Beautiful lake that creates a connection between the Cone Lakes and the chain of lakes between Brule Lake and Winchell Lake. Named for the 200 foot high cliffs along the north side of the lake. The cliffs are the south flanks of two hills. The western of these two hills is 2,166 feet in elevation. The eastern hill is 2,161 feet. This makes them some of the highest points in the State of Minnesota. Cliff Lake lies within a geographical feature known as the Misquah Hills.
Cliff Lake is connected to Wanihigan Lake through a small creek that flows out the southeastern corner of the lake. Creek may be intermittent.
The portage to North Cone Lake is generally downhill, with the portage losing about 80 feet of elevation along its course.
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PADDLING FROM THE WANIHIGAN LAKE PORTAGE TO THE NORTH CONE LAKE PORTAGE
Paddling from east to west across the entire length of Cliff Lake between the Wanihigan Lake portage and the North Cone Lake portage. The area of the lake to the south of its only island is relatively shallow, with large boulders visible beneath the lakes clear water. Portage to North Cone Lake -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
