Copper Falls
Copper Falls is basically composed of the main bulk of Owl Creek as it makes its tumultuous path down to Lake Superior. After flowing from Owl Lake the creek pours over a steep plunge at Upper Copper Falls where a blasted adit swallows up every last drop. The old mine entrance is not big enough to look or crawl down but does a good job diverting the water underground. The creekbed continues downstream, with multiple rock formations that only form flowing waterfalls when the tiny tributaries from the sides can refill the creek.
Upstream from Eagle Harbor Cutoff Road is a number of drops, including a wide, veil over slanted rock and some direct plunges off of broken spurs. Downstream from the road the creek’s gorge deepens as the rock changes to conglomerate, with the drops turning into deep chutes that are difficult to view. At least a dozen unique sets of drops line Owl Creek before it enters in the swampy, level ground of the stamp sands and lazily winds over to Lake Superior.
Directions
Drive along the Eagle Harbor Cutoff Road, bearing right on Copper Falls Loop (the second dirt road east of Copper Falls Park). Park before crossing Owl Creek and head upstream (if the water is flowing) to view a few falls. Head downstream, past Eagler Harbor Cutoff, to view the rest.
Plenty of other approaches work, with this creek holding so many unique drops over such a long stretch. You could head upstream from the stamp sand swamp, parking on Pine Street outside of Eagle Harbor. Or you could start further to the north by Owl Lake and Upper Copper Falls and just go downstream from the old (covered) mine entrance. The largest falls sit just south of the Cutoff Road, although the drops with the most flow are furthest downstream.
Photographs
Visits
Seen in April, July and October.
- the creek rebuilding its flow below the mine
More and more waterfalls showed up along the rocky bed. The ground drops close to two hundred feet from the upper falls and the creek looked to be wasting little time making up the difference. The two most impressive drops were located on either side of the tiny private drive that goes through the old company houses of the mine; the upper one was a sloped drop with multiple little cascades, and below the wooden bridge was a direct plunge that showered over a hard rock formation. At the old wooden dam and lower falls it was nice to see a stronger flow today, compared to the barest trickle from last year.
- very dry, weaker than the summer visit
The creek was pretty but very dry, the trickle of water even weaker than during my summer visit. Following it upstream we found the waterfall, a thin thread of water pouring over a volcanic chute and plunging down onto a pile of broken rocks. There was something strange about this scene: the creek below was dry, the rocks swallowing up every drop of water, and the waterfall was pouring directly into a rock-plugged hole in the ground.
- a trickling creekbed
The woods were terribly thick, prickly dry undergrowth clawing at us with every step, even after we jumped into the trickling creekbed in hopes of an easy path. We found a small drop over a jagged slope, surrounded by moss, with rusty remains lying around. I took a few pictures before we retreated back to the car, raw from the prickly growth.
Comments
12 comments
so when you took the loop you hiked up the hill following the stream bed and eventually came to a mine shaft cover and the pipe with cu falls on it? when i was there i followed the streambed up the hill but it did not seem to be getting me anywhere and my wife was waiting at the car too so i turne around. i want to go back but it seems like the ppl that live around there dont want any visitors
Yup - and it was not the best route by far. It wasn't a long walk, just very difficult. The easier route is to drive south along the Central cutoff road from Brockway Mt Drive about a half mile and follow the two-track on the left in. That will take you right past the mine shaft cover and the pipe. Also, you seem right about the visitors thing - I'm definitely not going on that loop next time.
What is the location of the roadside park with the spring?
Do you know if the spring is still flowing? (to get water)
Great website by the way!
Hi Christopher! The park is located along the Eagle Harbor Cutoff road, and it's called 'Copper Falls Park'. The spring is seasonal, I think, though it'd be tough to get water out of (quite overgrown). Thanks sir!
Went looking for these two weekends ago...took a right on dirt seasonal road after passing the Copper Falls park on the left. We went up there about .5 to 1 mile and could not locate it. Is this the right road...and if so where were we to park to find it?
Thanks!
Hi Lindsay.
I share your confusion as to how to see all the falls. I think the dirt road you speak of, before crossing the creek is a private road, so I avoided parking on it. The main road(Eagle Harbor Cutoff) itself has no shoulder, and the driveway marked Copper Falls Loop is also private! I had my girlfriend drop me off by the creek and pick me up 1/2 hour later, and was able to bushwhack upstream to see one falls. Went downstream several hundred yards and saw no big drops. Has become not any easy place to visit if you are not familiar with the area. Steve Jurmu of Funinthe UP.com does area tours, may give you some help...
Copper Falls Loop drive is marked as PRIVATE at both ends. May need to find another way to access these falls.
this is private property.
the entire area is private property.
Area is private. Land owner does not appreciate travel through there. Please stay out.
Actually polite hikers are welcome but we caution that other than spring melt (or heavy rain) there will be little flow and both falls are steep brush hikes on private land. Wheeled traffic is much discouraged because whenever it is wet enough for water to be running it is also wet enough to dig ruts in our roads.
Is the privately owned area where the old town site was? I ask because the next time I get up there I'd like to see that specifically. My gr-gr-grandparents were married there September 1, 1852 and all 6 of their children were born there. Thank you.
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