Superior National Forest/BWCA

Introduction

Other Trails
Astrid Trails
Birch Trail
Coxey Pond Trail
South Farm
GW Pine Plantation
Flathorn-Gegoka
Herriman Lake
Jasper Hills Trail
Big Moose Trail
North Junction
Pincushion Mountain
Slim Lake Trail
Tucker Lake
Bird Lake

Approximately 14 miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails in the Herriman Lake system are now complete. Loops of different lengths and difficulty offer a wide variety of skiing adventures for novices to experts. About half of the completed distance lies within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. BWCA travel permits are not required in the winter, but all other wilderness regulations remain in effect. Signing is minimal; no trail signs are used within the wilderness.

The Echo River picnic site is located at the rapids, 0.4 mile from the trailhead. This is a day-use area only. There are three BWCA campsites on the trail system, reached by spur trails off the main route.

Location: The Herriman Lake Trails are located about 43 miles northeast of Cook, Minnesota, near Crane Lake.

Access: Off County Road 424, about 2 miles east from County Road 24. The trailhead on the east side of the road is signed. There is a plowed parking area on the west side of the road.

Recreation Opportunity Class: Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized

Shortly after you cross the bridge over the Echo River, your choices of trail routes begin. You can continue eastward on the main trail past Knute Lake to the shores of Little Vermilion Lake. This route includes some challenging hills and corners, particularly east of Knute Lake. One loop east of Knute Lake begins and ends at the main trail. Another trail switchbacks to the south side of Herriman Lake for some bird's-eye views, and then drops to join the trail along the Echo River. (This section of trail is recommended for hiking only, but can be skied by experts.)

The route south along the Echo River, from the picnic site to the Herriman Lake junction, is the easiest section. This gently-rolling trail becomes a more difficult climb on its way to the ridgetop south of Baylis Lake. Vistas of oxbows along the river and views of the surrounding miles of forest are worth the climb up and the wild race back down to the Echo River picnic site.

The Dovre Lake loop is the most recent addition to this system. Along its 4-mile length, it crosses a number of ledgerock outcroppings and provides good view points of Dovre Lake, beaver ponds, and the surrounding forest.