Plumbago Falls

Most of Plumbago Creek is swampy, a chain of beaver-infested ponds and marshes that slowly drains down to Plumbago Lake by Alberta. There are several small rapids scattered along the length and one surprisingly large waterfall far upstream. Draining some deep grassy pools high up on the hills the creek tumbles sharply down a deep rocky gorge, over and around boulders and bedrock, forming several significant plunges along the way. A few more open drops lie a few dozen yards downstream of the cluttered gorge.

Directions

Park on the south shore of Lake Plumbago at Preacher Park off of US-41, across the road from Alberta about 8 miles south of L’Anse. There is an overgrown and gated two-track south of the park that is directly across from Alberta’s entrance. Either follow the road southeast or take the footpaths along Lake Plumbago. The footpaths tend to wander and die out even if they are more scenic.

Take the first fork left past the open clearing at .3 miles. There are more forks along the way, try to stick to the main road past them all. You don’t want to head down towards the creek too soon or climb too far up the hill, just be parallel the creek for the entire hike. Over 2 miles from 41 the road curves 90 degrees to the right and the creek climbs up out of it’s narrow valley and should be audible. The falls are here, along this bend.