VisitCookCounty.com/gunflint-trail

type in: “Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness” Area Canoe Waters “Boundary in: type

and RECREATION.gov visit or 877-444-6777 call also includes Eagle Mountain. Eagle includes also

during rainy periods. rainy during

, reservations permit overnight BWCAW For which Hills, Misquah the of west the to view panoramic winding back into the forest. The trail can get wet and muddy muddy and wet get can trail The forest. the into back winding

a is there feet, 2,238 of elevation an at mountain, the of

stand. It turns at Elbow Creek and follows the creek before before creek the follows and Creek Elbow at turns It stand. information. more for 218-387-1750 call or 55604, MN,

top the At 1978). in removed and 1955, until staffed 1935,

The trail is an old road through a tall pine pine tall a through road old an is trail The Trail: the Hiking Marais, Grand 61, Highway West 2020 Station, Ranger

Mountain is the site of a former fire lookout tower (built in in (built tower lookout fire former a of site the is Mountain

Turn left into the parking lot. parking the into left Turn 12). Road (County Trail

Gunflint the at Inquire permit. point entry an have must

difficult in places; be sure to wear good hiking shoes. Lima Lima shoes. hiking good wear to sure be places; in difficult

Gunflint the on Marais Grand of north miles 6.8 Location:

campers Overnight trailheads. at available are permits

footing the make roots and rocks Protruding steep. and

3 miles (round trip) (round miles 3 Distance: use day Self-issued (BWCAW). Wilderness Area Canoe

The Lima Mountain Trail is narrow, rocky, rocky, narrow, is Trail Mountain Lima The Trail: the Hiking

Easy Difficulty: Waters Boundary the enter to required are Permits

located off Forest Road 315. Road Forest off located

Wildflowers

Wilderness Permits Wilderness Go 2 miles to Forest Road 315. Lima Mountain trailhead is is trailhead Mountain Lima 315. Road Forest to miles 2 Go

forest pine red and White Features: Gunflint Trail (County Road 12). Turn left on Forest Road 152. 152. Road Forest on left Turn 12). Road (County Trail Gunflint

MEMORIAL PINES MEMORIAL Drive 21 miles north of Grand Marais on the the on Marais Grand of north miles 21 Drive Location:

4 along the trail. the along WASHINGTON GEORGE . 3 miles (round trip) (round miles 3 Distance:

Trail. Maps are available at trailhead and various locations locations various and trailhead at available are Maps Trail. Difficult Difficulty:

Pincushion Trail System connects with the Superior Hiking Hiking Superior the with connects System Trail Pincushion

Historic fire tower site tower fire Historic This trail is currently not maintained. not currently is trail This NOTE:

Track River gorge and a panorama of Lake Superior. The The Superior. Lake of panorama a and gorge River Track

vistas Beautiful Features:

wild flowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses and trees, shrubs, flowers, wild

Take the loop to Pincushion Mountain for a view of the Devil Devil the of view a for Mountain Pincushion to loop the Take outfitter) required for overnight stay at primitive campsite. primitive at stay overnight for required outfitter)

River with an interesting variety of native and non-native non-native and native of variety interesting an with River Track

variety of hikes possible within this looping system of trails. trails. of system looping this within possible hikes of variety

Overnight permit (obtained at Gunflint Ranger Station or Station Ranger Gunflint at (obtained permit Overnight

Devil the of edge the along walk shaded A Trail: the Hiking

of Lake Superior and the Grand Marais harbor. There are a a are There harbor. Marais Grand the and Superior Lake of Self-Issued BWCAW day permit required for hiking. for required permit day BWCAW Self-Issued

Look for a small brown sign that says “Wildflower Sanctuary.” “Wildflower says that sign brown small a for Look

The trailhead parking lot offers a great view view great a offers lot parking trailhead The Trail: the Hiking

7 LIMA MOUNTAIN TRAIL MOUNTAIN LIMA . Track River bridge. bridge. River Track Devil the before just 12) Road (County Trail

and drive 0.2 miles to parking. to miles 0.2 drive and

Gunflint the on Marais Grand of north miles 5.7 Location:

Gunflint Trail (County Road 12); turn right on County Road 53 53 Road County on right turn 12); Road (County Trail Gunflint

Less than a mile a than Less Distance: bedrock that can be difficult to cross when wet. when cross to difficult be can that bedrock

Drive 2.5 miles north of Grand Marais on the the on Marais Grand of north miles 2.5 Drive Location:

exposed of sections steep have trail the of Portions NOTE: Not maintained Not Difficulty:

15 miles (various loops) (various miles 15 Distance: down to the Brule River that flows into Northern Light Lake. Lake. Light Northern into flows that River Brule the to down Wildflower interpretive signs interpretive Wildflower Features:

vistas above Northern Light Lake. Or, hike a short distance distance short a hike Or, Lake. Light Northern above vistas

3 Easy to difficult to Easy Difficulty: HIKE INTERPRETIVE WILDFLOWER .

The top of Blueberry Hill offers outstanding outstanding offers Hill Blueberry of top The Trail: the Hiking

Lake Superior overlook Superior Lake

past Trout Lake Road. Lake Trout past ridge. the of side west the toward placed disk survey

Trail Hiking Superior to Connections Features:

miles 2.25 is head

rapidly to the summit. The highest point is marked by a brass brass a by marked is point highest The summit. the to rapidly

1

MOUNTAIN TRAILS MOUNTAIN PINCUSHION .

trail- The 12). Road (County Trail the final half mile becomes rocky and steep, gaining elevation elevation gaining steep, and rocky becomes mile half final the

Gunflint the on Marais Grand of gradually; the next half mile offers slightly more increase and and increase more slightly offers mile half next the gradually;

Superior Hiking Trail Association in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Minnesota. Harbors, Two in Association Trail Hiking Superior

north miles 13 Drive Location: The first 2.5 miles of the trail gains elevation elevation gains trail the of miles 2.5 first The Trail: the Hiking

state park offices, local resorts and businesses, and from the the from and businesses, and resorts local offices, park state

1 mile (round trip) (round mile 1 Distance:

5 miles to the trailhead parking area. parking trailhead the to miles 5 parks. Current maps are available at U.S. Gunflint Ranger Station, Station, Ranger Gunflint U.S. at available are maps Current parks.

#170 Follow left. turn and 170 Road Forest of junction the to Difficult, but short but Difficult, Difficulty: Trailheads are located at most County Road crossings and state state and crossings Road County most at located are Trailheads

drive 5 miles to County Road 27 and turn right. Drive 5 miles miles 5 Drive right. turn and 27 Road County to miles 5 drive rivers as they cascade over waterfalls through rocky gorges. gorges. rocky through waterfalls over cascade they as rivers Panoramic view of Northern Light Lake Light Northern of view Panoramic Features:

your left (toward Devil Track Lake). Turn left on County Road 8, 8, Road County on left Turn Lake). Track Devil (toward left your

Sawtooth Mountain Range, and breathtaking glimpses of wild wild of glimpses breathtaking and Range, Mountain Sawtooth HILL BLUEBERRY

Highway 61 in Grand Marais 4.0 miles to County Road 8 on on 8 Road County to miles 4.0 Marais Grand in 61 Highway

There are spectacular vistas of Lake Superior, silhouettes of the the of silhouettes Superior, Lake of vistas spectacular are There

6 LAKE LIGHT NORTHERN .

Take the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) from from 12) Road (County Trail Gunflint the Take Location: Superior shore from Two Harbors to the Canadian border. Canadian the to Harbors Two from shore Superior

7 miles (round trip) (round miles 7 Distance: Trail: the Hiking This long distance trail follows the Lake Lake the follows trail distance long This

dozens of fishing spots cleared along the shoreline. the along cleared spots fishing of dozens Moderate with some steep and rocky terrain rocky and steep some with Moderate Difficulty: (County Road 12); turn right on County Road 53. Road County on right turn 12); Road (County

offers and lake, entire the around goes and Campground Drive 2.5 miles north of Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail Trail Gunflint the on Marais Grand of north miles 2.5 Drive Historic fire tower site tower fire Historic

The trail starts at the Kimball Lake Lake Kimball the at starts trail The Trail: the Hiking Access from Pincushion Mountain trail system. system. trail Mountain Pincushion from Access Location: campsites Two

east on Trout Lake Road (Forest Road 140). Road (Forest Road Lake Trout on east BWCAW of vistas Spectacular 200+ miles 200+ Distance:

miles 2 then Trail, Gunflint the up miles 10.9 Location: feet) (2,301 Minnesota in point Highest Features: Moderate to difficult to Moderate Difficulty:

2 miles 2 Distance: outfitter) required for overnight stay at primitive campsite. primitive at stay overnight for required outfitter) Spectacular Lake Superior overlooks Superior Lake Spectacular

Easy Difficulty: Midwest the in trail hiking Longest or office Station Ranger Gunflint at (obtained permit Overnight

forest transition and Boreal Features: Designated trout lake trout Designated Features: Self-Issued BWCAW day permit required for hiking. for required permit day BWCAW Self-Issued

5 2 1 KIMBALL LAKE FISHING TRAIL TRAIL FISHING LAKE KIMBALL . MOUNTAIN EAGLE . TRAIL HIKING SUPERIOR .

Your Gunflint Trail Hosts

Bearskin Lodge 218-388-2292 • www.bearskin.com Big Bear Lodge & Cabins 218-388-0172 • www.bigbearlodge.com Clearwater Canoe Outfitters & Lodge 218-388-2254 • www.clearwaterhistoriclodge.com A Wild Place to Hike Cross River Lodge One of the best outdoor activities to be found along 218-388-2233 • www.crossriverlodge.com northeastern Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail is recreational Golden Eagle Lodge hiking – and it’s possible to do it spring, summer, fall, 218-388-2203 • www.golden-eagle.com and winter. Chose your trail — from easy day hikes, Gunflint Lodge to challenging multi-day routes for overnight camping. 218-388-2296 • www.gunflint.com Trails meander through the Superior National Forest and Gunflint Northwoods Outfitters the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCAW), and include 218-388-2296 • www.gunflintoutfitters.com access to The Border Route and Superior Hiking Trail. Gunflint Pines Resort 218-388-4454 • www.gunflintpines.com Wildlife Heston’s Lodge There are millions of reasons why we say the Gunflint 218-388-2243 • www.hestons.com Trail offers vacations of a different nature. Countless natural, wild, and scenic reasons. Moose, deer, loons, Hungry Jack Lodge wolves, pine marten, black bears, eagles, owls, fox, 218-388-2265 • www.hungryjacklodge.com lynx, beaver, otters, dozens of birds and other animals Hungry Jack Outfitters make up the wildlife in these north woods. Hundreds 218-388-2275 • www.hjo.com of species of songbirds, birds of prey, and waterfowl Loon Lake Lodge live in or migrate through this unique boreal habitat. 218-388-2232 • www.visitloonlake.com Walleye, large and small mouth bass, lake trout, Nor’Wester Lodge rainbow trout, and northern pike are the most prolific 218-388-2252 • www.norwesterlodge.com fish species. Come hike, explore, experience, and enjoy. Poplar Creek Guesthouse 218-388-4487 • www.poplarcreekbnb.com Trail Safety Poplar Haus Be prepared for rough and slippery surfaces, especially 218-388-2222 • www.poplarhaus.com on ledge rock. Wear comfortable boots or a well-built jogging shoe with non-skid soles. Allow approximately Rockwood Lodge & Outfitters 218-388-2242 • www.rockwoodbwca.com 45 minutes per mile. Take along safety essentials: food and water for longer hikes, first aid kit, compass and Seagull Creek Fishing Camp detailed maps, sunscreen, and bug repellent. Always 218-388-9929 • www.seagullcreekfishingcamp.com let someone know where you are headed and when Seagull Canoe Outfitters Hiking on you expect to return. 218-388-2216 • www.seagulloutfitters.com Trail Center Resort The Gunflint Trail Leave No Trace 218-388-2214 • www.trailcenterlodge.com Scenic Byway Help protect the thin soils Trout Lake Resort and fragile plant life by 218-387-1330 • www.troutlakeresort.com staying on the main trail. Tuscarora Lodge & Canoe Outfitters Pack out everything you 218-388-2221 • www.tuscaroracanoe.com pack in. Take only pictures, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters leave only footprints. 218-388-2224 • www.canoeit.com 218-387-2524 Way of the Wilderness Outfitters VisitCookCounty.com 218-388-2212 • www.wayofthewilderness.com Wilderness Permits Permits are required to enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Self-issued day use permits are available at trailheads. Overnight campers must have an entry point permit. Inquire at the Gunflint 20 Ranger Station, 2020 West Highway 61, Grand Marais, MN, 55604, or call 218-387-1750 for more information. 19 For BWCAW overnight permit reservations, call 877-444-6777 or visit RECREATION.gov

CANADA

18 16 15 17 14 13 12 10 8. MOOSE VIEWING TRAIL 11 9 Features: Wildlife viewing platform 8 Interpretive signs Difficulty: Easy Distance: 1 mile (round trip) 7 Location: 22.1 miles north of Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12). Turn left and drive to the parking lot. 13. TOPPER LAKE TRAILHEAD/ Hiking the Trail: Hike from the parking area for about a quarter mile along the snowmobile trail. The Moose Viewing MUCKER LAKE TRAIL Trail continues to the right, where it becomes a narrow path. Self-Issued BWCAW day permit required for hiking. The moose viewing platform is on the right, down a narrow Features: Access to Border Route Trail trail through the woods. Watch for interpretive signs along Difficulty: Easy 6 the way to learn more about moose. Distance: 1.5 miles (round trip) or 6 miles to Mucker Lake Location: Drive 33.9 miles north of Grand Marais on the 9. DANIELS LAKE Gunflint Trail (County Road 12). Turn right on Forest Road 317 5 Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) Self-Issued BWCAW day permit required for hiking. and drive 0.6 miles to parking area at the end of the road. Features: Access to Border Route Trail Hiking the Trail: Topper Lake is nestled among hills. Mucker Difficulty: Easy Lake Trail intersects the Border Route Trail at South Lake. Distance: 3.75 miles (round trip) 17. CENTENNIAL TRAIL 4 Location: Drive 27 miles north of Grand Marais on the 14. CRAB LAKE TRAIL Difficulty: Moderate Gunflint Trail (County Road 12). Turn right on Clearwater Road Self-Issued BWCAW day permit required for hiking. 3 Distance: 3.3 miles 2 (County Road 22) and drive 4.3 miles to the parking area at Features: Access to Border Route Trail Location: Drive 47.8 miles north of Grand Marais on the the West Bearskin Lake Boat Landing. Difficulty: Easy 1 Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) to the Kekekabic Trailhead. Hiking the Trail: The trail follows the old Alger-Smith railroad Distance: 8 miles (round trip) Parking and trailhead are on the left. grade which was acquired by the Northern Lumber Company Location: Drive 38.1 miles north of Grand Hiking the Trail: The Centennial Trail follows the path and to gain access to white pine holdings on Rose and Clearwater Marais on the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12). history of the Port Arthur, Duluth, & Western Railroad route Lakes. The trail terminates at the Border Route Hiking Trail, Turn right on the road to Loon Lake Lodge Grand to the ill-fated Paulsen Mine. A trail brochure and numbered along the “Long Portage” between Rose and Rove Lakes. (County Road 51) and drive 0.9 miles to the Marais posts guide hikers along the trail, retracing this historic

trailhead, just past the lodge. attempt to extract iron ore from Northern Minnesota. Trail HONEYMOON BLUFF features include mine test pits, late 1800's stone trestles, 10. Hiking the Trail: This trail passes through wetlands, with and recent signs of fire and wind. Follow the Round Lake Features: Scenic overlook a short spur to Crab Lake. Trail is often used as an access Road to the left (east) to the mowed snowmobile trail, walk Perfect for viewing sunsets to the Border Route Trail. to the Gunflint Trail, then walk the shoulder back to the Difficulty: Difficult but short Kekekabic Trailhead parking area. Distance: 1.5 miles (round trip) 15. GUNFLINT LAKE TRAILS Location: Drive 27 miles north of Features: Access to Border Route Trail 18. MAGNETIC ROCK TRAIL Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12). Turn right Interpretive signs on some trails Self-Issued BWCAW day permit required for hiking. on Clearwater Road (County Road 22) and travel 2.3 miles to Spectacular vistas from overlooks the parking lot at the trailhead. (The trailhead is located 1/4 Features: 60-foot rock with strong magnetic pull Difficulty: Moderate to difficult mile past the road to Flour Lake Campground.) Connects with Gunflint Lake trails Distance: 26 miles (various loops) Hiking the Trail: This short trail with a long set of wooden Difficulty: Easy stairs leads to a spectacular rocky overlook with views of Location: Drive 44.7 miles north of Grand Marais on the Distance: 3 miles (round trip) Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) to South Gunflint Lake Road Hungry Jack Lake, East Bearskin Lake, West Bearskin Lake, Location: Drive 47.8 miles north (County Road 20) which leads to the Gunflint Lake resorts. and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The of Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail Pick up a local hiking map (and current information on trail west-facing vantage point at the top is perfect for watching (County Road 12). Trailhead is on right. the sun set. Take extra care with small children on this trail conditions) from one of the area resorts. Parking available at Gunflint Lodge. Hiking the Trail: Hike across Larch and keep them under close supervision, due to the steep Creek, through the burns of 2007, Hiking the Trails: The High Cliffs Trail and South Rim Trail terrain and high cliffs. 2003 and 1974 to Magnetic Rock. Along the trail, look for have spectacular views of Gunflint Lake and the Canadian rock cairns that mark the trail over areas of exposed rock. shore. Bridal Falls is a beautiful destination — just right for 11. CARIBOU ROCK TRAIL This 60-foot rock feature, with its strong magnetic attraction, a picnic. Hike through dense growth between ridges, over Self-Issued BWCAW day permit required for hiking. is a unique phenomenon of the Glacial Period. Bring your lava outflows, and across the old Pee-Dee railroad bed. compass and test the magnetism. Pick up a trail map at Overnight permit (obtained at Gunflint Ranger Station or Hiking maps are essential. Pick one up from an area resort. one of the Gunflint Lake area resorts if you want to hike outfitter) required for overnight stay at primitive campsite. Features: Scenic overlook 15. BORDER ROUTE past Magnetic Lake. This is also the access to the Border Access to Border Route Trail Route Trail. Self-Issued BWCAW day permit required for hiking. Difficulty: Difficult Overnight permit (obtained at Gunflint Ranger Station or 19. CHIK-WAUK MUSEUM & Distance: 1.5 or 7 miles (round trip) outfitter) required for overnight stay at primitive campsite. NATURE CENTER TRAILS Location: Drive 28.7 miles north of Grand Marais on the Features: Long distance hike through the BWCA Features: Six hiking trails, including an ADA trail Gunflint Trail (County Road 12). Turn right on Hungry Jack Difficulty: Moderate to difficult and interpretive walk Lake Road (County Road 21) and travel 1.9 miles to the park- ing area on the right; trailhead is on the left side of the road. Distance: 70 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate Parking available at Rockwood Lodge Location: Access from various points along the Gunflint Distance: Various Hiking the Trail: The trail is an access route to the Border Trail (Caribou Rock Trail, South Lake Trail, Topper Lake Location: Drive 54.7 miles north of Grand Marais on the Route Hiking Trail. Overlooks along the hike include West Trail, Crab Lake Trail, and Gunflint Lake Trails) Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) to Moose Pond Road (County Bearskin Lake (about three-quarters of a mile from trailhead), Hiking the Trail: The trail extends from a trailhead on Road 81). Turn right and watch for the sign for the Chik-Wauk then Moss Lake, Duncan Lake, Rose Lake and Canada. The the Gunflint Trail to the Pigeon River below South Fowl Museum & Nature Center on your right (approximately 0.4 Stairway Falls are a highlight of this hike trip. This trail is steep Lake. Most of the trail passes through the BWCAW. It’s miles). Turn right and go to the parking area. and demanding, trail conditions are challenging and there fairly rugged terrain, with many rock ledges and spectacular Hiking the Trails: A variety of trails surround the Chik-Wauk are many protruding rocks and roots. Allow 5 - 7 hours for views. Windfalls are to be expected, and it may be difficult Museum and Nature Center, and more will be added. Pick a round trip hike, and bring plenty of water, snacks, raingear, to follow the trail. Campsites can be found along lakeshores. up a trail map at the museum. For current trail conditions and maps, contact the USDA and bug repellent. Contact: Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center Forest Service in Grand Marais. 218-388-9915

12. SOUTH LAKE TRAIL 16. KEKEKABIC TRAIL . NATURE TRAIL Self-Issued BWCAW day permit required for hiking. 20 Self-Issued BWCAW day permit required for hiking. Overnight permit (obtained at Gunflint Ranger Station or Features: Wildflowers Overnight permit (obtained at Gunflint Ranger Station or outfitter) required for overnight stay at primitive campsite. Blueberries outfitter) required for overnight stay at primitive campsite. Ham Lake Fire ecology Features: Access to Border Route Trail Features: Scenic ridges Beaver pond and wildlife Difficulty: Easy Long-distance hike Distance: 1.6 miles (round trip) Difficulty: Moderate through the BWCAW Distance: 8 miles (round trip) Location: Drive 56.0 miles north of Grand Marais on the Difficulty: Moderate Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) to Trail’s End Campground. Location: Drive 31.8 miles north Distance: 37 miles The trail begins at the canoe landing. of Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail Location: Drive 47.8 miles north (County Road 12). The trailhead sign Hiking the Trail: The trail winds up and down rocky terrain of Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail is located about .1 mile past the along the scenic bay which flows into the Seagull River (County Road 12). Parking and trailhead Rockwood Lodge sign, on the north side of the Gunflint Trail. (between Seagull and Gull Lakes). In spring and early summer, are on the left. Parking available at Rockwood Lodge. look for Stemless Moccasin Flower (pink moccasin flower) and Hiking the Trail: The trail extends from the Gunflint Trail to Linnea Borealis (Twin Flower). In late July and August this is Hiking the Trail: Extending from Poplar to South Lake, County Road 18 on Snowbank Lake near Ely. NOTE: In the an excellent blueberry area. Look and listen for Black-backed a portion of the trail is in the BWCAW. The trail passes near fire-affected areas, it can be difficult to locate the trail; be Woodpecker and several varieties of flycatchers along this trail. Partridge Lake which has a developed overnight campsite. sure to have a good trail map with you. Also, after high winds, Tall red and white pines watch over the trail in the sections large limbs and trees may criss-cross the trail. Use caution. VisitCookCounty.com/gunflint-trail where it passes through the old forests.