Onion
Falls (PnH)
| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 1.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 2, 2019 |
River Description
OK. This is serious park-and-huck stuff. Gradient is off the charts (OK, not literally, but . . .). Your first view of this long sliding falls is impressive. The first time I hiked up for a look (with not enough water in it to boat, even if I were so inclined), looking at the whole thing I thought 'no way'! Then as I looked at the bottom-most stretch, I thought 'I could do that'. I hiked up some more and said 'by itself, I could do that'. Hiked up some more and said 'Hmmm, I could see doing that.' But . . . feeling good about putting the whole thing together (at a time when there was enough flow) . . . I had a hard time convincing myself I would want to do that. However, a good number of folks have done it. The ride has got to be amazing. And the view is impressive, looking out to Lake Superior (AS IF you have time to take that in, once you are in your boat dropping this monster).
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportTo access and run the slide, park at the pull-off from the highway. There exists a faint hiking trail that goes upstream from here on river left. It is easy to access and scout this entire multiple tier slide called, 'Tears for Fears' from the trail. Put in where you feel comfortable. The traditional put-in is in an eddy where the river makes a sharp left turn and exits a small gorge well above the slide. This adds a few great features with an entry slide and allows one to take in the massive horizon line of the Lake. The slide was first run by John Kiffmeyer and a visiting East coast crew.
The first full run of the Onion was completed by John Kiffmeyer and Loren Moulton back in the early 2000's.
Andy McMurray on the transition of 'Tears for Fears.'
Herbeck runs the second tier of 'Tears for Fears'
First of two steep slides on 'Tears for Fears' - the final cascades of the Onion
Straight into the Lake.
John McConville from a different perspective of the first tier.
Nate dropping the initial tier of 'Tears for Fears'