Pinnacle Falls

Last updated February 11, 2008


	Pinnacle Falls: named so for a reason!

My 85 year old great-uncle made the walk to the falls and made me look like a weak sister. But he is an unusual man and I must tell you that the walk will increase the heart rate significantly and you should have good legs. The walk to Pinnacle Falls starts just off the MEAD plantations on the Yellow Dog Plains. Directions to the proper two-track turn off from the AAA road include the proverbial “turn at the big white pine”. MEAD and the Rydholm partnership have generously allowed public access to the falls for years. The trail is wide enough, but you soon find the walk through soaring red pines heading steeply DOWN.

Glimpses and sounds of the Yellow Dog River entice you throughout the downward trek. Just as you reach a leveling out point in the trail – you have three choices to make. 1) continue on down to the river proper BELOW the falls, 2) leave the trail and take a short walk to swim the deep, cool, placid pools of water in the river ABOVE the falls, or 3) turn off the main trail and climb the PINNACLE!

Whichever way you take is breathtaking (option 2 literally!) Pinnacle Falls used to be a staging area for spring log runs and the old log sluice is still in place along with huge iron rings that were driven into the native stone to hold the logs in place. The falls have two large cascades – both with pools over-the-head deep for swimming. Want a great “WISH YOU WERE HERE” photo? Swim out to the rocks, climb the lower level of the falls, sit, relax, and let the water cascade around you – you could be at any exotic tropical location in the world with only the difference in the water temperature to bring you to stark reality. Fisherman try for the 1st trout of the season here. Photographers get their best shots here. Swimmers take their 1st dip of spring here. Rock climbers make their way down to the sluice for great picnics and historical imaginings. And you walk the Pinnacle Trail for the awe inspiring views of the river gorge below you, the towering hills around you and because it is there.Remember what goes down MUST go back up. But the climb only gives the trekker the thrill of accomplishment and the satisfaction of knowing that you still can go to Pinnacle Falls.

Lon and Lynn Emerick of Marquette, MI came to us about a year ago looking for a property in the Yellow Dog watershed that needed to be conserved for perpetuity. This is a couple given to the out-of-doors. They have wandered the U.P. for years cataloging the beautiful, unique, and wonderful qualities of this area. They wanted to find a piece of land, and an organization to look after it, that fit their ideal as a true treasure of the north country. They think they have found it!

Fred and June Rydholm, along with their, partner, Prentiss Brown have agreed to sell the 40 acres surrounding Pinnacle Falls on the Yellow Dog River to our organization. Lynn and Lon have agreed to match up to 1/3 (one third) the purchase price while we carry an option to buy within the next year.


	Pinnacle Fundraising Efforts We needed to come up with ~ $105,000 depending on future conservation easement fees) in one year’s time…This is how we did it: Initial Member Pledge………...…$ 36,000.00 Community Earth Day Dinner.......$ 5,300.00 Yellow Dog Recording Project.….$ 979.75 Walkin’ Jim Stoltz……………...…$ 732.12 Greg Brown Benefit Concert.…...$ 14,500.00 Peter Greer Memorial………..….$ 1,473.00 Edgar Minty Memorial………...…$ 1,690.00 Judy Peterson Memorial…….…..$ 75.00 Herbert Remien Memorial..……..$ 500.00 Restricted Land Fund……..…….$ 12,000.00 Member Donations………...……$ 12,028.14 Silent Auction………………...…..$ 8,500.00 Wes Freeland Slide Show……....$ 650.00 Member Loan (we pay back)......$ 11,000.00 Total: $105,428.01 Not Bad! Thanks to all involved…If you are interested in helping to pay back the $11,000 Pinnacle loan, please send in a donation! Click here for member form
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