Vista Falls (probably) does not exist. The waterfall is marked on older topographic maps and even has a full USGS quadrant named after it. Only swamps and the trickling headwaters of West Branch Sturgeon River can be found out here.
For those unwilling to accept this possibility, Vista Falls may be along one of the seasonal tributaries flowing down into the swamp, or perhaps was a logging dam that once sat in the swamp.
Directions
To visit the swamps and search for the (so far) elusive waterfall head south off of M-38 along NF-16 for 6.2 miles. Turn left onto S Laird Road for 2 miles and park on the first northbound two-track past the culvert over West Branch Sturgeon River (just a swamp in this area). Follow the two-track on foot past the beaver swamp for about 1.5 miles before cutting off towards the river.
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Jacob Emerick
Apr 24, '14
Hi Phil,Glad we found the same waterfall, heh! Bummed that you tried all the roads, though. I was considering going back out there armed with a GPS and following it downstream more, coming in directly from 1651, maybe trying during this spring melt. The summer I tried was particularly dry - the swamp was low and stinking and barely draining.
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