Snow was falling as I hiked down the trail.
Looking ahead, I saw the sign said 96 steps down to the observation deck.
Normally 96 steps isn’t something I worry about.
But I learned a couple weeks ago when I was walking down steps near Niagara Falls in single digit temperatures that an outdoor staircase can be slippery. And downright dangerous when the steps are covered with ice.
After stepping off the trail a few minutes earlier and finding myself stuck in a snow drift over my knees, I was a bit cautious.
A couple finished their climb up the steps from the observation deck.
“How are the steps?” I asked. Good, the woman replied.
She continued, “They’ve built them well for the winter season. They’re metal grid steps with lots of openings to drain and they have grippers on the edge.”
“Perfect. Thanks,” I replied. I started my descent down the tiers of steps to the sound of rushing water falling into the Tahquamenon River.
Tahquamenon Falls
Located in Tahquamenon Falls State Park in the Upper Peninsula, Tahquamenon Falls is one of my favorite places to visit in Michigan.
There are two waterfalls in the park, the Upper Falls and Lower Falls; this weekend I visited the Upper Falls.
I’ve seen the waterfalls many times over the years in the spring, summer, and autumn. I’ve enjoyed hikes, exploring the woods in search of spring flowers, and catching the beautiful fall colors.
But seeing the waterfalls in winter is a totally different experience.
Trail to the Falls
The trail to the falls is easy to find; you follow the footprints through the woods. There’s no trail to see, it’s completely covered with trampled snow.
And you don’t realize how deep the snow is on the trampled-down trail (two-three feet deep) until you step off the trail, as I did.
When you walk down the trail, you’re surrounded by hemlock trees covered with snow that form beautiful patterns on the branches.
Young beech saplings haven’t lost their leaves for the winter; their golden leaves shine brightly against the white snow and green of the hemlocks.
View of the Falls from the Observation Deck
When you reach the observation deck, you’ll get a close-up view of the frozen waterfalls covered with snow, and water rushing over the edge and tumbling down almost 50 feet to the Tahquamenon River.
It’s an incredible sight. Here’s another view showing the long icicles on the opposite side of the falls from the observation deck.
Wondering why the water is brown-colored?
It’s not mud or rust. It’s caused from the tannins from the spruce, hemlock, and cedar swamps that drain into the river and color the water.
Have you visited Tahquamenon Falls?
