Duluth (Gooseberry Falls State Park)

This morning I drove up to Gooseberry Falls State Park . It was a perfect Fall day, which fortunately started off with a nice cloud cover. The main falls (lower, middle, upper) are all easily reached by paved paths a short distance from the visitor center. However, there is also the option to walk out on the rocks for better views. I arrived early, it was a Monday, and school is in session, so I had very little company, at least for a while. Even when people started arriving, it was mostly folks of my generation, not inclined to climb around on the rocks or swim in the falls. One frustration with the lower and middle falls is because they have bridges above them it is very difficult to keep them out of the frame. The upper falls had a clean background.

Once I photographed the three main falls, I headed out for a three mile loop hike up to Fifth falls. I’m still not sure what might have been the fourth falls. This was a rather rough trail with lots of roots and rocks, although it did have stairs and boardwalks in places. I suspect the construction was more to protect the environment from erosion than for hiker convenience. The trail did provide access the river at many points, and several areas provided opportunities to work with smaller rapids and reflections. By the time I made it to the top, about noon, the clouds had cleared and the light was harsh. So I did not get a great shot of Fifth falls. The hike back was still very pleasant. I am enjoying being able to hike without sweat dripping in my eyes and not having to constantly drench myself in bug spray and even with that, swat at bugs. Given that the state bird of Minnesota is the mosquito, I’m grateful to have missed the worst of that season. I’m more than aware that soon enough I’ll be experiencing full winter in the North, so I am enjoying each beautiful Fall day.

Once I got back to the main area, I saw that moderate crowds had appeared and it was definitely time to make my exit. Before I did, I had a nice chat with Denny and Marna. I frequently get the reaction that I am somehow brave or courageous to do this trip, especially as a woman alone. Honestly, that has not been an issue for me. But I have also been a solo traveler for much of my life, so this does not feel any different. And to be fair, I am meeting friends in many states, which serves as a nice touchstone.

Tomorrow I will drive back up the coast again, but continue past the Park on the Northern Scenic Byway. I seem to have lost the wonderful Fall color that I had in Wisconsin, so I am hoping some nice foliage might reappear further North.

Additional images can be found in the Gallery .