Black Beach, Cascade River, and High Falls

We started our day at Black Beach, with charcoal-colored "sand" pounded by waves over decades from taconite (iron ore) tailings discarded in Lake Superior years earlier. Now, a scenic and delightful tourist destination, in the 1950s, this industrial pollution led to asbestos-like fibers in the local drinking water. (the rest of the story). All safe and lovely now, but this pollution helped get environmental laws to protect people. Continuing on, we passed Temperance River, which got its name in the 1860's because it has no sand bar (no bar) as it empties into Lake Superior. Ha-ha!

Next, we hiked the Cascade River trail with several views of waterfalls and cascades as the river drops through a tight gorge down to Lake Superior. After a picnic lunch, we visited Grand Portage National Monument, a historic trading post with exhibits explaining the trade between Native Americans, fur traders, and explorers.

Our last stop was Grand Portage State Park with the tallest waterfall in Minnesota (also on the Canadian border). We strolled up a boardwalk trail to the aptly (if unimaginately) named High Falls. This waterfall, gorges, and other rapids necessitated an 8 1/2 mile bypass (grand portage) as part of the extremely important trading route from the 1700's-1800's.

We crossed the border into Canada, and then drove to Thunder Bay, where we will stay for 2 nights.Read more