Eagle Mountain Trailhead — Attraction in West Cook

One of the more remote and beautiful state high points, but still an easy hiking trail. Come about 12-15 miles from Grand Marais down a few dirt roads to get to the trailhead. The four-mile long trail cuts through forest, then through a bog, then around a beautiful lake (where you first see the summit), and then starts to climb a bit. The views are all before you get to the summit, but they are beautiful, and you will see the forest for miles. The summit itself only has a plaque and no register.

NOTE WELL: IF YOU COME BETWEEN MAY AND JULY, YOU WILL GET EATEN ALIVE! INSECTS WILL EVEN BITE THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING! NO AMOUNT OF DEET WILL HELP YOU AVOID THIS (though it may reduce the total number of bites you have)! I made the mistake of doing this peak in June twice. The second time, even with my clothes soaked with heavy-duty backwoods bug spray, mosquitoes and black flies still managed to bite through my sleeves repeatedly. When I got back to the car, the skeeters followed me into the car. There were approximately twenty skeeters swatted in the car that night, and more in the trunk where I put my gear (even with me opening the windows and letting them leave).

That said, this is a beautiful hike at any time of year, and worth the short drive from Grand Marais. Highly...

Went to Eagle Mountain for the first time and it was a great hike! Will need to fill out a permit pass at the entrance, free for day use but will need to purchase for overnight permits or canoeing. I don’t recommend kids under 10 just from experience with mine, we didn’t bring him and glad we didn’t. There are lots of rocks and some muddy spots. Few spots where you have to walk over boards that aren’t all stable. Once you get to the bottom of the mountain from the trailhead is where you’ll really start to climb up. We went pretty early and had a good amount of bugs on the way up but on our way back down the bugs weren’t as bad. On our way up we only encountered two other groups but the way back there was quite a bit. Bring bug spray and reapply every so often for comfort. The hike round trip is 6.3 miles and with the breaks we took and the amount of time we just sat at the top it was about 4 hours but with no breaks could be done in 2.5-3 hours. There is no cell service in the parking lot and on the trail. We had enough service to make a video call at the top of the...

This isn't the most "fun" trail you will ever hike. Almost all of it, up until the split where you start going up to the peak, involves balancing and navigating over big rocks. There are a few sections on boardwalks that are not in the best condition over swampland, so be careful on those. But, it is one of the most rewarding and gorgeous trails I've ever hiked in Minnesota. The views are a great reward, just be ready for a semi grueling hike there and back.

The actual high point is a little further up from the outcropping where the overlook is. Just keep going uphill until you can't anymore (there are paths that go to the actual high point). There is a sign laying on the ground that talks about the history of the spot as well as a geological marker at the high point.

Please tread lightly as the trail is in the bwcaw and pack out what you pack in. Make sure to bring enough water and wear good shoes or hiking boots for navigating...