State: | MN |
Type: | FFH |
Route: | 11 |
Alternate Name: | Superior National Forest Scenic Byway |
Map Custom: | yes |
Map Notes: | Superior National Forest Scenic Byway highlighted in brown |
Length Mi: | 77.803 |
Established: | 1999 |
Direction A: | West |
Terminus A: | in Gilbert |
Direction B: | East |
Terminus B: | in Silver Bay |
The Superior National Forest Scenic Byway (SNFSB), also known as Forest Highway 11, is a combination of state and county highways in Minnesota that travel between the historic communities of the Iron Range and Lake Superior's North Shore. The byway is 78miles of paved, two-lane roads and is marked by navigational signs with the SNFSB logo. The route was given State Scenic Byway status in 1999.[1]
The byway begins in Gilbert, at the intersection of State Highway 37 (MN 37) and Sparta Road. The route follows MN 37 to MN 135, continuing eastward along the latter through Biwabik and then to Aurora, where it leaves MN 135 and follows County Road 100 (CR 100) to the center of town. From there it turns south until the city border, and then resumes its eastward travel along CR 110 to Hoyt Lakes. From Hoyt Lakes the road gradually arcs southward. This portion is also called Skibo Lookout Road, after the Skibo Vista Scenic Overlook, which overlooks the Laurentian Divide.[2] CR 110 ends at its junction with CR 16 (Town Line Road), and the byway route again continues east, through the unincorporated towns of Fairbanks and Basset. Crossing the St. Louis–Lake county line, the roadway becomes CR 15 and passes through Toimi. This is the longest portion of the route, traveling 23miles[1] to Lax Lake Road, where it turns south along CR 4 for approximately 2miles. It then travels east along CR 5 into Silver Bay, ending at MN 61 near the North Shore.
The byway was established in 1999,[1] traveling 61miles from Aurora to Silver Bay.[2] The route was extended in 2014 to Gilbert.[1]