Gleason Falls is one of my favorite spots in the Ottawa National Forest.  The waterfall itself isn't very big or impressive 99% of the year.  Most of the time it's just a trickle making its way through huge boulders in a tight gorge, devoid of sunlight and far from anywhere.  There's barely a trail to get there and certainly no great photo opportunities.  In other words, it's kind of ugly.

Which is exactly why I love Gleason Falls.  It doesn't attract crowds of people at easier to get to waterfalls, or those with more impressive drops or more water.  You have to properly try to get to Gleason Falls, even in the summer.  Spring snow melt?  Forget it, unless you want to trudge through tough terrain for miles on sub-par snow.  I've risked my life crossing the creek at peak snowmelt!  Which was totally worth it by the way.

Part of why I like Gleason Falls is how rugged the gorge is.  Below the falls themselves the creek passes through some truly beautiful and treacherous terrain.  It's some of the only area in the UP that I've been challenged by.  For a guy called Invincible to be challenged by anything says a lot.

Gleason Falls is remote enough that I've never encountered anyone there.  I hope never to!  If you make the trek out there, please don't wreck it or you'll have me to answer to...