Birch Highlands

Birch Highlands is a cross-country ski route in northern Minnesota, set within the Kawishiwi Ranger District of Superior National Forest. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land, and the route sits about a mile from the town of Ely. The ski route is an out-and-back of about 1.8 miles, with a total climb of 240 feet. The high point is 1,549 feet, and the steepest stretch comes early in the route, with a grade of about 9 percent. The climb is rated hard, so plan on a steady effort. Winter is the season for skiing here. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ely show January highs around 16°F with lows near -4°F, while July highs reach about 77°F. The station sits at a similar elevation to the route, so temperatures on the trail run about the same. Several other routes and trails start within a tenth of a mile, including Stadium Loops and Mike Manlove for cross-country skiing and Hidden Valley Pine Valley for hiking. Fall Lake campground is about 5.6 miles away.