ROUTES/PORTAGES FROM ZOO LAKE:
To Shrike Lake: Nearly impossible bushwhack
Zoo Lake
Tofte Ranger District
These views of Zoo Lake are from long distance images taken from near the summit of Eagle Mountain.
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 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, so a good place 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.
Exploring Zoo Lake
Click on the photos below to see the full resolution image - Use your browsers back button to close photo and return to this page.
Zoo Lake is to the right of the center of your view. You are looking generally south from the top of Eagle Mountain.
Zoo Lake characterized by its notable peninsula. Shrike Lake is also in your view to the lower left. The prominent hill to the far right is 2,163 feet high. Eagle Mountain, where you are standing, is 2,302 feet high and the highest point in Minnesota. The hill in the distance just left of center is about 2,120 feet in elevation.
Looking down at Zoo Lake from near the top of Eagle Mountain. It is quite breezy. (Some background voices can be heard in this video as it was a busy Saturday on the top of Eagle Mountain. It can be a popular place on weekends.)
Zoo Lake is visible on the right. Shrike Lake is on the left.
