Superior National Forest Scenic Byway

The Superior National Forest Scenic Byway (SNFSB), also known as Forest Highway 11, is a combination of state and county highways in Minnesota that travel between the historic communities of the Iron Range and Lake Superior's North Shore. The byway is 78 miles (126 km) of paved, two-lane roads and is marked by navigational signs with the SNFSB logo. The route was given State Scenic Byway status in 1999.[1]

Federal Forest Highway 11 marker

Federal Forest Highway 11

Superior National Forest Scenic Byway
Superior National Forest Scenic Byway highlighted in brown
Route information
Maintained by MnDOT
Length77.803 mi[lower-alpha 1] (125.212 km)
Existed1999–present
Major junctions
West end MN 37 / CR 97 in Gilbert
East end MN 61 in Silver Bay
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
Highway system
  • Minnesota Trunk Highway System

Route description

The byway begins in Gilbert, at the intersection of State Highway 37 (MN 37) and Sparta Road. The route follows MN 37 to MN 135, continuing eastward along the latter through Biwabik and then to Aurora, where it leaves MN 135 and follows County Road 100 (CR 100) to the center of town. From there it turns south until the city border, and then resumes its eastward travel along CR 110 to Hoyt Lakes. From Hoyt Lakes the road gradually arcs southward. This portion is also called Skibo Lookout Road, after the Skibo Vista Scenic Overlook, which overlooks the Laurentian Divide.[2] CR 110 ends at its junction with CR 16 (Town Line Road), and the byway route again continues east, through the unincorporated towns of Fairbanks and Basset. Crossing the St. Louis–Lake county line, the roadway becomes CR 15 and passes through Toimi. This is the longest portion of the route, traveling 23 miles (37 km)[1] to Lax Lake Road, where it turns south along CR 4 for approximately two miles (3.2 km). It then travels east along CR 5 into Silver Bay, ending at MN 61 near the North Shore.

History

The byway was established in 1999,[1] traveling 61 miles (98 km) from Aurora to Silver Bay.[2] The route was extended in 2014 to Gilbert.[1]

Major intersections

CountyLocationmi[lower-alpha 1]kmDestinationsNotes
St. LouisGilbert0.0000.000
MN 37 west / CR 97 southeast (Sparta Road)
Follows MN 37 east
1.7282.781 CR 105 (Indiana Avenue)
1.8673.005 MN 135
Biwabik Township4.7727.680 CR 20
Biwabik9.66915.561 CR 4 (Vermilion Trail)
10.52916.945 CR 138
Aurora13.13021.131


MN 135 north / CR 100 east / CR 110 south
Follows CR 100
14.63023.545
CR 130 east (Forestry Road)
15.18024.430 CR 110 (5th Avenue S.)Follows CR 110 east
16.10025.910
CR 130 north (Forestry Road)
Bassett Township34.69955.843 CR 16 (Town Line Road)Follows CR 16 east
42.55068.478
CR 44 south
LakeLake No. 253.37085.891
CSAH 2 south
Silver Creek Township54.46087.645
CSAH 2 north
Beaver Bay Township71.936115.770

CSAH 4 south / CSAH 31 north (Lax Lake Road)
Follows CR 4
73.956119.021
CSAH 5 east
Follows CR 5
Silver Bay77.803125.212 MN 61
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

Notes

  1. Mileage is calculated from MnDOT logs of state and county roads.[3][4][5]

References

  1. Superior National Forest Scenic Byway Council (May 2015). Superior National Forest Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan Update (PDF). Arrowhead Regional Development Commission. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  2. Superior National Forest Scenic Byway (PDF) (Brochure). United States Forest Service. June 2, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  3. "Trunk Highway Logpoint Listing" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. May 10, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  4. "Local Roads Log Point Listing: St. Louis County" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. May 4, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  5. "Local Roads Log Point Listing: Lake County" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. May 4, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
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