Hiking Canyon Falls, Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Continuing with the wonderful theme of amazing waterfalls after thunderstorms, I visited Canyon Falls. While the name itself is not very imaginable, the sights to behold are glorious. 

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

I find the colors to be exquisite and a natural part of the wilderness of Northern Michigan. Canyon Falls is one of the easier Falls to see of the Upper Peninsula and I would highly recommend it.