Wednesday Waterfall: Tahquamenon Falls with Fall Color

The big one: Upper Tahquamenon Falls with fall color

Wednesday Waterfall: Upper Tahquamenon Falls is the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi but when seen within the enormous surrounding landscape of the wild Upper Peninsula it doesn't seem all that big here. The Tahquamenon River is a moody, dark and deep river draining a huge swath of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Its waters are stained with the tannin of cedar swamps along its route and tell tales of musky, lumberjacks and birchbark canoes. The falls is the most popular part of the river and the key feature of a large state park, but the whole river is worthy of exploration, especially in fall.

Aaron Peterson is a writer and photographer based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula covering outdoor recreation and travel in the Lake Superior region of the Upper Midwest.

Weekend Warriors: Fall Trail Run

Hogback Mountain, Marquette, Michigan

Let's face it, for most of us, running is no fun. Sure it's a great workout but come on, really, it's a knee shattering lung burning hell for the most part. But I do it anyway, because every once in awhile stuff like this happens. Okay, stuff like this happens quite often actually but I'm usually not running with my photo gear.

This is me atop Hogback Mountain just outside Marquette, Michigan. It's a bedrock lump of an ancient mountain range called the Huron Mountains. The Hurons a big part of what makes living along the shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula great.

Weekend Warriors is a weekly photo feature from Aaron Peterson a writer and photographer based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula covering outdoor recreation and travel in the Lake Superior region of the Upper Midwest.

Recent Work: Mt. Bohemia Skiing Cover

Off Piste at Mt. Bohemia ski area on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula

Silent Sports picked up an image of backcountry skiing at Mt. Bohemia ski area for its November 2012 cover. Bohemia is undoubtedly the most challenging lift-served skiing in the Midwest. It's a quirky place with a culture all its own way, way up on the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula where Lake Superior storms get snagged and dump gobs of lake effect snow. 

Aaron Peterson is a writer and photographer covering travel and outdoor recreation in the Upper Midwest. www.aaronpeterson.net

Wednesday Waterfall: Upper Peninsula Waterfall

Fall creek, Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Marquette County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a rough and tumble ballsy bedrock sort of place full of little waterfalls like this one near Big Bay, Michigan.

Wednesday Waterall is a weekly photo feature from Aaron Peterson, a writer and photographer based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula covering travel and outdoor recreation in the Lake Superior region of the Upper Midwest.

Weekend Warriors: Lake Superior Surfing

A Lake Superior kayak surf session, October 2012

What comes after fall color season in the Lake Superior region? Wave season. Rain, snow, sleet and howling north wind are all part of the mix on the big lake. Here friend and co-conspirator Conor Mihell (a known Canadian) catches a nice ride while mixing it up in a P&H Delphin at Lake Superior Provincial Park in Ontario.

Weekend Warriors is a photo feature from Aaron Peterson a writer and photographer covering outdoor recreation and travel in the Lake Superior region of the Upper Midwest.

Wednesday Waterfall: Little Garlic River

Bedrocking-A swift along the Little Garlic River, Marquette County, Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Just a pretty little swift on a section of the Little Garlic River in northern Marquette County on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Hiking in the Marquette area is like cooking: You can always add a Little Garlic.

Wednesday Waterfall is a weekly photo feature from Aaron Peterson, a writer and photographer based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula covering travel and recreation in the Lake Superior region of the Upper Midwest.

Weekend Warriors: Great Lakes Surfing

Great Lakes Surfing on Lake Superior at Marquette, Michigan

Great waves on Lake Superior lately. Surfers are loving it. Thank you Hurricane Sandy. Sorry New Jersey/New York, et. al.

Weekend Warriors is a weekly photo feature of outdoor lifestyle and recreation images from the Upper Midwest. www.aaronpeterson.net