Eagle Mountain
| Minnesota |
Elevation: 2,301'
Vertical Gain: 600'
Vertical Gain: 600'
Date: May 27, 2013
Time: 4:05 PM
Time: 4:05 PM
Weather: Fair
Party: Bob, Kevin
Party: Bob, Kevin
The six hour drive to Eagle Mountain from Mount Arvon took Kevin and I back through
Wisconsin (where we spotted a bald eagle) and around the western point of Lake Superior.
We took a break at Goosebury Falls State Park, which doubles as a rest area, and walked out
the trail to see the falls. It was still quite chilly. We made sure to gas up in Lutson before
heading north, away from the lake, into the wilderness areas. (More long dirt roads!) We
started the 6.2 mile hike at 3:50 and after only ten minutes who should we meet but Tom and
Avery on their way back from the highpoint! This was the third state we met them at so after
chatting for ten minutes or so we said goodbye for good since it was time for them to head
home.
We flushed out a pheasant on the hike to the top in nice weather. There is a good view just off
the peak. Number 40 completed!
It would not have felt right to come to this part of Minnesota without visiting the Boundary
Waters Canoe Wilderness. Unfortunately, our real life schedules did not permit a multi-day
canoe trip along one of the many possible routes but we did have an extra day to do a loop
through three different lakes as a way to sample the wilderness. The canoe rental and start of
this trip was at the Sawbill Campground where we spent the night. We had a very nice, private
site in the woods up above a lake. As we were setting up, two self-described biker rednecks
stopped by to chat. I suspect they were also checking out our coolers for extra beer but
despite their appearance they seemed nice enough and were quite impressed with our
highpointing quest. They were there to fish but not having much luck. We took an evening
hike around and gathered firewood for another nice fire which Kevin dutifully started.
The next morning we got up at 6:00 to be at the canoe rental desk at 7:00 where we chose a
lightweight Kevlar canoe for the day. It was nice and calm at the start as we tried to guess
where the loons would pop back up after diving. Strong headwinds kicked up by the return
through the third and largest lake. I was expecting a full day trip but it only took 4 1/2 hours
including three portages. This allowed us to get some good driving miles in through the
afternoon, making it across Minnesota, into North Dakota at Fargo, and all the way to
Jamestown where we found a nice campground just off the highway. There, we enjoyed nice,
hot showers and a good night for sleeping.
Wisconsin (where we spotted a bald eagle) and around the western point of Lake Superior.
We took a break at Goosebury Falls State Park, which doubles as a rest area, and walked out
the trail to see the falls. It was still quite chilly. We made sure to gas up in Lutson before
heading north, away from the lake, into the wilderness areas. (More long dirt roads!) We
started the 6.2 mile hike at 3:50 and after only ten minutes who should we meet but Tom and
Avery on their way back from the highpoint! This was the third state we met them at so after
chatting for ten minutes or so we said goodbye for good since it was time for them to head
home.
We flushed out a pheasant on the hike to the top in nice weather. There is a good view just off
the peak. Number 40 completed!
It would not have felt right to come to this part of Minnesota without visiting the Boundary
Waters Canoe Wilderness. Unfortunately, our real life schedules did not permit a multi-day
canoe trip along one of the many possible routes but we did have an extra day to do a loop
through three different lakes as a way to sample the wilderness. The canoe rental and start of
this trip was at the Sawbill Campground where we spent the night. We had a very nice, private
site in the woods up above a lake. As we were setting up, two self-described biker rednecks
stopped by to chat. I suspect they were also checking out our coolers for extra beer but
despite their appearance they seemed nice enough and were quite impressed with our
highpointing quest. They were there to fish but not having much luck. We took an evening
hike around and gathered firewood for another nice fire which Kevin dutifully started.
The next morning we got up at 6:00 to be at the canoe rental desk at 7:00 where we chose a
lightweight Kevlar canoe for the day. It was nice and calm at the start as we tried to guess
where the loons would pop back up after diving. Strong headwinds kicked up by the return
through the third and largest lake. I was expecting a full day trip but it only took 4 1/2 hours
including three portages. This allowed us to get some good driving miles in through the
afternoon, making it across Minnesota, into North Dakota at Fargo, and all the way to
Jamestown where we found a nice campground just off the highway. There, we enjoyed nice,
hot showers and a good night for sleeping.
A view near the top of ...
number 40!
number 40!
Relaxing at Sawbill Campground.
A little adventure within a bigger adventure.
Who set up this rock in the remote
wilderness and how it was done
remains a mystery.
wilderness and how it was done
remains a mystery.
