Winter continues to have a tight grip in Northern Minnesota. I love exploring the North Shore of Lake Superior in the winter even if it means trudging through deep snow to hike anywhere. The landscape seems so peaceful resting from a summer of growing. As I take in each detail of the rocky, icy rivers and waterfalls, little ice sculptures begin to appear. They’re so unique and beautiful! It’s calming to watch water rushing underneath these while trying to imagine how they’ve formed over the past couple of months.
To see the caverns tucked under the deep snow warns of possible danger should someone decide to venture over this ice cold water. Yet a peak at the snow above and ice below connected by each pillar of ice begs for a closer view. Deciding to walk out on top of this rushing water, following trails of others, I kneel down next to a rare open spot on the river to see frost clinging to these icicles. It’s mesmerized me causing me to forget it’s a cold, cloudy winter day next to the big lake. Reaching for the camera and focusing on the ice formations allows me to see even more of the detail coming together capturing them to admire over and over again. If only I had a macro lens with me and could get even closer to these, I would be lost here for hours.
At first sight, the rushing water grabs your attention. But after watching for awhile you begin to see details surround this small, open portion of Gooseberry River carrying it’s ice cold payload to Lake Superior a short distance away. The ice formations floating above the moving water connected to the snow above with small pillars of ice hiding the numerous caves just behind. Soon these will all be gone with spring quickly approaching. In the next couple of weeks, these ice sheets will begin to melt carrying these sculptures down the river. For today there is plenty of snow taking over the landscape creating a beautiful winter wonderland.
Moving up and down the waterfalls, there are many areas I would like to explore but the afternoon is moving quickly and daylight will run out. Time for a little hike along the river banks enjoying the views. I had hoped to get out and see the lake shore at least for a few minutes but no such opportunity today. There was still the long drive home to come. I could see Lake Superior through the canyon carved by this river from a distance. Ice covered near the shore with that familiar open blue water as you looked out over the lake. That would be as close to it as I would get for this trip.
Walking along the river, I was amazed at how much ice and snow was on top of the water. You could only tell by small areas of open water rushing downstream. The snow had to be four or five feet above these open areas. I couldn’t recall a time when I’ve seen the snow that deep. Once this all begins to melt I’m sure these waterfalls will be furious with all the water running over top. I’ll have to return in early spring to see it first hand.
