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Pincushion Mountain Trailhead to Northern Terminus

  • 54.2 Miles of Trail
  • 8 Sections of Trail
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Grand Marais to Cook County Road 58

Directions

Pincushion Mountain Trailhead in Grand Marais: At Hwy. 61 milepost 110.0, turn left on Cook Co. Rd. 12 (Gunflint Trail) and go 2.0 miles. Turn right on Cook Co. Rd. 53 (Pincushion Drive) and go 0.25 miles to parking lot. Turn from Gunflint Trail has sign marked “Scenic Overlook.” Overnight parking okay, outhouse at trailhead.

NO HIKING ON GROOMED SKI TRAILS IN WINTER! This is a popular skiing location.

Description
  • Steep 0.25 mile spur trail to panoramic vista at Pincushion Mountain summit
  • Descends steeply into spectacular Devil Track River gorge
  • Ascends and follows canyon edge high above river, crossing several river branches on bridges
Trail Alerts
  • Please do not walk on groomed ski trails!

Cook County Road 58 to Kadunce River Wayside

Directions

Cook County Road 58 Trailhead: At Hwy. 61 milepost 113.8, turn left on Co. Rd. 58 (Lindskog Rd.) and go 0.8 miles to trailhead parking lot on left. Overnight parking okay.

Alternate Parking Option: Cook Co. Rd. 14 parking lot. At Hwy. 61 milepost 117.6, turn left and go 0.7 miles to parking lot. Overnight parking okay.

Description
  • Mileage includes 0.7 mile of access spur trail. Thru-hiker mileage for this section is 8.5 miles
  • Section crosses many creeks and beautiful Kadunce River
  • Features deep gorges of Kadunce River

Kadunce River State Wayside to Judge C.R. Magney State Park

Directions

Kadunce River State Wayside: At Hwy. 61 milepost 119 on right side of highway. No overnight parking.

Description
  • Mileage includes 0.7 mile of access spur trail. Thru-hiker mileage for this section is 9.3 miles
  • Blueberry Overlook has expansive view of Lake Superior
  • Travels 1.6 miles on sand shore of Lake Superior
  • Follows Little Brule River and Gauthier Creek

Judge C.R. Magney State Park to County Road 70

Directions

Judge Magney State Park: At Hwy. 61 milepost 123.8, turn left into entrance for state park. Continue straight on service road to large parking lot. State park sticker required for entry to state park. Overnight parking okay. Purchase annual sticker at another park. Single or several day use permit can be purchased via self-registration and payment onsite. Outhouse, drinking water, picnic tables at trailhead.

Alternate parking for this section: At Hwy. 61 milepost 124.4, turn left (north) on Cook Co. Rd. 69 (North Rd.) and go 2.75 miles. Turn left (north) on Cook Co. Rd. 70 (Camp 20 Rd.) and go 3.0 miles to parking lot on left. Parking for day use only.

Description
  • Trail follows Brule River for over 2 miles past Devil’s Kettle Falls
  • Continues to high bluff above the Brule River
  • Descends into Flute Reed River Valley
  • 1.7 mile roadwalk before Co. Rd. 70 Trailhead
  • No SHT campsites, but 36 fee campsites at Judge Magney State Park, reservations needed

County Road 70 to Arrowhead Trail

Directions

County Road 70 Trailhead: At Hwy. 61 milepost 124.4, turn left (north) on Cook Co. Rd. 69 (North Rd.) and go 2.75 miles. Turn left (north) on Cook Co. Rd. 70 (Camp 20 Rd.) and go 4.75 miles to trailhead parking lot on right (about 0.25 miles past Hong Hill Rd.). Room for six cars only – absolutely no parking on road outside of parking lot since big logging trucks frequently use this narrow road. Overnight parking okay.

Description
  • Goes along branches of Flute Reed River and Carlson Creek
  • Wildlife viewing at many ponds

Arrowhead Trail to Jackson Lake Road

Directions

Arrowhead Trail Trailhead: At Hwy. 61 milepost 128.9, turn left on Cook Co. Rd. 16 (Arrowhead Trail) and go 3.3 miles to trailhead parking lot on right. Overnight parking okay.

Description
  • Travels through lichen-draped spruce forests on rocky ridges
  • Rocky ridges have views of Lake Superior and Isle Royale
  • Half of section on ridgeline with nearly continuous views

Jackson Lake Road to Otter Lake Road

Directions

Jackson Lake Road Trailhead: At Hwy. 61 milepost 128.9 turn left and go 4.5 miles on Co. Rd. 16 (Arrowhead Trail). Turn right on Jackson Lake Rd. and go 3.1 miles to trailhead parking lot on left. Overnight parking okay.

Description
  • Features highest point of trail at 1,829 ft in balsam forest, but no view!
  • Overlooks of Jackson Lake and Swamp River Valleys
  • Remote area with occasional logging operations

Otter Lake Road to Northern Terminus/270 Degree Overlook

Directions

Otter Lake Road Trailhead: At Hwy. 61 milepost 128.9, turn left and go 4.5 miles on Co. Rd. 16 (Arrowhead Trail). Turn right on Jackson Lake Rd and go 8.4 miles. Turn left on Otter Lake Rd. at Otter Lake Rd./Rengo Rd. “T” intersection and go 2.0 miles to trailhead parking lot on left. Overnight parking okay.

Description
  • After a brief roadwalk on Otter Lake Road, SHT is hosted on the Border Route Trail for a mile to 270 Degree Overlook, the official northern terminus of the SHT