Sentinels

Sentinels is a cross-country ski route in the Kawishiwi Ranger District of Superior National Forest in Minnesota, within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Mining Protection Area Mineral Reserve Area. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route sits about a quarter mile from the North Arm trail and the Moose Horn Loop, which makes it easy to link with other outings in the area. The route is a short out-and-back, about half a mile long, with a total climb of 92 feet. The steepest part comes early, at about 0.1 mile, where the grade reaches 11 percent. The high point is 1,481 feet, and the route is rated moderate. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ely show January highs around 15°F with lows near -7°F, while February is a little milder, with highs around 23°F. Summer is much warmer, with July highs near 79°F. Several other routes and trails start within a tenth of a mile, including the North Arm and the Slim Lake Loop. Fenske Lake Campground, about 3.3 miles away, offers pier fishing, and the Circle Route, a canoeing route about 4.5 miles off, rounds out the options.