Minnesota · Hiking

Cross

9.0 mi
round trip
531 ft
climb
1,683 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Cross open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Superior National Forest. It doesn't name Cross, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Superior National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cross is a 9-mile out-and-back hike on gravel in the Tofte Ranger District of Superior National Forest in Minnesota, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated hard, and the climb totals about 530 feet of gain and loss over the round trip, with the steepest stretch at about half a mile in. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July averages from a nearby weather station run to a high of 73°F and a low of 54°F, and the trail stays open year-round. The route is not accessible. Bikes are allowed, and the trip takes about 3.5 hours. Fourmile Rustic Campground and Wilson Lake are both about 4 miles away. Paddlers can reach the Temperance River within about 6 miles, and climbers will find Carlton Boulder roughly 7 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Cross

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      17° / -3°

    2. Feb

      21° / -1°

    3. Mar

      33° / 11°

    4. Apr

      44° / 24°

    5. May

      58° / 38°

    6. Jun

      66° / 48°

    7. Jul

      73° / 54°

    8. Aug

      71° / 52°

    9. Sep

      62° / 44°

    10. Oct

      49° / 33°

    11. Nov

      34° / 20°

    12. Dec

      22° / 7°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lutsen 3nne, MN, 15 mi away at 1,300 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Forest-wide Fire Restrictions

      Superior National Forest · Order dated July 12, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Aug 25, 2026 · Forest Service

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

CROSS RIVER/ WRINGER LAKE APhoto: Superior National Forest, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

CROSS RIVER/ WRINGER LAKE A

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SUMMIT VIEWPhoto: Mulad, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

SUMMIT VIEW

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SUGARBUSH OBERG LAKE LOOPPhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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PANCORE LAKE BIKE TRAILPhoto: Superior National Forest, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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ObergPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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CROSS RIVER/ WRINGER LAKE B

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Finger Lake-Elbow Lake

~10 min drive

0.49-mile out-and-back trail at Finger Lake-Elbow Lake in Minnesota.

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SUGARBUSH MAPLE LOOP

~10 min drive

6.45-mile loop trail in Minnesota with 829 ft elevation gain and loss.