Black Slate Falls and Quartzite Falls

Wayne Premo

Quartzite Falls

Two idyllic woodland falls are in the same area. Black Slate Falls and Quartzite Falls are near the end of Arvon Road, an unpaved road just west of the Slate River off Skanee Road. Take it 3.3 miles from Skanee Road until you see a trail on the left. Look for a short trail that goes to the river. (If the road takes a hard right turn, you have gone a little too far.)

Black Slate Falls is just upstream from where the trail reaches the river, and the more impressive Quartzite Falls is just downstream.

If you really want to seek out the old Arvon Slate Quarry, continue upstream from Black Slate Falls. However, there's not much slate left, and the access road can be quite muddy. This adventure doesn't add up to the amount of trouble to get there. There's more accessible slate to be seen by these two waterfalls.

Return to Skanee

SKANEE
POINTS OF INTEREST

Silver Falls. An interestingly complex woodland hike reaches an overlook, then dark rocks, rushing water, and a wading pool. Downstream are a second waterfall and swimming hole. Part of Copper Country State Forest. ... more

Black Slate Falls and Quartzite Falls. A short trail reaches two little, idyllic woodland waterfalls over quarzite and dark, layered slate. ... more

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Huron Islands & Lighthouse. The Huron River's mouth offers a splendid view of the rocky Huron Islands, a wildlife refuge, just offshore in Lake Superior. Knowledgeable boaters or a Skanee fishing charter can reach the stabilized granite lighthouse on the westernmost island. It was built in 1868 to warn copper shipping vessels of rocks and shifting waters. ... more

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