Reset search
Lake Superior Loop
  • Martha Sleutel
Current
  • Martha Sleutel

Lake Superior Loop

A 19-day circle drive around Lake Superior. Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
InsightsCalendarPhotos
  • Currently in
    🇨🇦 Thunder Bay, Canada
    Martha SleutelLake Superior LoopMartha Sleutel
    Jane on Black Beach, Minnesota
    Lovely trail to waterfallsOne of several waterfalls at Cascade River State ParkMore cascadesFinal view of Cascade River SPMe at High Falls on Canadian borderHigh Falls and valleyJane and I at High FallsFinal view of High Falls

    Black Beach, Cascade River, and High Falls

    Yesterday in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    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

  • Martha SleutelLake Superior LoopMartha Sleutel
    2Split Rock Lighthouse
    1Shoreline view from lighthouse grounds2View back toward lighthouse from rocky beach strollView from Southwest of lighthouse grounds2Charlie and I on rocky beachView from tall cliffs down to silhouetted fishing boat at Tettegouche State ParkView from cliffside trail down to Lake Superior and another set of cliffsMy sister snagged this amazing photo from our cliffside hike!So many lovely views of the forested beach and cliffs along Lake SuperiorPretty inlet at end of Shovel Point TrailCharlie, Jane, and I at end of Shovel Point TrailSea caves and forest viewed from trail

    Split Rock Lighthouse and Tettegouche State Park

    August 13 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    We started our day at Split Rock Lighthouse, which was immaculately maintained, and, of course, had phenomenal views. There had been many shipwrecks due to fog and the rocky coast, including the Edmund Fitzgerald, a day's journey by water from this area. The Edmund Fitzgerald was more modern, in 1975, and was carrying the same type of iron pellots we saw being loaded yesterday. Apparently, wave heights were 25-35 feet tall with hurricane force winds, which is not uncommon for Lake Superior. After visiting the lighthouse, we strolled along the scenic rocky coast before eating a picnic lunch.

    In the afternoon, we drove further North to Tettegouche State Park. The name is a derivation from a French-Canadian word meaning "meeting place". This area has dramatic volcanic cliffs, where we saw several rock climbers with ropes (not for me, thank you very much!). There are sea caves and stunning views of the azure lake. See photos.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelLake Superior LoopMartha Sleutel
    First views of Lake Superior
    Hazy sky turning blueTwo Harbors LighthouseIron ore dock with ship being loadedThe black and white ship is so huge, it looks like a buildingGooseberry River flowing to Lake SuperiorFirst view of middle fallsMiddle falls with pondUpper FallsJane and Charlie at Upper FallsAnother view of Upper FallsCharlie alongside Gooseberry RiverLovely, magical Gooseberry River

    First Views of Lake Superior

    August 11 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    We flew into Minneapolis yesterday and met up with my sister, Jane, at our hotel there. (I was disappointed that it was 93 degrees and humid when we arrived). Once we got near Lake Superior today, the temperatures were marvelous - 70s! We drove to Two Harbors, a small town with a lovely lighthouse (oldest in the state). At the Two Harbors Bay, we saw the 7-story iron ore docks where taconite pellots were being transferred from the Canadian Railway and onto a massive Great Lakes freighter ship for transport to steel mills.

    We spent the rest of the afternoon at lovely Gooseberry Falls State Park. We strolled along the Gooseberry River and enjoyed views of Upper and Middle Falls. See photos!    Read more

    Trip start
    August 11, 2026