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 | |
|---|---|
| Superior National Forest Scenic Byway | |
 Superior National Forest Scenic Byway highlighted in brown | |
| Route information | |
| Maintained by MnDOT | |
| Length | 77.803 mi[a] (125.212 km) |
| Existed | 1999–present |
| Major junctions | |
| West end |   MN 37 / CR 97 in Gilbert |
| East end |  MN 61 in Silver Bay |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| Highway system | |
| |
Route description
editThe 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
editThe 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
edit| County | Location | mi[a] | km | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | Gilbert | 0.000 | 0.000 |  MN 37 west / CR 97 southeast (Sparta Road) | Follows MN 37 east |
| 1.728 | 2.781 |  CR 105 (Indiana Avenue) | |||
| 1.867 | 3.005 |  MN 135 | |||
| Biwabik Township | 4.772 | 7.680 |  CR 20 | ||
| Biwabik | 9.669 | 15.561 |  CR 4 (Vermilion Trail) | ||
| 10.529 | 16.945 |  CR 138 | |||
| Aurora | 13.130 | 21.131 |      MN 135 north / CR 100 east / CR 110 south | Follows CR 100 | |
| 14.630 | 23.545 |  CR 130 east (Forestry Road) | |||
| 15.180 | 24.430 | CR 110 (5th Avenue S.) | Follows CR 110 east | ||
| 16.100 | 25.910 |  CR 130 north (Forestry Road) | |||
| Bassett Township | 34.699 | 55.843 |  CR 16 (Town Line Road) | Follows CR 16 east | |
| 42.550 | 68.478 |  CR 44 south | |||
| Lake | Lake No. 2 | 53.370 | 85.891 |  CSAH 2 south | |
| Silver Creek Township | 54.460 | 87.645 | CSAH 2 north | ||
| Beaver Bay Township | 71.936 | 115.770 |  CSAH 4 south / CSAH 31 north (Lax Lake Road) | Follows CR 4 | |
| 73.956 | 119.021 |  CSAH 5 east | Follows CR 5 | ||
| Silver Bay | 77.803 | 125.212 | MN 61 | ||
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | |||||
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ a b Superior National Forest Scenic Byway (PDF) (Brochure). United States Forest Service. June 2, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- ^ "Trunk Highway Logpoint Listing" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. May 10, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ "Local Roads Log Point Listing: St. Louis County" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. May 4, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
- ^ "Local Roads Log Point Listing: Lake County" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. May 4, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
External links
edit- Map on Google My Maps
- "Superior National Forest Scenic Byway". Explore Minnesota.