The standard flow of this route starts at the Superior Hiking Trail parking lot just north of Temperance River State Park. Enjoy a meal at the Trestle Inn, then camp at Silver Island Lake or Lake Kawishiwi. Day two begins with a ride to Sawbill Outfitters and a paddle in the BWCA. You can stay at Lake Clara, or dispersed camping along the route. Day three has you riding over to Lake Kimball or closer to Grand Marais. Day four includes a refresh and refuel in Grand Marais, before rolling back to the starting point.

Route Alternates

This route is highly customizable – including shortening of the route — you may want to shift or expand your ride in one of the following ways:

Continue past the Divide Lake camp to explore more of the double-track of the Isabella ranger district. Some of the best forest tracks in the arrowhead.

Some of the best forest tracks in the arrowhead. Add a night in the 348/347 forest road loop. These are narrow double-track forest roads long considered a worthy mountain-bike ride by themselves. With ample distributed and established camping at the various lakes internal to this loop.

These are narrow double-track forest roads long considered a worthy mountain-bike ride by themselves. With ample distributed and established camping at the various lakes internal to this loop. Shorten the route in any of the following ways – go direct to Silver Lake campground from Trestle Inn via 7, skip Sawbill and the BWCA, head directly to Grand Marais after Devil Track, or ride the Gitchi-Gami and 61’s wide shoulder from Grand Marais to Tofte if you need a bail-out option.

Swimming

There is a lot to see and do, but don’t miss two swimming options not easily visible from the route. The Temperance River swimming hole is just north of 61 on Temperance River Road, noted by a grass parking lot on the road’s east side. Walk your bikes a few yards into the woods and you’ll hear the water, and the delighted yelps of leaping swimmers. The Cascade River has a large waterfall along 45. Access to the water is on the east side of the large, new bridge over the river. As the route climbs past the river on 45, be sure to walk a few yards down the Superior Hiking Trail for a stunning view of the waterfall.

Canoeing

Additional details should you embark on the optional but highly recommended Boundary Waters day trip: Day use permits do not require a reservation and are free. You will still need to fill out a form, drop in the permit box, and bring the form stub along with you as you canoe. Canoes can be rented at Sawbill outfitters. You may reserve ahead, but they typically always have a supply of their Royalex canoes. They are willing to store bicycles in their gear garage for safe keeping.

The Kelso loop is easy to follow, though you should purchase a Boundary Waters map covering the loop at the outfitters. The portages are extremely short and flat and in each case, the canoe can simply be carried by two people if you would rather not hoist it on your shoulders. The loop goes up Sawbill lake, into Kelso Bay on the left side of Sawbill, and then you cross a short (three canoe length) portage into the Kelso River. Follow that around an L-shaped bend, and as you round the point into Lake Kelso, you turn from North to South into the Lake. At the southern end of Lake Kelso you will find a ten canoe length portage into Alton Lake. You head South on Alton lake, crossing to its eastern shore midway down the lake to the final short portage back to Sawbill. From there, it’s a quick paddle back to the landing at Sawbill Outfitters.

Fishing

Fishing licenses are available at the Holiday gas station near the start of the route in Tofte. Sawbill lake has a fishing pier, and there are a few trout streams along the route. Some shoreline fishing is possible at other lakes, and the short Boundary Waters loop offers its best fishing on Alton and Kelso lake.