Falls River Middle and Lower Falls
The Falls River has numerous waterfalls within the Village of Lanse, a small community on the shores of the Keweenaw Bay.
The Falls River has humble beginnings where the Ogemaw and Burns Creeks converge and flows near the L’Anse Golf Club and Bovine before tumbling over a handful of waterfalls and dumping into the Keweenaw Bay.
Power Dam Falls and Power House Falls are situated upstream, and Upper Falls River Falls is just upstream of US-41 near one of two railroad bridges in town. Middle Falls River Falls are long and picturesque, starting their journey under the second railroad bridge. Further downstream yet, Lower Falls River Falls is the most classic-looking waterfall in the bunch. After and in between, a handful of smaller drops and rapids are well worth enjoying.
After hearing about all these waterfalls, you might think there’s rugged wilderness next to downtown L’Anse. Whereas the area surrounding the falls is picturesque, the route to get there isn’t as much so.
There’s a parking area for the falls near the extension of L’Anse Waterfront Park near the Falls Rivermouth. From there, you cross Main Street and head up a trail between the river and the L’Anse Warden Electric Company, a power facility that supplies power to portions of the Upper Peninsula. On the other side of the river sits CertainTeed, a construction manufacturing company and one of the largest employers in Baraga County.
Between the power plant, manufacturing facility, the piping that runs over the river to connect the two, and the sea lamprey traps in the river, the first part of the hike feels a bit apocalyptic. However, the land you’re walking on is owned by the power company and if you cross the river, CertainTeed, so it’s nice that they allow people to access the falls. The Falls River has to be considered a navigable waterway, so even if the company decided to close the trail, we’d legally find a way to the falls either way. There has been a modern powerplant at the site since at least 1908 when one was built with a dam.
The trail is much more natural once you’re past the power plant and manufacturing facility. You’ll likely run into people fishing, depending on the time of year. The Falls River is one of the most popular trout destinations in Baraga County, and the Michigan DNR stocks fish yearly at various locations from the river mouth to Golf Course Road. Typically, I’ve found that the further upstream you go, the larger fish you’ll have the opportunity to catch. There are little guys upstream, too, but the big boys tend to hide up there, too.
It’s easy enough to get to the Middle and Lower Falls on the Falls River, and the view is so nice that it’s even easier to spend all day in their presence. There’s a bench that overlooks the middle falls, and getting up close and personal with the lower ones is no issue. Experiencing the lower falls from the riverbed is more challenging but not impossible.
We haven’t visited the Upper Falls yet, but it’s on our list!
