The Echo Trail (County Road 116) is less than three miles from Ely. From the Junction of Highways 1 and 169 on Ely's eastside, continue east on Highway 169 for ½ mile and turn left on County Road 88. Travel 2 miles and turn right on the Echo Trail (County Road 116) for the start of your tour. Use this guide to locate points of interest along the way. ENJOY THE ECHO TRAIL!!!!
The Echo Trail began as an actual trail, like most of the main roads in the Ely area. As the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) pushed it's way northward, the trails were developed into roads to accommodate the truckloads of men and supplies. During a time span of less than 20 years, from 1933 to 1950, three trails in the Ely area were opened up for travel. This included the Fernberg Trail (County Road 18), the Ely-Finland Trail (Highway 1 South), and the Echo Trail (County Road 116).
NOTE: A Superior National Forest map is available for sale at Forest Service District Offices or at the Kawishiwi Ranger Station, located in the International Wolf Center, from May 1 to September 30. This map includes the entire Echo Trail.
CCC – Civilian Conservation Corp
BWCAW – Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
USFS – United States Forest Service
DNR – Department of Natural Resources
Click here for a geotagged map of The Echo Trail
| Approx Miles on Echo Trail | Point of Interest |
| .1 | 1. As you look up to the left just as you turn onto the Echo Trail, you will see a high rock ridge. This is evidence of the force and cutting action during the glacial movement. The ridge is used by many species of wildlife, especially in the winter months. Little snow stays on the exposed rock, which makes it a refuge from the deep winter drifts elsewhere. There is no designated hiking trail, but a walk to the top is worth the view. |
| 1.7 | 2. Here on the right is a 410 rod portage into Hobo Lake. Hobo Lake is noted for good panfish, but northern pike and largemouth bass are equally as good. A left off the Hobo Lake portage will take you to the washout area between Bass and Low Lakes. No BWCAW permit is required. |
| 2.6 | 3. The next portage on the right is 220 rods into Bass Lake. This is also the start of the Bass Lake Hiking Trail. The 5 ½ mile trail leads you around historic Bass Lake into old lake bottom areas, over scenic vistas, and through abundant vegetation. There is a self-guiding brochure available at the Kawishiwi Ranger Station, located at the International Wolf Center in the summer months or the Ely Chamber of Commerce. Campsites are available on the lake and no BWCAW permit is required. |
| 3.9 | 4. The big body of water on the left is the east arm of scenic Burntside Lake. This lake stretches more than nine miles to the west and has an extending north arm. Over 100 islands are scattered across the lake. This clear, cold, deep lake is home to lake trout, northern pike, bass, and walleye, but fishing is challenging. Burntside is also the source of water for the City of Ely. Campsites are available and no permit is required. |
| 4.2 | 5. Drive slowly up this hill and allow a few minutes to look out over Burntside Lake. On the left, you will notice how the hillside is growing thick with young aspen trees. In 1976, fire swept through numerous areas on the Echo Trail leaving burned off areas in many spots. Fire is a natural management tool for opening up areas for new growth. Since 1976, when this area burned, it has gone through several vegetation phases, which have provided good wildlife habitat. Berry pickers also found the spot to render some good picking within several years after the fire. |
| 7.1 | 6. On the left there is a 25 rod portage into Everett Lake. This lake has walleyes, northern pike, crappies, and bluegills. On the right side directly across from this portage, is a 120 rod portage into Fenske Lake. No BWCAW permit is required for either lake. |
| 7.7 | 7. Wild rose bushes are abundant in this area. When in bloom, many pink blossoms cover the bushes. The flowers are replaced by rosehips, the fruit of the wild rose. These rose hips are edible, but can taste bitter and are mealy. The can also be boiled for tea and are very high in Vitamin C. |
| 7.9 | 8. Fenske Lake Campground is on the right. This is a National Forest campground with 15 sites, a solar pump, a hiking trail, and a separate public boat access. Walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegills, crappies and northern pike are found there. A paved trail to a fishing pier is provided. This campground is designed for wheel chair accessibility. Fenske Lake is a good alternative to a BWCAW trip. It offers a small chain of lakes accessible by portaging and wilderness type campsites with a firegrate and latrine. No permit is required. |
| 8.1 | 9. If you were to hike back on this small road on your right, you would see the site of the #1774 CCC camp. The old stone fireplaces from the original buildings are still standing, which makes it fun to explore. More recently, this site was used as a Girl Scout Camp. Now it is a group site for Fenske Lake Campground and can be reserved by contacting the USFS. |
| 8.3 | 10. The next major right is the North Grassy Lake Road. This road, built for logging use, opened the way to the Cloquet Line. The Cloquet Line is actually an old railroad grade once used by trains hauling logs from northern logging operations to sawmills in Winton, MN just 3 miles from Ely. Today, both the Grassy Lake Road and the Cloquet Line are used for accessing the Mudro/Range Lake entry points as well as for hunting and sightseeing. |
| 8.9 | 11. The next left is Country Road 644, also called the North Arm Road. This road provides access to Slim Lake, Coxey Pond, Cummings Lake Trail, and a public access to Burntside Lake. YMCA camps are also located on this road. |
| 9.3 | 12. The CCC was responsible for reforestation projects, one of which is evident here on the left. In this particular spot they planted white pine, but they also regenerated areas to red and jack pine. This stand was planted by the Fenske Lake Camp #1774 in the 1930’s. |
| 9.6 | 13. The next road on the right provides public access to Nels Lake. Nels Lake is outside the BWCAW and is a good alternative for a canoe camping experience. There are designated campsites on the lake. Walleye are present. There is a 185 rod portage from Nels to Picket Lake. From Picket, it’s possible to reach Mudro Lake, a BWCAW entry point, with a 30 rod portage. |
| 10.0 | 14. On the right side of the road, is the start of a ½ mile trail into Reganbogen Lake. This is a DNR designated trout lake. Rainbow Trout were first stocked here in 1958. Fishing with live bait is prohibited in all designated trout lakes. In addition to a fishing license, you must also purchase a trout stamp. No BWCAW permit is required. This trail is no longer maintained. |
| 11.3 | 15. This 120 rod portage on the right brings you to South Hegman Lake. This lake is within the BWCAW; therefore, a day use permit or an overnight permit is required. From South Hegman, a 5 rod portage into North Hegman will allow you to paddle to the Indian Pictographs which are located on high rock cliffs on the west shore. These pictographs were painted by the Indians probably within the last 500-1000 years. From North Hegman, you can paddle up a little river into Trease Lake. |
| 13.0 | 16. The Angleworm Lake portage and the Angleworm Trail both provide access to the BWCAW and require a day use or overnight permit before entering. The portage into the lake is 2 ½ miles, while the trail continues around the lake and is 13 ½ miles in total length. Fishermen travel the rough portage for walleyes and northern pike, while hikers tackle the trail for its scenic beauty. |
| 13.0 | 17. Directly across the road from the Angleworm portage is the 240 rod portage into Agassa Lake. There are sites available for camping. No permit is required. |
| 14.0 | 18. Careful as you travel up this hill with the sheer rock cliffs above and Ed Shave Lake below. Imagine the hours of work spent cutting the road through the rock. The lake below is good for walleyes and northerns. No permit is required. |
| 17.0 | 19. This 513 rod portage in to the Stuart River does require a BWCAW permit for overnight stay or a day use permit for a day visit. This portage is especially scenic with virgin white pines along the trail. Try this one for a nice hike! |
| 17.0 | 20. Big Lake, on the left, is the last lake in this self guided tour of the Echo Trail within the Kawishiwi Ranger District, USFS, Ely, MN. There is a public boat landing as well as a 73 rod portage for access. Big Lake is a good alternative canoe route offering nice island campsites and good fishing. |
| 21.0 | 21. Portage River Portage |
| 21.5 | 22. Moose Loop Road #464 |
| 23.0 | 23. Big Moose Trail South (entry point) |
| 23.0 | 24. Nina Moose River Road |
| 24.0 | 25. Nina Moose River (entry point) |
| 24.5 | 26. Moose River South (entry point) |
| 25.0 | 27. Meander Lake Road |
| 29.0 | 28. Little Indian Sioux (entry point) |
| 30.0 | 29. Sioux-Hustler Trail |
| 31.0 | 30. Norway Trail |
| 32.0 | 31. Jeanette Lake Campground |
| 44.0 | 32. Echo Lake Campground |
| 45.0 | 33. Buyck-Crane Lake Road |
| 52.0 | 34. Crane Lake |
**A St. Louis County Map, a Superior National Forest map or the map inside the Ely Vacation Guide will assist you in finding these points of interest.