Photos

Photos: Massive waves hit Minnesota's North Shore amid winter storm

Large waves crash against the cliffs
Large waves crash against the cliffs on Wednesday, on Crystal Bay in Lake Superior near Shovel Point and Tettegouche State Park.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News

MPR News freelance photographer Derek Montgomery captured photos of massive waves hitting the shores of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota on Wednesday.

Large waves crash against the cliffs
Large waves crash against the cliffs Wednesday on Crystal Bay in Lake Superior near Shovel Point and Tettegouche State Park.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News
a surfer catches a wave
With Split Rock Lighthouse in the background, a surfer catches a wave Wednesday near Silver Bay, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News

The photos were taken at various locations, including Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Tettegouche State Park near Silver Bay.

Spray from large waves washes across trees encased in ice
Spray from large waves washes across trees encased in ice on Wednesday, at Tettegouche State Park near Silver Bay, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News
A cliff along the shoreline
A cliff along the shoreline where the Baptism River meets Lake Superior is given a momentary break from large waves Wednesday, at Tettegouche State Park near Silver Bay, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News

The waves, generated by a winter storm that hit the North Shore on Tuesday and Wednesday and reached heights of up to 20 feet, crashing against cliffs and encasing trees in ice.

Large waves crash on Lake Superior
Large waves crash on Lake Superior on Wednesday, where the Baptism River meets Lake Superior at Tettegouche State Park.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News
Tree trunks encased in ice line the shore
Tree trunks encased in ice line the shore on Wednesday, at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park near Silver Bay, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News

The storm also brought winds gusting at 60 mph or more, making for treacherous conditions on the lake. Despite the danger, a surfer was photographed catching a wave with the iconic Split Rock Lighthouse in the background.

Trees encased in ice have a front row view of Ellington Island
Trees encased in ice have a front row view of Ellington Island at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park during a large winter storm that hit the area Wednesday, at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park near Silver Bay, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News
Tree branches encased in ice near Lake Superior during a large winter storm
Tree branches encased in ice near Lake Superior during a large winter storm that hit the area Wednesday, at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park near Silver Bay, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News
Large waves crash on Lake Superior
Large waves crash on Lake Superior on Wednesday, where the Baptism River meets Lake Superior at Tettegouche State Park.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News
The same cliff 20 seconds later is swallowed
The same cliff 20 seconds later is swallowed by a large wave Wednesday, at Tettegouche State Park near Silver Bay, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News
Large waves crash against the cliffs
Large waves crash against the cliffs on Wednesday, on Crystal Bay in Lake Superior near Shovel Point and Tettegouche State Park.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News