Upper Falls
Upper Falls is the first drop of Falls River Falls as it flows from a residential part of L’Anse. Plenty of drops line Falls River in this area, stretching both upstream and downstream, this one being a smaller but scenic one just south of the US-41. The river drops suddenly over a ledge of basalt, framed in by tall green trees, emptying into a clear, wide pool with an old railroad trestle above the calm downstream water.
Directions
A path leads south from US-41 on the east side of the bridge, right next to the guard rail. Park off the highway and follow the path upstream, which heads down the bank to the falls after crossing the railroad tracks.
Photographs
Visits
Seen in June, September and December.
- still mostly exposed
These drops were still mostly exposed, with some ice following the water's path over and down the rocky ledges, making interesting ice formations.
To avoid the nasty orange sludge that tends to collect on the footings we jumped into the river and waded, knee-deep in the cool water, past the bridges. When we reached the large, flat rocks below the waterfall we sprawled out, drying out our legs in the hot afternoon sun. It was nice to rest for a bit before this pretty little waterfall.
This upper drop was very pretty, more of a direct plunge than the lower falls, thick trees hemming both sides. Going under the first trestle wasn't bad, but the bridge for US-41 had drains that leaked yellow-orange sludge onto the footings and nearby rocks. As I peered ahead, planning our watery route up, a train started passing over the first trestle.
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