West Huginnin Cove Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Spectacular views of Huginnin Cove on the Lake Superior shore at trail's end reward the avid hiker. Huginnin Cove is a scenic day stop or an overnight stay at the beach side camp sites. The trail is narrow and densely overgrown with head high foliage, dense forest and crosses many streams and buggy marshes with foot-wide planking. A few up and downs over heavily wooded ridges must be tackled.

In reaching the West Huginnin Cove Trail marker, to get there, depart from Windigo along the 1.4-mile Washington Creek Trail. Shortly after crossing the Washington Creek bridge, the trail reaches the junction of the Minong Ridge Trail and West Hugginin Cove Trail.

Take the West Huginnin Trail westward and climb a ridge with glimpses of Washington Harbor. Descend and then climb another steep 80-foot ascent and the trail turns northward. Each descent crosses streams where moose can sometimes be seen. Another steep 120-foot climb through dense forest and a descent brings visitors to the rocky shore of Huginnin Cove, where there are beach side camp sites and a vault toilet. At the Cove, hikers can soak their feet in the cold water, skip stones on the cobblestone beach and enjoy the views of the lake and sea birds. Distant views of the shores of Minnesota and Ontario can be seen on clear days.

There is a trail marker for the East Huginnin Cove Trail, a more scenic path back to Windigo. Or you may return the way you came but come back changed.

Moose can be seen near the ponds and streams. The trail is lined with numerous flowering plants, such as Canada Dogwood, Thimbleberry, Wild Prickly Rose, and Wild Iris.