Canyon Falls is right off of Route 41 South of L'Anse Michigan. The hike to the falls is a relatively flat half a mile. Along the way the Bocco Creek was nearly jumping its banks given the recent storms. It was a preview of what was to come.
I could hear the falls from the parking lot, adding to the anticipation. There were several smaller and larger falls interconnected by rapids. The largest of the falls was an intense torrent. Getting up and close felt precipitous. The roar of the falls was vibrating the very rocks I was standing on. From here the river cascades through a very narrow gorge and runs down a second set of smaller falls.
A number of the rivers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are black water Rivers. I believe this is what gives the waterfalls such a distinct copper tone- almost the same color as iced tea. Tannins are responsible for the unique color. Tahquamenon Falls is the famous waterfall of the UP that is on a blackwater river but several others exist.
Tannin-stained blackwater |
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