Bond Falls Scenic Site (Blog Hike #103)

Trail: Bond Falls Trail

Hike Location: Bond Falls Scenic Site

Geographic Location: north of Watersmeet, MI (46.41079, -89.13237)

Length: 1 mile

Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)

Date Hiked: August 2001

Overview: A moderate hike featuring Bond Falls, one of the most notable waterfalls in Michigan.

Park Information: http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=412&type=SPRK

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=940986
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From Watersmeet, go north on US 45 9 miles to Bond Falls Road in the town of Paulding.  Turn right on Bond Falls and go 2 miles east to the gravel turnoff that serves as a parking lot for the area, marked by a Bond Falls sign.  The trail leaves the left side of the road.

The hike: Owned by the Upper Peninsula Power Company, Bond Falls Scenic Area features one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula.  Just upstream from the falls is Bond Falls Reservoir which provides hydroelectric power for customers and a constant supply of water for the falls.  Two trails forming a double loop are contained on the grounds.  The first loop, described here, is 1 mile long and takes the visitor around the falls.   A second loop not described here is 2 miles and makes a longer loop around the Bond River valley below the falls.

            The trail leaves the parking area and immediately begins heading downhill through pine forest with the river on your right.  In 0.2 miles reach the top of the falls and begin a concrete staircase heading downhill beside the falls.  At the base of the steps, the trail curves right as the second loop goes off to the left.  The waterfall now becomes fully visible on the right side of the trail.  The 60-foot falls is actually a long series of cascades spilt into left and right sides by a small wooded island.  The two sides of the falls are so large that they cannot both be photographed in one frame using a standard lens.

Bond Falls

            Cross a wooden bridge over the Upper Branch of the Ontonagon River that creates the falls and view the left side of the falls.  The trail continues up the eastern bank of the river, climbing steeply and occasionally over bare rock.  The trail continues climbing, turning left away from the river, soon to arrive at Bond Falls Road with the reservoir across the road.  Turn right on the road and proceed on a short walk along the roadside to the parking area to complete the hike.