All my trips I've always gone to lakes in the Ely area. I've got a buddy down here who almost always goes to lakes off the Gunflint and Sawbill area. I know the drive from MO to Ely, we turn off I-35 at Cloquet. How far is it from Cloquet on to the Gunflint and Sawbill area?

You will have to drive through Duluth and slow down to 30 mph. Then you have the choice to drive the scenic drive at 55 mph for about 15 miles or the expressway at 65 mph for 15 miles. Go the expressway. After Two Harbors the speed limit is 55 mph the rest of the way. From Cloquet to Tofte it is 85 miles, 1 3/4 hours. Tofte to Sawbill area is 24 miles of dirt washboard road 1 hour long drive. From Cloquet to Grand Marais it is 110 miles 2 1/4 hours. From Grand Marais to the end of the Gunflint trail is 55 miles or 1 hour. The Gunflint trail is a good road.

So many lakes,so little time

Correct me if I am wrong, but the Sawbill Trail was paved and widened something like 15 years ago.

In Duluth, you have to slow down to 30 for about 3 miles of London road (a city street). One stop light in the whole stretch. Otherwise it is 4 lane all the way to Two Harbors.

Marsonite
Only the first mile or so as you climb up from Lake Superior, then it is gravel.
CB

i hope they did something with the sawbill trail--last fall the last part was so bad i was driving 10 MPH on parts of it--same with the "road" between the sawbill and brule lake.on the other hand the echo trail was graded and a good drive.

I stand corrected. I remember the locals railing about the improvements to the Sawbill about 15 years ago, but that must not have included paving. I've only driven on it a few times myself, and my memory isn't getting any better:)

i kinda like the fact almost all of the sawbill trail is still gravel, including the washboarding...it gives me more of a wild feel on the way to the EP.

I agree with kanoes. I was bummed when the Gunflint had all that work done about 20 years ago. made it too accessible.