1959 Map of Pine Lake West

About this map

The Canada United States border cuts through the northern reaches of this wilderness landscape, following the waters of Fan Lake, Vaseux Lake, and Pemmican Lake. Situated within the Superior National Forest, the terrain is defined by a dense network of lakes and ridges, notably the prominent Moose Mountain which stands north of Canuck Lake. This 1950s survey captures the primitive transportation routes used to navigate the international boundary, including the Great Cherry Portage and Lesser Cherry Portage near the Thunder Bay District and Cook County line. Long, linear water bodies like West Pike Lake and Pine Lake dominate the central geography, separated by narrow ridges. To the south, smaller catchments such as Spaulding Lake, Crystal Lake, and Pierz Lake fill the basins between high ground, illustrating the complex drainage patterns of the Minnesota arrowhead region before modern recreational development.