Peter Sandstone is as old as 458 million years, while the grayish green Decorah Shale nearest the top is 454 million years young. From the top down, you’ll find Decorah Shale, Platteville Limestone, Glenwood Shale, until you finally reach the easily eroded St.

A visit here is like a trip back through geologic time visitors can easily see the distinct layers of bedrock from the cross section carved out by the falls. Shadow Falls may not be able to match the size and water flow that one can expect at Minnehaha Falls, but what it lacks in volume it makes up for in character. But tucked away, deep down in a ravine near the intersection of Mississippi River Boulevard and Summit Avenue, Shadow Falls faintly flows, unknown to many who pass it by. Hundreds of people walk, jog, and bike along the paved trail that follows the Mississippi River Boulevard each day, perhaps stopping to look out at the river and admire the view. There isn’t a shadow of a doubt that Shadow Falls is one of Saint Paul’s most overlooked natural wonders-literally.

Two river shadow of a doubt