our trip greenstone ridge august 31-sept 3,2013

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you can do it 2
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our trip greenstone ridge august 31-sept 3,2013

Post by you can do it 2 »

I want to thank all the people that wrote in Isle Royale forums. My husband (70) and I (57) learned a lot.
My husband dreamed of walking the Greenstone Ridge trail. We successfully did this Aug 31-Sept 3,2013 without a problem.
We started out each with 29 lbs backpacks (including water). We never backpacked or overnight camped previous.
We are both active but over 3 months increased our walking. I'd get up to 9,6,6 miles weekly on my days off. The two weeks prior-we used our backpacks.(osprey ariel 65 and deuter) I carried 20 lbs and my husband 30 lbs.
We drove to Grand Portage Mn and stayed at the Casino- 3 miles away from the marina. Got up on Sat-at 545 am (central standard time)-went to the store near the casino for coffee and rolls. (breakfast at the casino starts at 7am).
We arrived at the marina at 630am to catch the Vogager 11. We left on time at 730am and the 2 hour trip to Windago was calm.
We arrived at 1030 am (eastern standard time). We had our ranger talk, hit the restrooms and started on the trail by 1115am .
We reached Island mine post at 215pm. Decided no lunch as mosqitoes gathered when you stopped. Arrived at Lake Desor campsite #6 at 445pm. Set up our tent (big agnes fly creek 3 person), filled our geirring hydration 3litre bags with filter and carefully rinsed off our sweat in lake. (very rocky). We ate our chicken salad sandwiches from lunch. We were not hungery. Settled in for the night by 630pm. It started lighting,thundering and pouring by 8pm til 10 am. Our tent did not leak but had a slight mist by am. We fit in good with room at our heads for backpacks - could not imagine having 3 people in that tent.
11.6 miles covered. Saw moose and wolf tracks on the trail.
Sunday
It took us 1.5 hrs to pack up in the morning as we tried to wipe off the tent and keep our stuff dry. We wore gaiters and garbage bags lower part of our bodys for half the day. It kept us dry.
We were on the trail at 1140 am. It took me 25minutes carefully getting up desor trail as it was wet/slippery/steep. Our trekking poles were life saving. ( I used mine 90% of the time-helped my knees-my husband used them rarely-just the steep /wet
areas.)
We arrived at Isheming Pt at 1206 pm. We were disappointed you can't see anything there. The tower is locked down. Thus the walk so far was in the trees. We met a group of 4-who were soaked /wet to the waist -no gaiters/raingear while there for lunch.
Prior to the trip -I practiced walks in my boots -one day it poured on me-it took 2 days for my boots to dry out. I ordered gaiters at that time for us. We took 45 minutes lunch. It was nice to have the back packs off for awhile.
We arrived at Lake Hatchet campsite group site #2 at 445pm as no one else was at L.H. The single sites were further down the
trail. Tent up/filled our water/rinsed off in lake. Not as rocky but blood suckers there. Boilded water with jetboil and had hot chicken and mash potatoes . Rinsed our clothes we wore and hung on the line. Turned in at 730pm. It was very windy. Later wer heard the boats were canceled that day.
8.1 miles covered.
Monday-Everything was dry when we came out of our tent in the am. No gaiter day!
We were on the trail at 822 am and arrived at West Chickenbone campsite #6 at 155pm. We were the only ones there at that time. (later 3 sets of two and single person arrived) .It was sunny,no mosqositos. We enjoyed watching at rabbit,squirrel,snake.
Turned in at 830pm .
7.9 miles covered. Around Mt. Siskit area your finally get some views- out of the trees
Tuesday- woke up to lots of dew. Wore the gaiters and garbages til noon.
On the trail by 809am. Arrived at Mt Ojaway at 1205pm ,finally out of the trees and seeing lake/scenic views of the lake N,S,W.
Took lunch break 1 1/4 hr. Took off our boots and hung sweaty socks on the tower to blow dry. Was refreshing. We arrived at Rock Harbor at 515pm... Tired. we got a room at Rock Harbor Lodge. Showered and had supper -trout and wild rice. Delicous!
The rooms at the lodge are right on Lake Superior. Wonderful view and great listening to the waves. Needless to say we were sleeping by 830 pm.
15.1 miles covered.
Wednesday- We had our final day. Took a short walk to Suzy Cave 3.6 miles for fun.
Stopped at R.H. store and bought a R.H. shot glass for my niece who has a collection. Told her on one else had walked 42.7 miles to buy a shot glass for her.
Thursday 9am (est) traveled back to Grand Portage (was calm and sunny) . Arrived at 3pm (cst). Enjoyed the view of the shore of the island from the Voyager 11.
Hope this of interest to others.
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NancyT
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Re: our trip greenstone ridge august 31-sept 3,2013

Post by NancyT »

Nice short but sweet trip report. I'm amazed that you both did it with such ease, without ever backpacking before. I am impressed.
My dream was also to do the Greenstone, but we took our time to enjoy every view and every campsite. I can't imagine doing it in three days. Good for you!!
Thanks for sharing.
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Tightlines01
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our trip greenstone ridge august 31-sept 3,2013

Post by Tightlines01 »

Quite impressive. Sounds like you guys were well prepared and equipped. Great job getting both packs in under 30# to start, I know from experience the difference it makes.

I enjoyed your trip report. Perhaps you'll enjoy some other views on another trip
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hooky
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Re: our trip greenstone ridge august 31-sept 3,2013

Post by hooky »

Thanks for the inspiring trip report.
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