Bay City, Michigan 48706
Front Page 03/29/2024 01:00 About us
www.mybaycity.com February 17, 2015
(Prior Story)   Outdoors ArTicle 9700   (Next Story)


Tahquamenon Falls in its Winter Splendor.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Upper Tahquamenon Falls In the Winter - Spectacular

Much more than frozen water

February 17, 2015       2 Comments
By: John Keuvelaar

Printer Friendly Story View

(EDITOR'S NOTE: MyBayCity feature writer John Keuvelaar recently spent time in Northern Michigan with his family. He has documented his time at Tahquamenon Falls (Lower & Upper)-- This is the first of a two-part series.

With winter's grip firmly holding on, it was time for a family road trip. As crazy as it sounds, the choice was to head north and view the Tahquamenon Falls in their icy embrace. Many of us have seen photos of that root beer water cascading over the edge with winter's white surrounding it all. Nice we say with thoughts of boy, does that look cold. What we discovered is that this just may be Tahquamenon at its most Spectacular Best.

The ride up I-75 revealed some nice winter scenery as the sun started to rise. Crossing Big Mack into the UP changed that perspective. Driving up M 123 toward Paradise started to feel like Christmas morning. We could feel the excitement and anticipation rise as we viewed the fluffy snow clinging to cedars, pines and various hardwood branches. Almost within sight of Whitefish Bay, we stumbled upon a meandering stream with over a foot of snow softly sculptured on the logs that lay across the water. The contrast of whites, grays, greens, browns and dark water caused us to boil with excitement. Bursting from the van Johnny started snapping pictures while Caitlyn and Mya, our golden retriever quickly discovered that the snow depth along the road was over two feet. Amy stayed in the van enjoying every bit of the scenery but staying a bit warmer.


A streams meanders along the roadside.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Passing through Paradise, we turned toward the Falls and the ten mile journey to get there. The well maintained road was not dirtied by sand or salt adding to the near virgin snow that coated the trees along the way and deep into the woods. I wondered if we would ever get to the falls as we constantly stopped along the way to view and photograph the scenery.


You could look deeply into the woods.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Surprised how well maintained the roads were.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Arriving at the Park, we were one of only four vehicles there. More motorists did arrive later. But there were plenty of snowmobilers as they dotted the many trails throughout the woods. The rustic building added to the mystique of the area as we disembarked and headed down the hard packed path toward the falls. This was a nature walk like none other and the trees blocked much of the wind keeping it comfortable. Cross country ski and snowshoe trails crisscrossed throughout the woods with their lanterns poised for the weekend night excursions in February.



(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)


(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Arriving at the river bluff edge trail, the wooden fences with their snow covered rails served as a doorman inviting us to step in and view the specter that is the falls. As we arrived at one of the three main viewing points, there she was, in all her slender, Lady Tahquamenon Falls. I've viewed the Falls in summer's full water rush and falls colorful glory, but there was something different, something special of this sight. At the first of three overviews, a portion of the falls revealed the root beer colored water we have come to know and enjoy. Along another section was ice sculpting, rising from the river floor and layered in grooved sections to the top of the falls. On the far side, draping down from the cliffs were massive icicles in their various colors touching the floor. And flowing into the top of the falls is the river, lined with snow glistening pines and hardwoods giving that dramatic touch.

We moved to the second overlook which is not only closer to the falls, but the view is more open. It revealed another angle that allowed you to see more of the ice sculpted details. You almost wanted to pull up a chair and take it all in for hours. Almost, I say, as the cold still reminded you of how and why this formation occurred. The top of a bench peaked out from under the snow letting you know just how deep the snow really is.


You can't help think of a root beer float.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

The top of the bench peeks out of the winter snow.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Moving on towards the top of the falls overview we reached the steps. The metal grating that makes up the steps was cleared off for safety, while the wooded framework, which makes up the steps framework, you swear was "cleared off" for beauty. I questioned making the 94 step descent to see the top view of the waterfall but hey, we've come this far and I'm not chancing missing out on any view. And boy, what a view we saw. The up close and personal view in and of itself was amazing. But what we couldn't possibly see from above was the curtain of rainbow colored icicles that reached down from the bluff we were just standing on to the riverbed floor. The beauty of it all sure made the journey well worthwhile.


Mya waits for Caitlyn to finish her climb back up the stairs.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

the icicle curtain was magnificent.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Alas, the journey back up the stairs.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

With much reluctance but knowing there was more to see, we headed back to the parking lot. More importantly, we visited the Tahquamenon Falls Pub and Brewery for a hot meal and to reflect on the days venture. While viewing the falls is much more comfortable in short sleeves or a light jacket, winter layering allowed us to see what may be Tahquamenon Falls at its most Spectacular.

As a side note, watching the weather reports and coming a day early ahead of the arctic blast negative temperatures didn't hurt either.

Printer Friendly Story View
Prior Article

February 10, 2020
by: Rachel Reh
Family Winter Fun Fest is BACC Hot Spot for 2/10/2020
Next Article

February 2, 2020
by: Kathy Rupert-Mathews
MOVIE REVIEW: "Just Mercy" ... You Will Shed Tears, or at Least You Should

"The BUZZ" - Read Feedback From Readers!

woodman1 Says:       On February 16, 2015 at 06:58 PM
Nice article John. My son and I just visited the Falls on New Years Eve, except we ventured there by snowmobile. It was a great ride through the woods from Newberry! It's been a while since I was there last, and this was my son's first time there... he was quite impressed. There was a guy from Milwaukee who was there taking pictures for a Wisconsin outdoor magazine.
ggreve Says:       On February 19, 2015 at 08:34 PM
Beautiful photographs, John, and the progression of the story really involves the reader. Thanks so much for sharing. It's a terrific reminder to get outdoors and behold all that Michigan has to offer all year round.
Agree? or Disagree?


John Keuvelaar

John Keuvelaar is a college student at Midwest Photography Workshops and Delta College.

More from John Keuvelaar

Send This Story to a Friend!       Letter to the editor       Link to this Story
Printer-Friendly Story View


--- Advertisments ---
     


0200 Nd: 03-25-2024 d 4 cpr 0






12/31/2020 P3v3-0200-Ad.cfm

SPONSORED LINKS



12/31/2020 drop ads P3v3-0200-Ad.cfm


Designed at OJ Advertising, Inc. (V3) (v3) Software by Mid-Michigan Computer Consultants
Bay City, Michigan USA
All Photographs and Content Copyright © 1998 - 2024 by OJA/MMCC. They may be used by permission only.
P3V3-0200 (1) 0   ID:Default   UserID:Default   Type:reader   R:x   PubID:mbC   NewspaperID:NewspaperID
  pid:1560   pd:11-18-2012   nd:2024-03-25   ax:2024-03-29   Site:5   ArticleID:9700   MaxA: 999999   MaxAA: 999999
claudebot