Fabulous Frozen Falls
Almost everyone who travels the North Shore of Lake Superior has seen Gooseberry Falls. Years ago the parking was right alongside Highway 61 and the visitor center was adjacent to the Highway making it a convenient place to stop. Before the new bridge was installed anyone traveling on Highway 61 could get a glimpse of a portion of the falls.
The Visitor Center is tucked away now but visitors still flock to see the spectacular Gooseberry Falls. In the summertime it’s rarely a peaceful place in spite of the cascading falls and trails through the woods. Too many folks have heard how beautiful it is and they frolick in the falls and climb on the rocks making a photo without a person in it almost impossible.
In the wintertime is when Gooseberry Falls become magical once again. Gone are the crowds of people and it’s possible to snowshoe through the State Park without encountering another person. And to experience a waterfall that has been frozen in time by cold temperatures is an experience like no other.
I haven’t been to Gooseberry Falls yet this winter but I have visited a couple of other ones. To listen to the water as it flows beneath and through the ice is a mesmerizing sound. The formations water falls make in the winter are some of the most interesting you’ll see.
According to Paul Sundberg you won’t want to miss Gooseberry in all her glory this winter. But if you do then find some frozen falls of your own and savor them and the serene setting.
This winter’s
By Melissa Ganje & photojournalist Carrie Kohlmeier, FOX 21 News GOOSEBERRY FALLS – Known as the gateway to the
Nestled along Lake Superior’s
"You have to see the ice to experience the beauty of it, it’s so beautiful,"
said park manager Paul Sundberg.
Sundberg has been the park manager since 1983; he says this is one of the most exceptional ice flows he’s seen on the lower falls.
"There is just thousands and thousands of pounds of ice that have formed in layers so there is just thousands of icicles that are hanging in the front and have formed together; it’s just fabulous," he said.
Every year a cedar tree above the falls forces water away from the rock, and it freezes in place so you can actually step behind the lower falls.
"The water keeps running over the top and down again so now we got layer upon layer of ice formed across the face of the lower falls," Sundberg said.
The sound of the water calms your soul.
"The water is so neat; you can hear the water from behind the waterfalls, you can hear it from below at the base where it’s gurgling up and you can also hear the water in the rapids further down here," Sundberg said.
It’s a peaceful outdoor experience Sundberg takes advantage of every day.
"I come down here after work or early in the morning just on my own just because I just love seeing this, and I [also] photograph it," he said.
"When you take pictures of the ice it’s just so unique because it changes daily."
Last Saturday, nearly 1,000 people visited the park.
"I’ve been sending a lot of people down here and they are always saying, ‘Wow, I didn’t expect it to be that beautiful,’" Sundberg said.
Sundberg says the trails at
For more information on
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/gooseberry_falls/index.html