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By current standards, they are quite runnable. It is just a matter of how much water there is (and how adventurous you are) as to which lines you will like on the upper (split around the island) falls and the lower, larger falls.
The right side of the upper falls (shown above left) is an easy uniform slide. At the level we ran it, there was more water close to the island, so that was the best line. The left side of the upper falls is a much more frothy drop. Close to the island it appears to end in an upturned ledge (shown above right), spewing water upward before landing in the brief slackwater at the base. |
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As mentioned above, there is a brief pause between the two falls. The photo above left shows the right side of the upper falls in the background, and the beginning of the lower falls in the foreground.
The right side of the lower falls (shown above right) had a somewhat cleaner line than the center or left of that falls. |
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"Whitewater; Quietwater" (Palzer) describes the lower Cascade as ". . . a series of contiguous waterfall slides . . . unnavigable . . . gradients were 170'/mi, 150'/mi, 160'/mi, and 230'/mi. Do Not Attempt This Section." (Emphasis theirs.)
By current standards, this section is, indeed, runnable (with adequate caution, knowledge of good water levels, and preferably someone who is familiar with the run). It does stand among the more challenging runs on Minnesota's North Shore. |
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Not far from the put-in (with an easy trail river-left for scouting either in advance or when you get there by boat), Hidden Falls (above left photo) is a double-curving slide into a slight pocket in the bedrock, then a final short pitch into a potentially problematic hole. It is a wild ride for those who are up for it, an easy portage for those who opt not to.
Another of the more interesting drops starts with a long slide which heads straight to a rocky island. To the right lies a wider sloping pitch; to the left (shown above right) is a narrow, sweeping curve into the pool below. It is difficult to really be in control, careening off the island and around this banking curve. Scouting this drop is not easy, since you can't see enough of both sides of the river from either side of the river to really be confident of the best choice of a line. |
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There are many great rapids, slides, and short 'boofable' falls on the remainder of the run. Among them is one called Long John, which (I believe) is where the photo above left is from.
Most sane, mere mortal boaters will take out before the final mile, referred to as "the Cascades of the Cascade". This stretch lies within a park with good trails and boardwalk overlooks. While generally portaged at levels which make the rest of this run 'worthwhile', it has been run, usually at lower summer levels. |