|
|
SOO JUNCTION
POINTS
OF
INTEREST
Tahquamenon Falls Riverboat Tour and Toonerville Trolley. A 35-minute railroad ride takes you through a second-growth wilderness to the 250-passenger riverboat, piloted by a naturalist. Eagles, migrating birds, and even bears can be spotted along the big river. An optional nature hike goes up and down through an old-growth to Upper Falls of the Tahquamenon River. ...
more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tahquamenon Falls Riverboat Tour and Toonerville Trolley
|
This relaxing, all-day excursion (from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) is a trip through real wilderness by train, boat, and an optional nature hike to the Tahquamenon River's Upper Falls. Especially on the boat trip, passengers often see wildlife in its natural habitat — often deer, sometimes bears, eagles, and sandhill cranes, and on rare occasions a moose.
When migrating warblers come through in May, trees are only beginning to bud, so the warblers are much easier to see . A hawk owl has occasionally been seen at the depot during the day. Scanty food in Canada has pushed hawk owls south.
Rail fans appreciate the 24" narrow-gauge track over the original logging route It's the longest 24" gauge railroad in the U.S.. Visitors can take just the train trip, in 1 3/4 hours. But we recommend the all-day train and river trip if you have the time. Days when the light sparkles on the water would be nicest of all, especially in fall color season, usually at the end of September. But this would also be a good choice on rainy dayeliminating the hike.
First, the train trip. A five-ton diesel engine, originally used in mines, pulls the train through an interesting mix of northwoods habitats: spruce (both scrubby and majestic), tamarack, birch, and young maples. It's a bumpy, noisy ride (just like an old-time railroad), 35 minutes each way. Passengers are handed a tree guide with numbers corresponding to numbers marked on trees they pass.
The river trip (4 hours altogether) passes mature second-growth forests and a few cottages. Wildlife and the wide Tahquamenon River are the main attractions. The 250-passenger, double-deck riverboat is quiet, without disturbing vibrations. It's easy to hear Captain Kris Stewart, a knowledgeable narrator/pilot, is a longtime local resident who's good at wildlife identification. He highlights local Ojibwa lore, the history of Tahquamenon logging, and, above all, nature and wildlife. There's food and bar service (by cash only). The grilled hamburgers are excellent. Restrooms are available.
The boat docks quite a ways upstream from the falls and pauses for an hour and fifteen minutes. A 5/8-mile nature path goes to the Upper Falls through a beautiful old-growth mixed forest, with huge hemlocks and upland hardwoods (birches and maples) colorful in fall. This optional nature hikelooks down at the river and goes up and down through the forest before visitors descend down stairways along a dramatic sheer cliff to the falls overlook platforms. This is actually the original Indian trail to reach the falls from the river. Longfellow's long poem Hiawatha ends with the grown-up Hiawatha, distraught at the loss of his love, traveling to the falls to end his life there.
This path is for the exclusive use of customers of the Riverboat Tour. Roots and other irregularities have been smoothed over on three-fourths of the pathway. However, tourgoers with problems in walking, breathing and heart function are advised to stay behind in the boat.
This view of the Upper Falls, from the south side, is less complete than that from the state park on the river's north side. However, the falls experience means more when the approach is not from a busy parking lot but from a trail, and the sound of rushing water becomes louder and louder. The lower platform here is closer to the falls, to its foam and churning water, than from other viewpoints. The water's roar is louder. On some days, the wind blows mist to the platfrorm.
The rail line here goes back to when lumberman Robert Hunter built it to take lumber from his river sawmill (by today's boat dock) to the Soo main line at Soo Junction. (That's where the train trip begins.) Originally the railroad had standard-gauge track. Today Hunter's great-grandson Kris Stewart owns and runs the Tahquamenon Riverboat Tour and Toonerville Trolley with his wife, Dixie. It's an 80-year-old family business over three generations.
The train-boat tour has been in continuous operation since 1927. At that time, the trees were logged over, but no road had been built to Tahquamenon Falls. A retired conservation officer in the area got so many calls from downstate dignitaries wanting to view the falls that he teamed up with Hunter to offer the Toonerville Trolley sightseeing trip, over today's route. At first Hunter rigged up a model T Ford as a makeshift rail runner. The Toonerville Trolley proved such a success that in 1933 Hunter needed a longer train. He purchased equipment from the narrow-gauge mining and logging rail lines then going out of business, and he switched to narrow-gauge track.
Rising fuel costs have raised rates. 2006 prices: adults $33, ages 9-15 $17, ages 4-8 $10. For 2006 the season was June 1 thru Oct. 7. All boat trips leave at 10:30. Come by 10 or so to be sure of a seat. Wear a jacket or windbreaker. Days change with seasons. June 15-30: Mon.-Thurs only. July 1-Aug. 20: Mon-Sat. Aug. 21-Oct. 7: Mon, Wed-Sat. Labor Day weekend: Sunday trip also.
2006 schedule for the 2-hour train ride only. Trips leave at noon. Come 15 minutes early to get a seat. June 15-June 30: Fri & Sat only. July-Aug: Tues-Sat. Labor Day weekend: trips Sat & Sun. There's a short stopover at the landing, with restrooms and food service. Cost: $17/adult, ages 9-15 $8.50. Ages 4-8 $4.75. Under 6 free.
Ask about private charters and group discounts Reservations advised for holiday weekends.
Train leaves Soo Junction (about 2 miles north of M-28 and 12 miles east of Newberry). Big signs on M-28 mark the turnoff. (888) 77-TRAIN (year-round) or (906) 876-2311. Handicap access: not for wheelchairs. Help is available to climb in and out of train cars and boat. Boat trip need not involve steps. Optional walk to falls is not accessible.
Return to Soo Junction
|
|
