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WATERFALLS

With more than a dozen waterfalls cascading through Marquette County, spend an entire day exploring these natural wonders. A few of the favorites are listed below.

Alder Falls
Off County Road 550 near Big Bay, plunges 30 feet from a rock outcrop jutting out of a creek and continues to cascade over rocks lining the riverbed. The falls span about 15 feet across at their widest section.

Directions: From Marquette - Travel County Road 550 north toward Big Bay approximately 20 miles. As you approach the bridge over Alder Creek, you will see a "two-track" trail on your left (just south of the bridge and creek). Turn on to this trail and stay to the left trail of the the fork. Drive .6 of a mile and you will see a small sign on the right nailed to a tree that says "No motorized vehicles or litter please," park here. The trail starts here and is distinct but slopping towards the falls. The falls are about a 5 minute walk down a steep trail. You can hear the falls as you walk.

Big Pup Creek Falls
a lovely cascade in an interesting outcropping.

Directions: From Marquette - Travel County Road 550 north toward Big Bay approximately 23 miles to County Road 510. Travel about 7 miles (you will cross the steel bridge which spans the Yellow Dog River as directed for Yellow Dog (Hills Falls). Drive approximately 2 miles farther on the winding road. Just before the bridge about 60 yard. Park safely off to the side of the road before the bridge. Walk down the hill off the road right of way to the falls.

Black River Falls
Off County Road 581 near Ishpeming, is a quick hike along a scenic path bordered by majestic pines. Black River Falls plunges 20 feet into an impressive waterfall that can be viewed at the center of the river from an island easily accessed by a footbridge.

Directions: The falls are located 8 miles southwest of Ishpeming. Drive just west of Ishpeming, on US 41, (West Ishpeming Township). You'll come to a single blinking light with a Ford dealership on the corner. This is Lake Shore Drive. Turn left (south). Reset your trip meter now. Drive about 1.2 miles. You'll see a sign that says "National Mine". Turn right (south) after this sign. You'll come to a 4-way stop. This crossroad is County Road 581, turn right onto CR 581 and go approximately 8.1 miles where you'll see two signs which say "Island Lake Club" and "Falls". Make a right here (west). Go approximately .6 of a mile to a fork in the road. Take the right fork and drive about .3 of a mile which is County Road CCP and you'll see a sign that says "Falls". Turn right here, and go to the end where you'll see a parking area identified by a row of stones. Park here. The trail to Black River Falls is to the right of the parking area.

Carp River Falls
Directions: Carp River Falls are 3 1/2 miles southwest of Marquette. Heading west on US-41/M-28 turn south on County Road 492, across from the Marquette Mall. After about 2 blocks the road forks, take the right fork and continue on County Road 492 approximately 3.5 miles to Morgan Meadow Drive. Turn left, heading south, on Morgan Meadow Drive. Cross Meadow Creek, and turn left, heading east, onto the first trail road. There will be a sign which says "Dumping of refuse not permitted". Go approximately another .9 of a mile to where the creek again crosses under the road. Just past this point is a small parking area on the right. The trail to the falls is across from here. You will encounter the Unnamed Morgan Falls before reaching the Carp River Falls. You must cross above or below the falls and continue upstream along the Carp River for about .6 of a mile. The footpath type trail is rough and elevated so be careful!

Dead River Falls
These falls cascade several feet and is viewed from a rock plateau next to the river. After viewing Reany Falls(see below) and while parked at the power house parking lot, follow the power line by walking up the hill. About 300 ft. past the end of this hill is a section of aqueduct with painted words "falls" and an arrow pointing left. Follow the trail to the river about .4 of a mile (Note: trail is very steep).

Little Garlic Falls
Are approximately 12 miles north of Marquette. From Marquette, travel County Road 550 north toward Big Bay approximately 12 miles. Cross over the Little Garlic River bridge. Approximately .2 of a mile beyond the bridge is a two-track trail on the right. Park here just before a small bridge. The walking trail follows the northeast shore of the river about 1/2 mile to the falls.

Morgan Falls
are formed by a series of drops, six feet at its highest, as the water tumbles over the rocks lining the stream bed. The pattern continues for about 100 feet before the stream meanders slowly on its way.

Directions: Morgan Falls are 3 1/2 miles southwest of Marquette. Heading west on US-41/M-28 turn south on County Road 492, across from the Marquette Mall. After about 2 blocks the road forks, take the right fork and continue on County Road 492 approximately 3.5 miles to Morgan Meadow Drive. Turn left, heading south, on Morgan Meadow Drive. Cross Meadow Creek, and turn left, heading east, onto the first trail road. There will be a sign which says "Dumping of refuse not permitted". Go approximately another .9 of a mile to where the creek again crosses under the road. Just past this point is a small parking area on the right. The trail to the falls is across from here.

Pinnacle Falls
Located on the Yellow Dog River 8 miles southwest of Big Bay, this remote falls is situated between two towering hills in one of the most rugged areas of the Huron Mountains. The falls drop 25 feet over a small section of steep rocky outcroppings. The area is densely forested, and the 1/2 mile trail from the parking lot is steep.

Directions: From the intersection of County Road 550 and 510, take CR 510 3.2 miles to the “AAA” Road. Turn right on the AAA and travel 6 miles, turn left. Travel 1.2 miles to another intersection where you’ll turn left and continue an additional 4 miles to yet another intersection where you’ll turn right and travel .8 miles to a parking area. There is a small trail to follow out of the parking lot; follow the river upstream to the falls.

Reany Falls
Are a small but fast moving waterfall forming a series of rapids as it descends over the rocks jutting out of Reany Creek.

Directions: From Marquette on US 41/M-28, turn north on Wright Street (First street west of Westwood Mall). Drive about 3/4 miles and turn left onto Forestville Road. Drive about 2 1/2 miles. You will cross a steel bridge and come to a second bridge. As you cross the second bridge (before the Power Plant parking lot) you will see the falls to the right (Note: view Dead River Falls next).

Warner Falls
Are easily accessible and can be viewed from the road. The falls, located off M-35 near Palmer, plunge 20 feet into a still pool of water and continues a gently moving pathway between the widening banks of Warner Creek.

Directions: Travel approximately 8 miles west of Marquette on M-28 and turn left at the blinking yellow light onto M-35 heading south. Drive approximately 9 miles to Palmer and continue on M-35 for about .7 of a mile past the Handy Grocery. The falls are on the right side of the road. Park past the guard rail. Be sure to park fully off the road.

Unnamed Falls
Presents a spectacular view where you will be greeted with the roar of the water as it plunges 20 feet into Morgan Creek below. From the Unnamed Falls of Morgan Creek it is about a mile hike to Carp River Falls along challenging terrain.

Directions: From Marquette turn south on McClellan Avenue (Tommy's Restaurant on the corner). Drive about 2 1/2 miles on McClellan which then turns into County Road 553. Turn right onto the trail. On the right,just before the Carp River Bridge guard rails begin, you will see a two-track trail. Turn right onto trail, drive about 1 1/2 miles to a parking area about 400 yards from a wooden bridge. The trail head starts here. A steep bank takes you to the top of Unnamed Falls. Using the directions for the Unnamed Falls to reach the Carp River Falls, cross above or below Unnamed Falls, and walk upstream along the Carp River about .6 of a mile. This is rough and elevated terrain and is just a footpath type trail. CARP RIVER FALLS IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

Yellow Dog Falls
The trail to these falls (also known as Bushy Creek Falls) rises steeply through the Huron Mountains to a huge outcropping of the rock on the banks of the Yellow Dog River. Directly in front of this outcropping, the falls gradually drop about 20 feet through a deep, 10 foot wide chasm cut by the river through the stone, then continues downstream in a large section of rapids.*

Directions: From Marquette - Travel County Road 550 north toward Big Bay approximately 23 miles to County Road 510. Turn left (west) on County Road 510. Travel about 7 miles to the steel bridge across the Yellow Dog River. Park here on the left (south) side of the road. Follow the hiking trail on the south side of the river approximately 1/2 mile downstream. This is a nice walking trail with few ground obstacles. You will approach the falls from the top.

Sources: Marquette Country Convention & Visitors Bureau and *Laurie, Bill & Ruth Penrose. Pick up a guide to Michigan Waterfalls at a local book store.