Upper Manitou Forest Preserve

The Nature Conservancy

2,210 acres

Earl West Road
N47 30.698, W91 8.390

Railroad Bridge over upper Manitou River
Lake Co. Mn...

Back in Oct. 2001 I ventured up the Earl West Road and beyond just exploring the area. I wanted to also check out a waterfall upriver of this railroad bridge that crosses the Manitou River. The river up there was at a low or average flow for that time of year so I could walk in it if necessary to get to continue exploring areas I needed to cross or just walk up in the river.

Didn’t have to walk in it to much though. High quality river water and also the same in the tributary streams I seen. I came across some of these photos I took back then so thought I would see if some could be of use. That railroad bridge was up there a little. The river below where I took the photo had shallow areas and I did walk in it in areas. It was crystal clear. I had my water filter with to filter the water since wildlife like beavers etc. do inhibit the watershed. The water was clear like drinking water in my container. Tasted just fine too.

The waterfall I found to be interesting. It was kind of a jumbled rock cascading and fairly good sized.…

These photos are from a while back that’s for sure but I don’t think much has changed since. I was up on that railroad bridge before meandering down to the river. Was fortunate it was a nice day and no recent heavy rains so the river was settled down and I was able to navigate along it. I studied topographic maps and read a lot of info before attempting a journey where I had never been into before.

Uppermost Falls Manitou River...

This is that falls upriver from the Manitou River Railroad Bridge. … The river was at low water level and I think a little steeper than the Manitou River Cascades back in the state park. I only hiked to this falls one time. I can imagine at higher water levels it would be quite a gusher.