Minnesota’s highest peak and the 37th highest US state summit, 2,301-foot Eagle Mountain is located in the northeast corner of the state, not far from Lake Superior.  With 1,317 feet of prominence, Eagle is the most promient peak in Minnesota. This highpoint requires a hike of about 3.2 miles one way, with 650 feet of elevation gain.

There are two Eagle Mountains in Minnesota. The one you don’t want is located in Sawtooth Mountain Park near Lutsen MN. The correct Eagle Mountain is in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). To get to Eagle Mountain by car, go 95 miles northeast from Duluth MN on US 61, along Lake Superior, and reach Lutsen, MN. Just north of Lutsen, turn north on County Road 4, aka the Caribou Trail. Go 3.7 miles on pavement to Caribou Lake, then another 14.0 miles on the now gravel Caribou Trail to reach the end of the road that intersects Forest Road 170, aka The Grade. There is a sign here for Eagle Mountain. Turn right at the T intersection, go 3.8 miles on The Grade, and turn left onto Bally Creek Road at another sign pointing toward the Eagle Mountain Trailhead. Follow Bally Creek Road to the trailhead area where lots of mosquitos will greet you.

Fill out the BWCAW permit at the trailhead. Now, for your hike. Follow the Eagle Mountain Trail for 2.0 miles to beautiful Whale Lake. This part of the trail is flat, marked with birch bark from the nearby trees, and rocky. Good boots are recommended. There are several wooden walkways on this trail that avoid marshy areas. Circle around the west end of Whale Lake, then look for the Eagle Mountain Trail on your left. Turn left on this trail, and follow it uphill to an open scenic overlook where you can marvel at the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area. Conitnue on the trail for another 10 minutes to the highpoint, that is marked by a large plaque mounted on an igneous bouleder. This boulder is over a billion years old!