Climb 2,301 Feet Above Sea Level To Minnesota's Tallest Point, Eagle Mountain, For A Bird's-Eye View Of The North Shore
By Betsy Rathburn|Published June 08, 2021
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
Many people don’t realize it, but Minnesota is home to more than a few mountain peaks. Sure, they don’t soar as high as the Rockies or the Appalachians. But they’re mountains all the same. In the past, we’ve introduced the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains on Minnesota’s North Shore. But there are other peaks to discover, including Minnesota’s highest point. At 2,301 feet above sea level, Eagle Mountain is a breathtaking climb that offers amazing views of northern Minnesota. Read on below to learn more about climbing this peak.
Eagle Mountain is found in northern Minnesota, northwest of Grand Marais. It’s part of the beautiful Boundary Waters as well as the vast Superior National Forest.
The hike to the top of Eagle Mountain is about 3.5 miles starting from the trailhead, which is located on Forest Road 170. You can learn more about getting there here. It is not a loop trail, so you’ll make the same 3.5-mile trek back when you are finished, for a total of 7 miles roundtrip.
For most people, the hike takes about 2.5 hours. The trail is rugged in areas, with narrow paths, occasional ruts, and overgrown areas. Be sure to come prepared with the proper shoes.
Despite the ruts, most hikers will have no trouble with the first few miles of the trail. As you hike, you’ll likely encounter beautiful wildflowers - and maybe even wild animals. Many birds, rodents, and other animals make homes here.
Near the end of the hike, things get more challenging. Because this is a wilderness trail, there are no stairs leading to the top. The last 1/2 mile includes a rocky slope that hikers must climb up.
But you’ll soon realize why this difficult section of the trail is worth it. The view from the peak of Eagle Mountain is nothing short of breathtaking!
From the top of Minnesota, 3,201 feet above sea level and 1,321 feet above the surrounding area, you’ll be able to see over the tops of trees for miles around.
In the distance, you’ll spot northern Minnesota’s pristine lakes. If you do the hike on a clear day, you could even catch a glimpse of Lake Superior from miles away!
All in all, this hike is well worth the effort. While there are some challenging areas, it’ll be worth it when you reach the top of Minnesota’s highest point! Have you ever hiked Eagle Mountain? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!
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