Lake Mine Quarry,
Minnesota

On Minnesota's Iron Range, just north of Duluth in Biwabik, is Lake Mine Quarry. One of many water-filled abandoned mines once rich with iron ore, Lake Mine is now a popular place for scuba divers. The dive site is about 15 miles from Virginia, Minnesota. The public landing provides easy access to the quarry, but there are other points of entry along the dirt road that breaks off the landing parking lot. Lake Mine is only a few miles from the Giants Ridge Recreational Area.

Depths to: 400-plus feet.

Visibility: 5-50 feet, depending on the weather.

Water temperature: Early spring and late fall you can find yourself in 40-degree-Fahrenheit (5-degree-Celsius) water. The summer temps range around 70 F (21 C) above the thermocline, which is about 30 feet (9 m) down.

Aquatic life: Sunfish, bluegills, suckers, trout, northern pike, turtles, bass, and walleyes. Underwater attractions include the pillar on the west end, old buildings, pipes coming out of the banks, walls, and a large air tank.

Other amenities: Restaurants and motels are within a few miles.

For more info: Visit www.irontrail.org/Recreation/Summer/Scuba+Diving.

Getting there: From Duluth, drive U.S. Highway 53 north to Eveleth. Turn east onto Minnesota Highway 37 and take that through Gilbert. Take another right onto Minnesota Highway 135 to Biwabik..