Moose Mountain SNA

177 Acres Located just N of Duluth, from MN Hwy 61, W on 60th Street, then N 3 miles on Lester River Road (Co Rd 12). Parking lot on E side of road. St. Louis County Twp 51N Rng 13W Sec 22 Type: Coniferous Forest ECS Subsection: North Shore Highlands

Description:

Moose Mountain is an excellent example of old growth northern hardwood forest and northern hardwood succession following wildfire. Sugar maple, basswood, and yellow birch dominate. Two rare plants, white baneberry and moschatel, are found here. Moschatel, the only species in its family in North America, is uncommon over most of its range, particularly with the loss of hardwood forest habitat. It prefers slopes with cold, moist air drains. The best example of old growth hardwoods is on the south side of the powerline, just over the top of the hill. The area upslope of the old growth and to the north shows direct evidence of the wildfires of the early 1900s. The best times to visit this site are during the spring wildflower blooming season and in late fall for the dramatic fall colors.

Plant List