The Sawtooth Mountains are a range of small mountains on Lake Superiors North shore. It stretches about 30 miles From Carolton Peak on the west to Grand Marais on the east. Of the number of peaks, the highest reaches 900 feet over Lake Superior. While these peaks don’t rival other mountain ranges in height, the Sawtooth Mountain Range has a noteworthy silhouette. Looking at it from a distance, the peaks resemble the teeth of a saw with their uniform size, height, and angles. This is why they were given the name Sawtooth Mountains.
A combination of volcanic activity and erosion created the range over the past billion years. This was a result of the Midcontinent Rift which occurred about 1.1 billion years ago. As the continent split apart magma and lava pushed upward from the lake creating a ridge. Long periods of erosion followed by glacial activity created the peak-filled range we no know as Sawtooth Mountains. Peaks include Carlton Peak, Leveaux Mountain, Oberg Mountain, Moose Mountain, Eagle Mountain, Murphy Mountain, and Sawtooth Bluff.
There are 5 states parks located within the mountain range and many other tourist attractions. Some notable sites include Gooseberry Falls State Park, Judge C. R. Magney State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Superior Hiking Trail, Superior National Forest. Many activities can be enjoyed within the range year-round. In the Summer there are miles of hiking trails to enjoy. In the winter you can go downhill and cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing and so much more.