Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
It was cloudy and drizzly again when we arrived at Temperance River State Park but the rain cleared out pretty quickly as we started our hike up the Gorge Trail. We began from where the narrows poured into the lower river bed and made our way around to the mouth of the narrow gorge to pick up the trail. Despite the sub par weather there were a few other people on the trail though we lost sight of them when we took some side trips, which resulted in the feeling like we had the popular park to ourselves.
The Temperance River cuts deeply into the volcanic rock as it speeds downhill, creating the narrow, twisted gorge full of potholes and waterfalls. Frankly, it’s amazing and is one of the best state parks in Minnesota. Thickly forested on both sides, the river gorge was beautiful and the trail itself was incredibly nice; off the trail we climbed as much of the rocks along the river bank as we dared and found a perfect spot to eat our fruit along the rapids above the gorge. We hiked upstream past the bridge and got the opportunity to see the full run of the falls before returning downstream, crossing Highway 61, and seeing the wider canyon below where the river empties into Lake Superior. We ended the afternoon by walking along the beach, marveling at the thick, seemingly-omnipresent fog that clings to the surface of the lake.
Mouth of the gorge, Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
A narrow section of the gorge, Cascade River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Looking into the potholes, Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Gorge and potholes, Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Looking into the gorge from below, Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Tom’s picture of me from the bridge, Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Tom’s photo of me taking selfies with the dog, Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
First attempt at the selfie with the dog: Abbs gives me some tongue, Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Another attempt at the selfie, Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Tom taking photos on the Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Temperance River emptying into Lake Superior, Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Mouth of the river, Temperance River Gorge Trail, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Fog on Lake Superior near mouth of the river, Temperance River State Park, Minnesota
Abby seems to like traveling as much as you do, Meghan! So cute:)
She’s an avid hiker, Janet, and will do anything to be outdoors. 🙂
How Cute of you and Abbie. Home sweet home.
She’s pretty darn adorable…. Not great at posing for selfies but I usually get a few licks out of my attempts. 😉