Lower Falls
Right outside of L’Anse and within easy walking distance of both US-41 and downtown, Falls River is a staple of Baraga County waterfalls. A multitude of drops line the mile and a half before the river flows into Keweenaw Bay, with Lower Falls being the downstream stretch. This waterfall is a long, sloped slide over slate rocks, right below the large Middle Falls. A narrow chute in an old cement dam forms a smaller drop downstream from Lower Falls.
Directions
The easiest way to reach Lower Falls is from downtown L’Anse. Park near the marina and head towards the river, traveling west on Main Street. Before crossing Falls River on the bridge turn and stay on the east bank, walking upstream. Lower Falls is just beyond the cement dam.
If you’re coming down from the highway then keep on the path from the highway. Lower Falls is a short distance downstream from Middle Falls, right past the sharp east bend.
Photographs
Visits
Seen in June and December.
- far less ice than the rivers inland
I started to notice something interesting along the walk: there was a lot less ice on this river. This was surprising to me, as the size of Falls River is a fraction of Sturgeon. Then it sunk in. I was over six hundred feet lower in elevation. There were a few icy sections on the river thanks to exposed outcroppings, just enough to make the scenes interesting.
The first small waterfall was a funneling of the wide waters through an old cement dam structure. Solid rock reached across and started diverting the river here too, replacing the gravelly riverbed and causing small, swirling drops and rapids. The next drop upstream was an elongated, even slide; it wasn't a sheer drop or plunge, but it was easily five feet tall and made for a very pretty waterfall.
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