AF_Hiker - Jan 26, 2014 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2010
HP #2
Very nice hike. Took about 3 hours round trip. Minnesota is a beautiful state.
sherlock - Jan 14, 2014 1:01 pm Date Climbed: Apr 25, 2009
V nice...
I proposed to my now-wife on the summit in 2009. It was a tougher hike than I expected -- a mix of a few feet of snow in some parts and flooded trails in others, so it took a little extra effort, but it was totally worth it. Planning to go climb it again this spring/summer.
When we got to Whale Lake, my kids and I enjoyed some Pad Thai we had bought at the co-op in Grand Marais. A nice breeze kept the bugs at bay, and it was the perfect spot for a trail dinner. We had the summit all to ourselves and enjoyed better views than we expected from the ledges near the top.
IagosGhost - Aug 16, 2013 1:18 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2013
Great Family Hike
Took the whole family (six kids ages 13 to 19 months.) I carried the baby in a child carrier on my back which made it a little more strenuous, but otherwise it was an easy hike. The kids loved finding brightly colored mushrooms, flowers, and berries along the way. And they loved stopping by Whale Lake for a snack. The mosquitoes weren't too bad, but we ran out of bug spray. So my arms paid the price. It drizzled on us when we reached the top. But cleared up enough for some great views at the lookout spot. HP #6 for the whole family!
blas9029 - Aug 14, 2013 11:41 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2013
3girlsanddad - Jul 13, 2013 3:51 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2013
Yo where is everyone?
Ok 6:30 AM isn't that early of a time to start your day. Especially when the sun comes up over Lake Superior. I left Tofte at 6:30 and drove up the Caribu Road to the trailhead. Signed in and commenced with my ascent. Once to Whale Lake I saw a campsite, smoke and heard some people. The climb from Whale Lake to the top is serious. Not difficult but rock covered and at times requires some focus. Once at the top the views are simply unbelievable. Several lakes and I heard a loon below. As far as you can see there is simply forest and lake. No signs of others. The BWCA is a treasure. And I got 4G cell service on the top!! Weird but fun. The descent needs to be paid attention to as the rocks give way to roots along the trail heading back from Whale Lake. I encountered my first human 1/4 of a mile from the car on the return trip. A woman, her daughter and their Mastif dog. They didn't have bug spray or a head net.
I recommend the folks at Sawtooth Rentals to help you get your way to the trail head and of course if you are embarking on this journey now keep in mind, the state bird of MN is the Mosquito. Deet and netting will make you smell funny and look goofie but they work and you will really love the remoteness of this HP. No bugs on the top. Really cool morning.
DarrenKnezek - Jul 1, 2013 9:47 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2013
HP#19
Camped at the Split Rock Lighthouse and then drove out here and started hiking around 1 pm. Got back around 4 pm. Views amazing, hike and trail amazing, the mosquitoes were horrific!
xbaghat - Jun 14, 2013 5:48 pm Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2013
forty-three
...
Fletch - Dec 28, 2012 3:57 pm Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2011
Excellent weather
very lucky...
Scrambling Man - Oct 23, 2012 4:12 pm Date Climbed: Oct 21, 2012
Bring Your Oxygen
Acclimated for four days at Whale Lake. Spent our time shuttling oxygen tanks to 2100 feet. Made the summit on a cloudy, foggy, drizzly day.
Nice view of the other Minnesota mountains from the summit. State high point.
gwave47 - Oct 7, 2012 9:10 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2012
HP #45
Nice hike, away from it all. Unfortunately the fall colors disappeared sooner than expected.
incrediblemagpie - Aug 14, 2012 3:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2012
Frenchy's First Summit
Perfect summer day on the North Shore. No bugs and sunshine! Our assault team consisted of five, my brother and his son, my son and his four year old, (Frenchy). First few 1000 yards went really fast. After the 4yr old fell a few times the pace became more leisurely. Those rocks and roots can come up on you fast. At least he does not get much momentum from a height of 4 feet. We met at least four other teams on the trail. We explored at the summit and enroute. Recon for the next adventure.
jeffh25 - Aug 7, 2012 9:30 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2012
HP # 30
Very rocky and mosquitoes a plenty but a beautiful hike. Whale lake is wonderful. Saw 2 ribbon snakes and tons of weird mushrooms but sadly no wolves.
AF_Hiker - Jan 26, 2014 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2010
HP #2Very nice hike. Took about 3 hours round trip. Minnesota is a beautiful state.
sherlock - Jan 14, 2014 1:01 pm Date Climbed: Apr 25, 2009
V nice...I proposed to my now-wife on the summit in 2009. It was a tougher hike than I expected -- a mix of a few feet of snow in some parts and flooded trails in others, so it took a little extra effort, but it was totally worth it. Planning to go climb it again this spring/summer.
skinnywhitecomic - Sep 13, 2013 12:09 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2013
HP #30Very beautiful hike, and a little easier than I anticipated. Probably the most rewarding highpoint of this Midwest trip.
Bark Eater - Sep 10, 2013 6:58 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2013
Best midwest high pointBeautiful hike and great views on a perfect day. #34 HP for me. With Lillian, friend Barry, and pups.
Stu Brandel - Sep 1, 2013 9:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2013
Clear DayClear day, nice view. Rocks were a bit slick in places. That did not stop a couple of trail runners who zipped by me.
technicolorNH - Aug 21, 2013 12:05 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2013
short jauntFirst person to the top that day. The parking lot was all Minnesota aside from my NH plates. Seventy minutes to the top, seventy minutes back down.
chilkoot - Aug 19, 2013 2:21 pm
Nice hikeWhen we got to Whale Lake, my kids and I enjoyed some Pad Thai we had bought at the co-op in Grand Marais. A nice breeze kept the bugs at bay, and it was the perfect spot for a trail dinner. We had the summit all to ourselves and enjoyed better views than we expected from the ledges near the top.
IagosGhost - Aug 16, 2013 1:18 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2013
Great Family HikeTook the whole family (six kids ages 13 to 19 months.) I carried the baby in a child carrier on my back which made it a little more strenuous, but otherwise it was an easy hike. The kids loved finding brightly colored mushrooms, flowers, and berries along the way. And they loved stopping by Whale Lake for a snack. The mosquitoes weren't too bad, but we ran out of bug spray. So my arms paid the price. It drizzled on us when we reached the top. But cleared up enough for some great views at the lookout spot. HP #6 for the whole family!
blas9029 - Aug 14, 2013 11:41 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2013
Done with that oneEasy hike.
VanProosdy - Jul 14, 2013 9:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2013
CompletedAnd, boom goes the dynamite...
3girlsanddad - Jul 13, 2013 3:51 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2013
Yo where is everyone?Ok 6:30 AM isn't that early of a time to start your day. Especially when the sun comes up over Lake Superior. I left Tofte at 6:30 and drove up the Caribu Road to the trailhead. Signed in and commenced with my ascent. Once to Whale Lake I saw a campsite, smoke and heard some people. The climb from Whale Lake to the top is serious. Not difficult but rock covered and at times requires some focus. Once at the top the views are simply unbelievable. Several lakes and I heard a loon below. As far as you can see there is simply forest and lake. No signs of others. The BWCA is a treasure. And I got 4G cell service on the top!! Weird but fun. The descent needs to be paid attention to as the rocks give way to roots along the trail heading back from Whale Lake. I encountered my first human 1/4 of a mile from the car on the return trip. A woman, her daughter and their Mastif dog. They didn't have bug spray or a head net.
I recommend the folks at Sawtooth Rentals to help you get your way to the trail head and of course if you are embarking on this journey now keep in mind, the state bird of MN is the Mosquito. Deet and netting will make you smell funny and look goofie but they work and you will really love the remoteness of this HP. No bugs on the top. Really cool morning.
DarrenKnezek - Jul 1, 2013 9:47 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2013
HP#19Camped at the Split Rock Lighthouse and then drove out here and started hiking around 1 pm. Got back around 4 pm. Views amazing, hike and trail amazing, the mosquitoes were horrific!
xbaghat - Jun 14, 2013 5:48 pm Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2013
forty-three...
Fletch - Dec 28, 2012 3:57 pm Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2011
Excellent weathervery lucky...
Scrambling Man - Oct 23, 2012 4:12 pm Date Climbed: Oct 21, 2012
Bring Your OxygenAcclimated for four days at Whale Lake. Spent our time shuttling oxygen tanks to 2100 feet. Made the summit on a cloudy, foggy, drizzly day.
Andrej21 - Oct 19, 2012 12:10 am
YepNice view of the other Minnesota mountains from the summit. State high point.
gwave47 - Oct 7, 2012 9:10 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2012
HP #45Nice hike, away from it all. Unfortunately the fall colors disappeared sooner than expected.
incrediblemagpie - Aug 14, 2012 3:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2012
Frenchy's First SummitPerfect summer day on the North Shore. No bugs and sunshine! Our assault team consisted of five, my brother and his son, my son and his four year old, (Frenchy). First few 1000 yards went really fast. After the 4yr old fell a few times the pace became more leisurely. Those rocks and roots can come up on you fast. At least he does not get much momentum from a height of 4 feet. We met at least four other teams on the trail. We explored at the summit and enroute. Recon for the next adventure.
jeffh25 - Aug 7, 2012 9:30 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2012
HP # 30Very rocky and mosquitoes a plenty but a beautiful hike. Whale lake is wonderful. Saw 2 ribbon snakes and tons of weird mushrooms but sadly no wolves.
larch32 - Mar 5, 2012 11:35 pm
Yeah Minnesota!A nice early spring hike.