2013 Map of McKinley

About this map

Pike Mountain and the Laurentian Divide define the rugged topography of this Iron Range quadrangle in Saint Louis County. The landscape is heavily shaped by its industrial heritage, evident in the extensive Inland Steel Tailings Basin, Sauntry Creek Settling Basin, and the McKinley Tailings Basin located near the town of McKinley. These features reflect a legacy of open-pit mining operations that once drove the local economy. The settlement pattern follows the mineral-rich veins of the Mesabi Range, with towns like Elcor, Gilbert, and Biwabik dotting the map. Natural hydrology remains prominent despite the industrial footprints, as seen in the winding course of the Pike River and smaller bodies of water like Lola Lake and White Lake. Within the Superior National Forest, the map also identifies local landmarks such as the Florenton Cem and the Belgrade Cave near the Belgrade settlement.