Wednesday began with an early morning sun which stayed with us all day. After a quick breakfast at the hotel we pulled out onto M28 and headed east. Our destination for the morning was Soo Junction, which consisted of one building and 2 port-a-johns about 2 miles off M28 and about 72 miles from Munising. But that's where we would board the narrow-gauge Toonerville Trolley for the 30-minute train ride to the Tahquamenon River. At that point we would board the Hiawatha for a 2-hour trip to the upper Tahquamenon Falls.
The train ride was fun and we got to see Bald Eagles chasing ravens (or the other way 'round?) and also a large group of Sandhill Cranes cavorting in a swamp (they would be in the very same spot on the return trip).
Once the train reached the river we disembarked from the train and boarded the Hiawatha. A few minutes later we were chugging along downriver headed for the falls.
At about 10 miles an hour the cruise was smooth, serene and full of trees, the odd beaver dams and lodges, an occasional camp, and of course trees. (Most of the camps on the upper part of the river were reached by river only, we were told). Our captain also provided lots of interpretive details along the route. He was clearly well-versed in local history and flora and fauna and his frequent comments were much appreciated.
About 1:30 we pulled into the dock above the upper falls and walked the 5/8 of a mile through a wooded path to stairs that would take us down to the view the falls. From our vantage point we could see the state park viewing area on the other side (see the photo below).
By 2:45 we were all back on board the boat and turned upriver heading home, as it were.
We arrived back at Soo Junction at 5:30 where we found our car just where we left it.
We then made our way to Newberry and turned off of M28 onto M123 toward Tahquamenon Falls State Park. It was getting late in the day but after nearly 30 miles from Newberry we found the Upper Falls and walked down to the viewing area. (From that point we could just barely make out where we had been earlier in the day on the other side of the river).
We then drove to the Lower Falls but as the sun was setting fast we didn't see much here but did get a glimpse of the two channels of falls.
Returning to M123 we headed back to Munising. It was getting pretty late by the time we got back and few places were available for dinner so we opted to stop at the Cooking Carberry for pizza again. Tasty and it's always fun to chat with those women.
Observations on Tahquamenon Falls: The Toonerville Trolley approach is fun and a nice way to spend the better part of a day just sitting and taking in the backwoods of the UP. But for anyone with a disability or difficulty in walking, seeing the falls is out of the question; and seeing the lower falls is not a possibility. Also the actual vantage point of the upper falls is severely limited, whereas you have many more viewing points from the state park. The state park is definitely the best place to see both upper and lower falls. Plenty of parking, good trails, good facilities, and easily accessed even by those with serious disabilities.
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| Soo Junction |
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| boarding the Toonerville Trolley |
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| narrow-gauge railroad |
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| a large swath of forest recently subjected to a fire |
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| Bald Eagle |
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| Sandhill Cranes |
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| Tahquamenon River |
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| Hiawatha |
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| beaver lodge |
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| the captain and interpretive guide |
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| camp along the river |
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| camp |
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| arriving above the falls |
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| the Upper Falls |
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| bit of a hike down to the viewing area |
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| path to the falls |
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| Tahquamenon Falls State Park, upper section; note the modern WC facility on the right |
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| our earlier vantage point can hardly be seen but is off to the far left in the trees |
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