Wednesday Waterfall: Carp River, Marquette, Michigan

Dawn on a bend in the Carp River, Marquette, Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Aaron Peterson is an Upper Peninsula writer and photographer based near Marquette, Michigan; for more of his work visit www.aaronpeterson.net or connect with him on Facebook for more from Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the Lake Superior region.

Fourth of July: Happy Independence Day

 

Farmhouse with fireworks, Fourth of July, Independence day Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Aaron Peterson is an Upper Peninsula writer and photographer based near Marquette, Michigan; for more of his work visit www.aaronpeterson.net or connect with him on Facebook for more from Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the Lake Superior region.

Wednesday Waterfall: Miners Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

 

Miners Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, Michigan

Aaron Peterson is an Upper Peninsula writer and photographer based near Marquette, Michigan; for more of his work visit www.aaronpeterson.net or connect with him on Facebook for more from Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the Lake Superior region.

Wednesday Waterfall: Reany Creek, Marquette, Michigan

Waterfall on Reany Creek, Marquette, Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Reany Creek is a mysterious little creek with lots of gradient and many scenic sections as it splashes its way through Northern Marquette County on its way to Lake Superior.

This is a shot of a particularly pretty area, and one that's easy to get to, just outside the city of Marquette near the end of Forestville Road, just before a power generating station on the Dead River. As you near the end of Forestville Road, Reany cascades through a small rocky chasm and shoots under a small bridge on the road. It could be easily missed but is worth the stop and a little exploration. Dead River falls is nearby and worth a hike as well.

Aaron Peterson is an Upper Peninsula writer and photographer based near Marquette, Michigan; for more of his work visit www.aaronpeterson.net or connect with him on Facebook for more from Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the Lake Superior region.

Recent Work: Copper Harbor in Bike magazine

The new Copper Harbor Flying Squirrel jump trail with Trek pro rider Andrew Shandro

Bike magazine recently did a little write up on Copper Harbor's designation as an IMBA ride center. They used a few of my images and a very cool short film that friend Aaron LaRocque of BC, Canada made for Trek bikes.

See the Bike magazine article and Copper Harbor mountain biking film here.

Aaron Peterson is a writer and photographer based near Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. For more of his work visit www.aaronpeterson.net or connect with him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AaronPetersonPhotography.

Recent Work: Outside magazine, July 2012

 I was happy to work with the good folks at Outside magazine again recently and play a small part in putting together their July 2012 Destinations piece on Canada. They picked up an existing image of canoe tripping in Northern Ontario.

See the web version of the Outside piece here.

Aaron Peterson is a writer and photographer based near Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. For more of his work visit www.aaronpeterson.net or connect with him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AaronPetersonPhotography.

Wednesday Waterfall: Elliot Falls, aka Miners Beach Falls

Waterfall at Miners Beach, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, Michigan's Upper Peninsula

There are so many big, raucous thundering waterfalls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula that it's too easy to overlook little gems like Elliot Falls at Miners Beach in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

For years I've heard this waist-high falls called Miners Beach Falls, and also Potato Patch Falls referring to the nearby backcountry campsite called the Potato Patch. However the actual Potato Patch Falls is a wispy pillar located between this lower falls at Miners Beach and the campsite where the stream drips off a sandstone ledge.

A recent interaction on Facebook set the record straight on the beach falls though:

"Elliot Falls is named after my great aunt's husband, who had the cabin there for many years. Bob Elliot had 'Elliot's Farm', and the home had also been known as "Zimmies" in later years prior to being torn down by the park service. The house sat right over the creek (you could see the creek through the floorboards in the bathroom). A few pipes and concrete slabs still remain at the site. "

To reach Elliot Falls, just take the Miners Beach Road all the way to the east (the opposite end that most visitors go to). A short walk gets you to the beach (use the stairs, this is a high erosion area) and you'll see the falls to your right once you're there.

Photo tip: plan your trip for the evening for best light and be prepared to get your feet wet for some of the best angles, especially if icy Lake Superior waves are rolling in. Also, this little stream can be seasonal so unless there have been recent rains it may just be a trickle.

Aaron Peterson is a writer and photographer based near Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. For more of his work visit www.aaronpeterson.net or connect with him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AaronPetersonPhotography.