Base camp for Eagle Mountain was located near Red Wing, MN where my father's family was having a reunion. I left pre-dawn one morning to drive some 300 miles (one-way) up to the highpoint.

There's a whole lot of beautiful country on the drive up here, especially along the shore of Lake Superior. I've been to the Boundary Waters for a couple weeklong trips before, so I'm familiar with the beauties of northern Minnesota. However, if I wasn't trying to get back by dinner time, I would I have liked to stop at some of the many waterfalls, scenic vistas or state parks along the way.

Summit photo on Eagle Mountain

I found the trailhead easily enough, and quickly got moving down the trail. I passed a few people who had left just before me, but as I got further along, I was pretty much alone.

The trail starts out mostly level, but when you make the turn to head up Eagle Mountain, you begin a good hill climb. The trail is mostly easy to follow, until very near the top, where there are several divergent paths leading to vistas or the summit. I noticed a small rock cairn and followed it up (right) and then right again and I was suddenly at the top of Minnesota.

View near Eagle Mountain

There was one other person here, and talking with him I learned he must have been just ahead of me on the trail. He mentioned having seen a moose, but it had taken off into the woods after seeing him.

I took a few pictures and then headed back down hill and back to Red Wing.

Trail on Eagle Mountain

On the way back, I learned that the northern Minnesota "Lutherans" are really as polite and calm as Garrison Keillor so often represents. I didn't see anyone driving more than a few miles over the speed limit until I was much closer to Minneapolis. Also, once a line of cars would develop behind a slower driver, they would actually pull over!