High Falls Trail at Pigeon River Provincial Park

High Falls Trail at Pigeon River Provincial Park

On Sunday morning, we set out for one of our favorite local hiking trails, High Falls. A pleasant half hour drive south along Hwy 61 through the majestic mesas of the Nor’Wester Mountains (not yet in fall colours!) brought us to the parking area at the Ontario Visitor Centre, just before the U.S. border. From there, after passing under the highway via a corrugated tunnel and taking the righthand path of the loop, a few minutes in, it’s a pleasant forest walk, with a moderate uphill grade, to the falls.

The trail leads to a railed, rocky lookout with a fantastic view of the double cascade, showing off the depth of the canyon, and the plunge the river takes. You can get closer to the top of the falls, although a board across the access discourages this–and for good reason! Careless behaviour on & around the rocks that border the precipice could definitely lead to tragedy! The river above the falls seems mild & unthreatening, and it’s hard to fathom how high up you are when standing there, until you get a proper view of the plunge from further back, at the lookout.

Pigeon River sits across from the Grand Portage State Park in Minnesota; at the falls, you can see the boardwalks and lookouts on the American side, across the canyon, & wave at our southern neighbours, if you choose!

On the return portion of the loop, you’ll get more views of Pigeon River valley, looking back up at the canyon, and down the river (from the top of handy stairs) to the marsh near the border, and Lake Superior beyond. In the woods near the marsh, there’s an old, solitary fireplace & chimney, left over from a 1930s hunting & fishing lodge.

You can probably walk this 2km trail in an hour, but we took our time, enjoying the birds (including a Baltimore Oriole, a Swainson’s Thrush, and on the marsh, a Blue Heron!) along the trail & picnicking at the Falls.

After our main hike, we decided to walk the Boardwalk Trail on the east side of the parking lot, for the beautiful view of Pigeon Bay and Lake Superior that it offers.

Although we’ve been many times over our years in Thunder Bay, we never tire of this woodland trail and the amazing High Falls, which truly live up to their name!

Shannon

P.S. Ever Been to Ruby Lake Prov. Park?  We had been planning to visit it for our first time, to see the spectacular cliffs there, but decided we were starting a bit late for the drive and hike involved. Also not sure which trail is best, and whether highway construction might be blocking access? If you’ve been to Ruby Lake, please let us know what it’s like!