Cascade River State Park: Lookout Mountain, More Falls

Cascade River State Park – 3.5 miles, rocky uneven terrain, 5 small waterfalls, 600 feet in elevation: Bring it on.

This was our last hike on this trip up north, our fourth hike in three days. Not bad for a couple of old fogeys – although my husband would certainly want it recorded here that he is a veritable youth compared to me – not yet 60, whereas I passed that mile marker nearly two years ago.

There were rumors of rain coming, so we decided to do the hike earlier than planned, also hoping to avoid the big crowds of the day before. When we started out just before 9:00 a.m. it was another beautiful day. The parking lot was already full of cars, so we weren’t the only ones wanting to get an early start (if you can say that 9:00 a.m. is early).

Sometimes I wonder what’s involved with establishing the trails that we use at these parks. We have it so easy, for the most part, with groomed paths, stairways, bridges, and even fairly manageable rocky terrain. Trailblazers, I salute you!

It wasn’t long before we came to the first set of cascades along the Cascade River. One doesn’t like to become “ho-hum” about these things, but I caught myself just taking obligatory photos and wanting to move on, rather than fully enjoying the sight and sound of all that water flinging itself over the rocks. How sad to become blasé about anything God made, especially the more spectacular bits. My favorite part about waterfalls is how they mesmerize you. Am I the only one?

Onward we climbed. This was definitely a more challenging ascent than the trail at the Judge’s park. Lots more tangled roots, tricky stepping, and awkward angles.

We tend to go somewhat silent during these parts of the hike, concentrating on the next step and the exertion necessary to keep going. At least, that’s what I was doing. I call it Grim Determination Mode (GDM). Still found time to take a few “‘artsy” photos, though, and of course, there were more falls along the way.

This trail was part of the Superior Hiking Trail (the SHT, which I continue to insist is an unfortunate acronym). Kris noted that at another time in our lives, it might have been fun to consider hiking the SHT. I told him that if he was even thinking about doing it now, he’d have to get a trophy wife. He responded, “A trophy wife is one with whom you’re proud to be seen, who brings grace and glory to your life. I married her!” Yep, he’s a keeper! ❤️

We were headed to Lookout Mountain, which was the middle point of the loop. When we got there, it was really a spectacular view of the forest with the grand sight of Lake Superior in the distance. Kris climbed out on a rock that jutted out, to get photos, and I stayed back, horrified by the potential drop from the rock, but also pragmatically taking photos from my vantage point.

I found a place to put the itsy bitsy Spee-ider rock (see the movie “Megamind” if you want to know why I pronounced it that way). We’ll call it “The Conrad Rock.”

The lookout area was filling up, so we gathered our things and started back, stopping briefly so our navigator could check the map.

We took the road less traveled on the way back down, the path much narrower and somewhat overgrown. The Mighty Trailblazers got a little lackadaisical on this part, I must say. Still, we weren’t exactly having to hack our way through with a machete, so it was all good.

Plus, you could look up from the trail and see Lake Superior winking at you alluringly. That’s a sight I never tire of. (Or for you grammar sticklers: “That’s a sight of which I never tire.” I’m not judging – I’m a fellow stickler.)

It took us two hours and ten minutes to complete this rigorous 3.5 mile hike. Triumph!

Knee Score: Even though it wasn’t quite as up-and-down as the infamous Crosby-Manitou SP, I’d still give it a knee score of 10 without the trekking poles, and a score of 7-8 with them. The equivalent of 46 flights of stairs!

Well, that might be it for awhile. We did a couple “bonus” hikes on the way home, so maybe I’ll do a “Lynniebeemuseoday” report on those. We have unrealistic hopes and dreams of doing the St. Croix river parks yet this fall. It would be great to check a few more off our list before next year!

Thanks again for trekking along with us. You are such delightful company. 🙂

I’ll probably delete this in the morning.

Next Hike: Beaver Creek Valley State Park