Want to take a trip up to the North Shore and see seven popular summits? Here is a guide for your hiking/running adventure:
Ely’s Peak (not pictured)
Miles: 1.76
Elevation: 370 ft
Parking: Munger Trailhead on 123rdAve W. west of Duluth.
Tips: If you are staying further north, this is a great run to do right away.
Pincushion Mountain:
Miles: 4 miles
Elevation: 530 ft
Parking: There is a parking lot right at the trailhead. 1 Pincushion Dr, Grand Marais, MN 55604
Tips: There is a new trail that was just built. Follow the sign that says “Pincushion Mountain” when you get to the parking lot. When you leave the parking lot, make sure to keep a close eye on the SHT signs and blue blazes. There is a bike path that goes straight, and the hiking path goes to the right early on. This turn is easy to miss.
Lookout Mountain:
Miles: 2.88
Elevation: 660ft
Parking: Park at the Cascade River parking lot on Hwy 61.
Carlton Peak
Miles: 6.9 miles
Elevation: 1,100ft
Parking: Park at the Temperance River parking lot on Hwy 61.
Oberg and Moose Mountain
Miles: 10 miles
Elevation: 1,900 ft
Parking: Oberg Mountain Parking lot
Tips: You can do both of these summits in one longer run, or you can split them up. You can park in the same parking lot for each summit. Moose Mountain will be to the left and the Oberg Loop will be to the right. If you are doing this run during a popular time of the year, make sure to get here early because this lot fills up fast!
Mount Trudee:
Miles: Long way – 13.7 miles; Short way – 9.5 miles
Elevation: Long way – 2,700 ft; Short way – 1500 ft
Parking: Long way – Penn Blvd Trailhead in Silver Bay; Short way – Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center.
Tips: Long way – includes views of Bean and Bear Lake; Short way – includes views of the High Falls of the Baptism River.
*All elevation measures are estimates based on my running watch
I hope you enjoy your trip!