Copper Falls State Park is a 3,068-acre state park in Wisconsin. The park contains a section of the Bad River and its tributary the Tylers Forks, which flow through a gorge and drop over several waterfalls. Old Copper Culture Indians and later European settlers mined copper in the area. The state park was created in 1929 and amenities were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. In 2005 the park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a site with 10 contributing properties. ~wikipedia
We stopped by Copper Falls State Park on our way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A welcomed pit stop to get out and stretch our legs. The puppy-kid welcomed the pit stop as well – they had been sleeping since we left home for the most part.
Clover, Harley & Lucy
The Fall color was peaking in North Wisconsin along Rustic Road 95 on our way North and East toward the UP.
–Explore WI Rustic Roads–
Rustic Road 95
Copper Falls State Park was teaming with color. We didn’t take the time to hike out to the water falls here, but rather a quit walk about and a few iPhone photos. We had many more miles to travel to get to Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park.
Willow River State Park is a 2,891-acre Wisconsinstate 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.
It was a perfect morning to explore Willow River State Park. Photographing Willow Falls has been on my list for a long time now. At only 45 minutes from Red Wing, I am not sure why we haven’t been sooner. After seeing numerous posts on facebook, I could not resist any longer. The trail to Willow Falls is short, but steep. The steps up to the lookout after you cross the river via the bridge appeared to be numerous. We’ll have to explore the three lookouts on a return trip. I’d like to explore more of the entire park. In looking at the full map, there are several trails to hike throughout the parks 2,891 acres.
The trail to Willow Falls is short, but steep. The steps up to the lookout, after you cross the river via the bridge, appeared to be numerous. We’ll have to explore the three lookouts on a return trip. I’d like to explore more of the entire park. In looking at the full map, there are several trails to hike throughout the parks 2,891 acres.
The centerpiece of the park is Willow Falls, a powerful cascade in a 200-foot (61 m) 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
Santee Sioux and Ojibwa lived in the region and clashed over rights to wild rice lakes. European explorers witnessed one of their battles in 1795 at the mouth of the Willow River.
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. A German immigrant, Christian Burkhardt, realized the river could also be harnessed for the latter industry, and built a grist mill here 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. Some of the dams were removed in the 1990s to improve the scenery and trout fishery, and now only one remains. The land is still being restored from damming and farming. source-wikipedia
Copper Falls State Park is a 3,068-acre state park in Wisconsin. The park contains a section of the Bad River and its tributary the Tylers Forks, which flow through a gorge and drop over several waterfalls. Old Copper Culture Indians and later European settlers mined copper in the area. The state park was created in 1929 and amenities were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. In 2005 the park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a site with 10 contributing properties. ~wikipedia
