High Falls? “You got to check out High Falls”. After a few more recommendations – I had no choice but to set my sights on High Falls. It had been a few days since I went on a good hike anyway. I was due. So the plan was in motion – I set out for High Falls near the Canada-US Border south of Thunder Bay, Ontario and North of Minnesota, USA. But a funny thing happen on the way – I ran into another attraction.
On my way out of Thunder Bay I came across the sign for the Fort Williams Historical Site. An item on my list still to research. So I pulled in and slung on my hand-dandy photo backpack and locked in for some history.
Voyageurs Canoe Ride on Kaministiquia River in Fort Williams Park
Unlike other historical sites I have researched this one had a 500 metre forested path leading to the river and fort entrance. The fort was well hidden behind the trees. Outside the entrance of the fort was a First Nation Camp and some Voyageur Canoe Rides. Both sites occupied with actors from the era. The First Nation Camp caught my interest as I have a fixation on First Nation culture and history. There love and respect for nature and art back then was admirable.
The fort itself is large. Many buildings. There are actors walking about living the lives of history. One works a fur trading post, another is playing the bag pipes in the centre court, another is hanging furs and group of wives sit on a porch talking gossip.
Also on site was a tall lookout tower. From the top you could see the whole fort below you and the river. In its day it was the eyes and ears of the fort.
My attention soon wandered back to High Falls. The information I had was sketchy but I was still eager to explore. “The trail head is before the US/Canada border by a bridge on Hwy #61 South,” I was told. Hmmm.. not much to go on. Another adventure I am thinking. Sounds fun.
As I neared the border there was a tourist info centre. I sensed an opportunity to raid them for information about High Falls. I walked in and got a map and soon found out that the High Falls Trail starts at the tourist centre (the very spot I stand on) and the trail is part of the Pigeon River Provincial Park. An even Bigger Score!
In the park there were many trails to explore. I decided I would loop some of them together and make a longer hike. To do this I needed to do a bit of back tracking on some of the trails to hook up to the trailheads. All in all it was a 9 kilometre hike exploring the High Falls, Boardwalk and Finger Point Trails.
I started with the short but sweet boardwalk trail leading to a viewpoint on Lake superior. The path is all boardwalk, perfect for strollers and wheelchairs. The views from the lookout stretch for kilometres touching the horizon where lake and sky meet. I soon headed back to the connector path at the beginning of the Boardwalk Trail which leads to the High Falls and Finger Point Trails.
High Falls was as advertised. The single track dirt trail wanders through a forest, high stepping tree roots and boulders along the way, eventually hooking up to a boardwalk trail which swings around the canyon ridge ultimately connecting to a lookout platform fronting the great falls. I choose my own route – go figure – leading to the other side of the canyon, on the opposite side of the lookout. My own spot – just ridge and rock cliff – close enough to feel the mist rising from the falls. It was from here I had lunch and took my pictures. (main photo)
I finished up and back tracked 2 kilometres to the Finger Point Trailhead. This hike had its good and bad points. It delivered big time in scenery. It let me down too as it was along this portion of the trail I lost my funky white sunglasses. During the hike I had to endure a few branch head shots and I think one of them batted the glasses straight off the top of my head right out of the park. That would be three pairs this year that I have had to say goodbye to. What is it with me and sunglasses?
The Finger Point Trail was a mixture of forest and boulder hiking as you traverse along the shoreline of Lake Superior. At one point you can access the shore of the big lake and a beach covered in driftwood. It is here I found a walking stick for the rest of my trip to the point.
Finger Point Lookout in Pigeon River Provincial Park
At about the 1 kilometre point from the lookout the trail starts to climb uphill. As you get closer to the point the trail turns from dirt to loose shale and it becomes steeper. But the efforts of my footwork accompanied by my walking stick got me to the point in good time. I had good sun still which means good pictures.
There was no one to be found at the point. How lucky was I! It was my island for the time being. I was alone on Finger Point at its highest elevation of 240 metres above sea level. I could see everywhere. From my viewpoint I could see the US, Lake Superior, Pigeon Bay, Little Pigeon Bay and the Boundary Islands.
At the lookout point there was a a large wooden bench looking out onto Lake Superior. It was here I took in the view. I spent some time absorbing the scenery until the sun indicated I should be heading back. I did have a 3 kilometre hike back to the parking lot through forest and boulders.
It was grand day. A sunshine day in paradise.