Eagle Mountain

This route starts and ends at the Eagle Mountain Trailhead on The Grade (Forest Road 170) and reaches the summit of Eagle Mountain (2,301'), Minnesota's highest point for a round trip of about 7 miles. From the trailhead, the route heads north into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on a gradually climbing, rocky, and uneven grade. Several low boardwalks cross wet ground in the first two miles and can be underwater after rain. At about 2 miles, the trail reaches the southern shore of Whale Lake and follows its southern and western sides; near the lake's northwest corner, just past a campsite sign, bear left at the junction with the Brule Lake Trail to continue on the Eagle Mountain Trail. From Whale Lake, the route steepens over the final stretch, climbing several hundred vertical feet and passing two viewpoints before reaching the summit, marked by a boulder, a historical plaque, and a survey monument. Return by retracing the same route, including the boardwalks near Whale Lake.

The highest point of Eagle Mountain stands at 2301 feet above sea level.