Minnesota · Cross-country skiing

Northwest Passage

0.6 mi
round trip
155 ft
climb
1,486 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Aug–Sep
best months

Is Northwest Passage open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Superior National Forest. It doesn't name Northwest Passage, 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.

Northwest Passage is a cross-country ski route in the Kawishiwi Ranger District of Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, managed by the Forest Service. The route is short, about a mile long, and it's an out-and-back that starts and ends at roughly 1,440 feet, with a high point of 1,486 feet and a total elevation gain of about 155 feet. The climb is steepest near the start, with a 10% grade at about 0.22 miles in. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ely show January highs around 15°F with lows near -7°F, while March runs about 36°F by day and 10°F at night. The station sits a few hundred feet lower than the route, so temperatures on the trail run slightly cooler. Several other routes lie within half a mile, including High Road, Old Road and Slim Portage for skiing, and the North Junction-NW Loop for hiking. Fenske Lake Campground, about 2 miles away, offers pier fishing.

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