Below: First a few notes about the campground, then the hike. 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. |
|
|
There are 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-guiding, 1 1/2-mile trail which follows the Whitesand
River before crossing the falls. The first part of the trail is a long
wooden walk with stairs that lead down to the falls. There are several
places to hop off and get closer views of the rushing water. At the
bridge, the trail leads 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 you will see below. |
| |
FYI Other Trails: Those wishing
to continue on (not the two RV Gypsies though) will 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. Here are terrific views of Lake Superior and the surrounding
hills. The trail winds over this rocky stretch before funneling into
a spruce forest. |
| |
Below: Now back to the two
RV Gypsies on the Rainbow Falls Trail - Lee Duquette walked 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! |
|
|
Below: AS mentioned above,
along the way there were designated openings where the cascading water
could be seen 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 seen in the photo below on the right. Just look
at the natural beauty in these photos at Rainbow Falls. - No, the
two RV Gypsies did not see any rainbows here today. |
|
|
|
|
Below: Karen Duquette took a picture
of Lee Duquette as he took the picture shown on the right below. |
|
|
Below: Karen Duquette took a picture
of Lee Duquette again as he took the picture shown on the left below. |
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Below: Karen Duquette took a few steps to the side of the boardwalk
for a look through the trees at the cascading water.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below: The two RV Gypsies
walked on the bridge and got great views of Rainbow Falls. |
|
Below: A view from each
side of the bridge |
|
|
Below: Karen Duquette on the bridge with
the waterfall behind her, plus a photo shot taken through the slots
on the bridge. |
|
|
Below is a zoomed-in shot of Rainbow
Falls as seen from the bridge |
|
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 that plunged over the rock ledges
of Rainbow Falls on their way to Lake Superior. |
 |
|
|
|
Below: A a final look as
the water quickly flowed away from the bridge |
|
Back at the campground itself,
the two RV Gypsies took a ride to the boat launch area, and saw lots
of yellow butterflies. |
|
|
.jpg)
AFTER you have seen all six sections above,