River Length: North Branch Cascade River has its headwaters at Fishhook Lake. From there if flows through Eagle Lake and then through Shrike Lake. After Shrike Lake it makes several twists and turns for perhaps two miles or so, before its mouth empties into the Cascade River. Total river length is around three miles.
Campsites: None
Wildlife Seen on Visit: None
Last Visited: May 27, 2021; Previous Visit(s): August 22, 2015 (seen from distance)
Lake Elevation: The headwaters are at about 1835 feet at Eagle Lake. Its mouth at the Cascade River is about 1750 feet. An 85 foot drop in three miles.
Water Clarity: N/A
ROUTES/PORTAGES FROM THE NORTH BRANCH CASCADE RIVER:
None
The only views of the North Branch Cascade River are from long distance images taken from near the summit of Eagle Mountain. This is a branch of the Cascade River which is often visited by North Shore tourists driving along Lake Superior.
There are several lakes that can be seen from the top of Eagle Mountain, namely: Eagle Lake, Shrike Lake and Zoo Lake. The North Branch Cascade River is also visible on a clear day. In addition, it
is also probably possible to see Crow Lake from Eagle Mountain, but not from the vantage point that the views shown on this web page were taken from.
Note: Cascade Lake is also visible from the Eagle Mountain summit area (out beyond Shrike Lake and Zoo Lake), but it is not within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA).
There are no standard canoe routes into any of these lakes or the North Branch Cascade River, so the best (aka easiest) opportunity to see them is from the top of Eagle Mountain. To reach any of these lakes from ground level would require a substantial bushwhacking effort.
Click on the photos below to see the full resolution image - Use your browsers back button to close photo and return to this page.
VIEWS OF THE RIVER FROM THE BRULE LAKE TRAIL
The North Branch Cascade River has its headwaters at Fishhook Lake. The river begins where it flows out of that notch (just right of center). This view is from the campsite on Fishhook Lake.
This pond along the North Branch Cascade River is about 2000 feet downstream from the rivers source at Fishhook Lake.
This little set of rapids is where the Brule Lake Trail fords the North Branch Cascade River.
View upstream from where the Brule Lake Trail crosses the river. Return to hiking the Brule Lake Trail -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
VIEWS OF THE RIVER FROM NEAR THE SUMMIT OF EAGLE MOUNTAIN
The North Branch Cascade River is seen to the east, just left of the center of your view. Shrike Lake flows out into the North Branch Cascade River. Eagle Lake is the headwaters of North Branch Cascade River. The river connects Eagle Lake to Shrike Lake. Zoo Lake drains directly into Shrike Lake through a small creek.
Distant view of the North Branch Cascade River from near the summit of Eagle Mountain.
Taking in the entire panoramic view from the top of Eagle Mountain. The North Branch Cascade River is furthest to the left (east).
Taking a closer look.
The North Branch Cascade River flows through a marshy valley. This section of the river appears slow moving. Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
Route Connections for North Branch Cascade River
From North Branch Cascade River, you can paddle into Shrike Lake (if you can get there) or the Cascade River.
