I was hoping not to do the "mail drop" route. Is it unrealistic to carry all 10 days of food with me? I thought if we did the Greenstone first, then my pack will have lost a fair amount of food weight by the time we hit the Minong on the way back.

Again, is it unrealistic to carry ALL of my food? I ...

I'm looking to do a loop starting at the east end of the island, i.e. Rock Harbor (3 mile CG or Daisy Farm CG). I want to do a loop that takes the Greenstone and Minong Ridge Trails. What would be the easier direction to hike? Start West down the Greenstone to Windigo and then East back up the ...

Can I rent a canoe, one-way, just to cross Tobin Harbor from Rock Harbor? If so, can I get some more info on that. I don't want to use the water taxi to get there.

I want to take the ferry from Copper Harbor, to Rock Harbor, then when I get there cross Tobin Harbor so I can start my hike on the ...

bergman wrote:Access Lookout Louise by canoe...

I could probably handle a canoe by myself, but what do you do with it when you reach the trail head for lookout Louise? Can you rent it one-way?

Tampico wrote:Lookout Louise is nice; and it's easy to get to.

It looks hard to get to. Either use a water taxi or two nights (and no loop) just to see it.

Where is the best panoramic view on the island?
I am planning an appx. 7 day trip for summer 2013. It will probably be a solo hike, but not sure. Before I get too far into my itinerary, I have my one main question. Everything is pretty much up for grabs... but there's one thing I want to make ...

I plan to use them. I just hiked Hoist Lakes Trails near Glennie, MI, and around mile 7+, I really started feeling it in my knees. I'm 48, and I don't run anymore because it's hard on my knees. I only do low impact (elliptical, bike, etc.) exercise now. After reading your post about the knees... I ...

Are trekking poles a must on the island? Don't really need them? Let us know.

Do you need to worry about hanging your food in a bear bag while on the island to protect it (and yourself) from bears and/or other animals? Or can you just leave it in your pack?

DonNewcomb wrote:...I think gaiters are pretty much a must-have item. You should be able to wind & rain proof every square inch but your face.

Why are gaiters pretty much a must-have item? Is it more for rain, or bugs, or dirt?

Yeah, I don't like the extra time and layovers. I want to take the seaplane, buy I don't know if my son and son-inlaw can afford the extra. I might try to help them cover the difference, but I want to know what all my options are.

It's too bad the queen couldn't wait for the voyager ferry before ...

Thanks WINDSOR... very helpful!

IncaRoads is correct.

I don't want a smaller (3-4 day) loop. I want to pretty much hike the Greenstone Ridge starting at Rock Harbor. I would like to do a detour through McCargoe Cove (stay there one night)/Todd Harbor area, then loop back to the Greenstone Ridge and stay a night at Hatchet Lake ...

Is it possible to take the ferry from Windigo to Rock Harbor and make it there in time to catch the Isle Royale Queen bound for Copper Harbor on the same day?

If not, is there a camp right in Rock Harbor, or do you have to trek out to Three Mile, and then back in to Rock Harbor the next day ...

I've had two overnight backpacking trips so far, and I'm looking to extend the stays in preparation for Isle Royale next year (2013). The overnighters (and maybe even two nighters) are easy to figure out for clothing. But what about a 6, 7, or 8 day trip like the one I'm planning for Isle Royale ...