Tahquamenon Falls
The Melt: When the first 40-degree days roll across the Upper Peninsula—be they sunny and mild or sloppy with rain—melt water gushes into the frozen rivers. Suddenly rushing and powerful, but still shrouded in snow and ice, U.P. cataracts provide an exhilarating reason to get outside this month. Easy: Head to Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls (pictured above, 906-492-3415) or the Wagoner and Munising Falls located close to roads near Munising (906-387-2138, munising.org). For a challenge: Don snowshoes or skis and trek to Miners Falls (four miles round-trip) or Chapel Falls (nine miles round-trip) in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. 906-387-3700, nps.gov/piro.