Willow River State Park

Willow River State Park is a 2,891-acre Wisconsin state park located five miles north of Hudson. The centerpiece of the park is Willow Falls, a powerful cascade in a 200-foot deep gorge. Another popular feature is Little Falls Lake, a shallow reservoir on the Willow River. Because of its proximity to Minneapolis-St. Paul it is one of the most visited state parks in Wisconsin. Trilobite fossils found in the lower layers of the gorge indicate the rock is around 600 million years old.

History

Settlers moved in, and by 1830 logging and wheat farming were common in the Willow River Valley. The river was invaluable for the former, as logs were floated downstream to the St. Croix.

Power

A German immigrant, Christian Burkhardt, realized the river could also be harnessed for the latter industry; he built a grist mill there in 1868. Burkhardt became a wealthy landowner and followed developments in water-powered industry. He traveled home to Germany to examine hydroelectric power plants and returned in 1891 to build his own on the Willow River. Burkhardt eventually built four power plants and dams on the river, which provided electricity to Hudson. Northern States Power purchased Burkhardt’s power company in 1945 and operated its sites until 1963, when damage to one of the plants from a lightning strike prompted the company to liquidate their Willow River holdings.

In 1967 Northern States Power sold the land to the Wisconsin Conservation Commission for a state park, and stabilized the dams at a financial loss. The state park opened in 1971.   All but one of the dams were removed in the 1990s to improve the scenery and trout fishery.  The last dam was removed in 2015. ~wikipedia

I feel absolutely fortunate to live among the lakes, rivers and bluff land right on the boarder between Minnesota and Wisconsin approximately an hour south of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.  Willow River State Park is another example of the natural resources and beauty right in my back yard so-to-speak.

There are a few different trails that you can hike to access Willow Falls.  The most direct route is from Willow Falls Parking Lot just a wee bit north of the park main entrance.  The Willow Falls Hill Trail is only a .4 miles long, but the first leg of the trail once you meet the woods is steep.  Having just had knee replacement surgery in January, the downhill part was a bit challenging.  A week ago there was 4″-6″ of slippery solid ice on the paved trail.  That attempt to hike to the Willow Falls was aborted immediate in favor of exploring other areas of the park.  I would recommend the mile long Willow Falls Trail from the campground to avoid the hill if that is a concern.

Little Falls

Little Falls Lake is no more as the dam was breached in 2015.  There is a small water fall where the dam once was, a rapids is a more accurate description I suppose.  The former lake basin was teaming with migratory birds that early Spring day.  Ducks, geese and Sandhill cranes milled about in the tall grasses where the water once stood.

Willow Falls

A week in the Spring time can bring about change quickly.  Mid 50 degree days made short work of the ice on the Willow Falls Hill Trail.  All of the runoff made for a magnificent display of water raging over the cascades.

The woods and falls area is still pretty devoid of color although some grasses were sprouting up and the mosses providing for some contrast in the blah brown hold over from Winter.  As did the bright purple hammock that a young lady hung between two trees for some R&R right next to the falls.  A wonderful spot to kick back and lounge.

 

Gear

In case anyone is wondering, I’ll share what works for me.  There are several ways to achieve desired results; this is my experience with the gear I’ve chosen.  You don’t have to buy the highest-end gear to achieve great results.

The sun was high and bright when I arrived at the falls.  I did several 20-30 second exposures made possible by a 10-stop ND filter listed below.  I purchased the Zomei tripod for our travels to Ireland in 2016.  It is compact and light; I’ve used it quite a bit since and like its features.  I am referencing the Osprey backpack because the Zomei tripod fits perfectly in the outer flap.  I don’t like to carry a heavy camera bag while hiking; this one is perfect – especially when coupled with PeakDesign Capture Camera Clip on the backpack should strap.  My camera is securely in place – freeing up both hands – and readily accessible.  If anyone has any questions about these items, I’d be happy to answer any questions.  You can click on the images below for links to these items on Amazon.com.

ZOMEi Z668C Lightweight Travel Carbon Fiber Tripod	Zomei Ultra Slim HD 18 Layer Super Multi-Coated SCHOTT Glass PRO 10-stop ND3.0
Osprey Packs Daylite Plus Daypack	Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 (Black with Plate)

Other

Photos from previous trip to Willow River State Park in the Winter.

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