My Quest to Angle Inlet

Completing the Set

As you may recall, I sometimes have a compulsive need to complete travel sets. So, if you have ever visited Key West, you know of the southern most point marker in the continental USA. After I visited that marker, I got to thinking about the eastern, northern, and western most points in the continental USA. So, as covered in a previous post, I eventually visited the eastern most point in the continental USA…

The southern and eastern points were the easier targets. The others get more difficult and fairly remote. The northern most point in the contiguous USA is Angle Inlet (or Northwest Angle), Minnesota. Believe it or not, you have to leave the USA and drive through remote Manitoba to get to Angle Inlet, MN. This post describes the border crossings and points of interest that I encountered on my quest to get to the northern most point in the USA…

Angle Inlet, Minnesota

Angle Inlet or Northwest Angle, Minnesota, has a population of about 100. Furthermore, this is the only area of the continental USA above the 49th parallel. But, the best distinction of the “Angle” is that the area is completely cut off and separated from the rest of Minnesota. Unless you have access to a boat (I did not), you must drive through Canada to get to the access road to Angle Inlet. A picture tells a thousand words…

As you can see, the Northwest Angle is on its own. Since I had no boat to cross Lake of the Woods, I had to drive and experience the fun of 4 border crossings.

Running the Border…4 times

It should be noted the initial plan was not for a solo border crossing. I was traveling with my friend, a Minor Public Official. However, due to complications with his credentials, the Minor Public Officer was unable to enter Canada. I was forced to leave him at a native American casino, somewhere in Warroad, Minnesota.

Be that as it may, the show must go on. I traveled out of Warroad to the Canadian border. That first crossing was fairly typical. Then, once in Canada, I drove north/northeast through Manitoba. Eventually, you turn directly east on to a dirt road heading toward the Northwest Angle. When you get to the Canada/Minnesota border…don’t expect much. This was my first experienced with an unmanned border crossing. The little blue sign was the only indication that I was crossing the border back into Minnesota. Then, several miles past that, there is “Joe’s Corner.” Its the unmanned kiosk where you check in via the honor system.

First, I do not know who “Joe” is from Joe’s Corner. But, you are supposed to stop at Joe’s Corner to get permission to enter the USA. Then stop again on the way out to get permission to return to Canada. The little kiosk maintains two separate systems for both countries. To get into Minnesota, the USA uses an automated tablet to gather your information. To get back into Canada, you pick up a phone and talk to some French Canadian in their Border Control.

Angle Inlet/Northwest Angle

As for Angle Inlet, the fishing village has about 100 residents. If you live here, your life is in some way tied to fishing and/or hunting charters. Their only year round business is Jerry’s Diner. I was very much looking forward to breakfast with the locals at Jerry’s Diner. However, despite their website’s claim of a 6:30am opening, the diner did not open until 11:30am. So, I went hungry. Beyond Jerry’s, there is Minnesota’s last one room school house and the post office. Point being…unless you are hunting, fishing, or questing for the northern most point in the contiguous USA…there is nothing in Angle Inlet except isolation.

Wrap It Up

What else can I say about my quest to Angle Inlet. Its not for everyone. But, it checked several boxes for me…

• 1) Northern most point in contiguous USA…all eyes now point to Cape Alava, Washington (i.e. western most point)
• 2) I have never met anyone else that has visited Angle Inlet
• 3) Weird border crossings

These things may not mean much for most people. But, these factors are food for the soul for PugsleyTonks. Despite missing breakfast, I had a wonderful morning traversing Manitoba, crossing the border 4 times, and visiting the extremely unique community of Angle Inlet. Oh…for closure, I should mention that I was able to safely retrieve my traveling companion, a Minor Public Official, from the Native American casino. Thankfully, no charges were filed for the issues with his traveling credentials. Have a wonderful day. PT

I hope you have enjoyed reading about “My Quest to Angle Inlet” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.

Here was post when I walked across the Mexican border https://travelingwithpt.com/a-bombing-a-border-crossing/

If you want more on Angle Inlet/Northwest Angle, here you go https://www.exploreminnesota.com/article/explore-northwest-angle-northernmost-point-lower-48