Sawtooth Mountains (Minnesota)

The Sawtooth Mountains are a range of small mountains on the North Shore of Lake Superior in the U.S. state of Minnesota, extending about 30 miles (48 km) from Carlton Peak near Tofte on the west, to Grand Marais on the east.

The Sawtooths rise from the lake at angles between 8 and 20 degrees and drop off steeply on their north sides.

[2] They received their name as a result of their relatively uniform size, angles, and regularity of spacing; seen from Lake Superior "the visible crest line thus presents a remarkable profile, resembling the teeth of an immense saw.

In addition to the uplands, the Sawtooths are home to many rivers, waterfalls, and parks.

Wildlife is abundant and includes eagles, hawks, deer, moose, wolves, and many small mammals.

The Sawtooth Mountains on the shore of Lake Superior, looking west by southwest from Grand Marais, Minnesota
Cross-section of the Lake Superior basin east of the Sawtooths, showing the tilted strata of volcanic rock which form the mountains.
Sawtooth Mountains and Lake Superior shore looking east-northeast from Palisade Head .