The two RV Gypsies
parked their RV at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park. This is a wooded campground
and there were a lot of mosquitoes. There was absolutely no TV, and
no Wi-Fi. No water hook-up. No sewer hook-up. Yet it was still $38 a
night. On the plus side, there were no trains and no road noise. The
park had a boat launch area and swimming access at Whitesand Lake. Check-out
time was 2 P.M. Many of the employees were students hired under the
Summer Experience Program.
The best part about this park was that Rainbow Falls is located within the park. Rainbow Falls is a short trail on a nice wooden boardwalk, however there were 179 stairs each way - that makes 356 stairs round trip. So scroll down, and check out the Rainbow Falls and the trail that is within the Provincial Park. Remember to be always be careful when you hike. You and only you are responsible for your own safety. |
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There were three (3) trails to explore within the park, as well as a segment of the larger Voyageur Hiking Trail.
Rainbow Falls Trail - the one the two RV Gypsies took: This is a self-guided 1-1/2-mile trail which followed the Whitesand River before crossing the falls. The first part of the trail had a long wooden walk with stairs that led down to the falls. There were several places to hop off and get closer views of the rushing water. At the bridge, the trail led up into the sloping hillsides to a set of overlooks with marvelous views of Whitesand Lake as well as Lake Superior and its many islands. These are the photos that can be seen below. |
FYI: Those wishing to continue
on should see signs for the Casque-Isles section of the Voyageur Hiking
Trail. This is a 30-mile stretch of trail that winds along the shores
of Superior from Terrace Bay to Rossport.
Back 40 Trail: Rated as the most challenging of the park's trails, the Back 40 is a 1-1/2-mile climb that reveals grand vistas of the two lakes and surrounding country.
Superior Trail: The Superior Trail begins with a series of high, rocky steps that terminate on a flat slab of Canadian Shield to terrific views of Lake Superior and the surrounding hills. The trail winds over a very rocky stretch before funneling into a spruce forest. |
Now back to the two RV Gypsies
on the Rainbow Falls Trail - Lee Duquette is seen below, going backwards
down a few of those stairs mentioned above. He just finds it easier
on his knees to walk down the stairs backwards. Hey, whatever works! |
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Below: As mentioned above,
along the way there were designated openings where the cascading water
was seen by the two RV Gypsies via an easy walk off to the side of the
boardwalk for some photographs, Benches were also provided at that point
for those in need of a rest, as you can see in the photo below right.
Just look at the natural beauty in these photos at Rainbow Falls. No,
the two RV Gypsies did not see any rainbows here on this date. |
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Below: Karen Duquette took a picture
of Lee Duquette as he took the picture shown on the right below. |
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Below: Karen Duquette took a picture
of Lee Duquette again as he took the picture shown on the left below. |
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Below: Karen Duquette
took a break to enjoy the water flowing past her. The river and falls
have been shaped by the cracks of the bedrock below. The erratic jointing
has caused the river to run over a number of ledges and drop in a series
of cascades rather than one large fall.
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Below: Karen Duquette took
a few steps to the side of the boardwalk for a look through the trees
at the cascading water. |
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Below: The
two RV Gypsies arrived on the bridge and got a great view of Rainbow
Falls. |
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Below: A view from each side of the bridge |
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Below: Karen Duquette on the bridge with the waterfall
behind her, and a shot taken through the slots on the bridge. |
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Below is a zoomed-in shot of Rainbow Falls as seen from the bridge |
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Below: The two RV Gypsies
crossed over the bridge and walked a few feet to get a look back towards
the bridge and the cascading waters plunging over the rock ledges of
Rainbow Falls on their way to Lake Superior. |
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Below: And then a final
look as the water quickly flowed away from the bridge. |
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Below: Back at the campground
itself, the two RV Gypsies took a walk to the boat launch area, and
saw lots of yellow butterflies. |
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AFTER
you have seen all six sections above, 
