Questions from a first timer...

Questions about trails and campsites on the island.

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WindChill
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Questions from a first timer...

Post by WindChill »

Hello all,
My Scout Troop has decided on Isle Royale for our trip this summer. Ive been lurking around here for a few months and we have Mike T's book; both have been a big help. Now we're far enough in the planning to ask a couple of questions and get a sanity check...

Our trip is the last week of June with 5 days on the island. We'll go through Grand Portage and need a campground for the night before and the night after. Looks like the only place in GP is the casino campground. Judge Magney State Park is about 30 minutes down the road so that is probably an option. Any input on either of those locations, or other suggestions for tent camping preferably with a group site?

We are planning to take the Voyager to Windigo then on to McCargo Cove. We'll hike from there back to Windigo and take Sea Hunter back to GP. I emailed with Isle Royale Boats, they say we can use both boats like this as long as we make the reservations that way. Anything to be aware of with this plan?

The plan is to hike from McCargo Cove to Todd Harbor, South Lake Desor, Siskiwit Bay, Feldtman Lake and back to Windigo. The miles look manageable but if we are not making enough progress we have a bail-out option by dropping the Feldtman loop (doing S Lake Desor/Island Mine/Washington Creek instead) to make sure we dont miss the boat. Any thoughts on the route?

We'll have a group of 7 so will be at the group sites. How are the trees for using a hammock?

Thank you
Jay
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Tom
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by Tom »

Welcome to the forum!

Looks like the only place in GP is the casino campground. Judge Magney State Park is about 30 minutes down the road so that is probably an option. Any input on either of those locations, or other suggestions for tent camping preferably with a group site?

Umm, one is an awesome State Park, the other is a quite open trailer-ready campground. Far more things to see and prep the legs at Magney. The casino campground is just a place to stay.

We are planning to take the Voyager to Windigo then on to McCargo Cove. We'll hike from there back to Windigo and take Sea Hunter back to GP. I emailed with Isle Royale Boats, they say we can use both boats like this as long as we make the reservations that way. Anything to be aware of with this plan?

No issues... In fact, it's why many of us love coming from Minnesota - It provides options, and GPIR Lines is very accommodating. Just book the reservation that way.

The plan is to hike from McCargo Cove to Todd Harbor, South Lake Desor, Siskiwit Bay, Feldtman Lake and back to Windigo. The miles look manageable but if we are not making enough progress we have a bail-out option by dropping the Feldtman loop (doing S Lake Desor/Island Mine/Washington Creek instead) to make sure we dont miss the boat. Any thoughts on the route?

Depending on the hiking experience, I think you should be fine. You'd really be cutting out a great loop if you passed Feldtmann, but I understand it's good to have options. Just based on simple trail miles, you'll be really close to your 50-miler for the scouts. (Perhaps that's the intent, many groups come up to IR for that.) - So, if you need to add a few miles to reach that milestone, consider adding a hike to Chickenbone from McCargoe (you'll have plenty of time in late June), the hike to Rainbow Cove at Feldtmann (a must do, anyway) and you could always hike them around the Hugginin Loop. The section of Minong from McCargoe to Todd is IMHO the easiest; the Greenstone to Desor South will provide some great views (mainly to the south); the hike from Desor to Siskiwit has some nice terrain but is more in the woods. The last two legs both provide some great views; Siskiwit to Feldtmann has the tower to give you a great stop, and is mostly a ridge-follow walk; the last day to Windigo crosses over several ridges instead of following them. All pretty easy to follow/route find, though.


We'll have a group of 7 so will be at the group sites. How are the trees for using a hammock?

Well, if you're all bringing hammocks you might be screwed, but most sites would have room for one or two without problem. The group sites tend to be more open, and so a few solid trees on the fringe is what you need. Todd Harbor's group site is awesome, btw. It's one of the camps where I think the group sites are better than the individuals...
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by Ingo »

It sounds to me like you have it pretty well covered Jay. Judge Magney is nice and has trails--the G.P. campground is convenient but not much more than a place to pitch a tent--it shows up pretty well on satellite photos. I would probably just do G.P. the night before and worry a little less about getting to the boat on time. And on the way back do Judge Magney, or another park farther down the shore since the boat gets back around 3.

McCargoe to Windigo sounds like a good plan and I like having the bailout option. There's no problem at all with using both boats--I would do the same for this itinerary. Have a great trip!
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by tree rattt »

I would throw another vote to GP.The more you can eliminate murphy's law the better. Besides everyone is usually pretty psyced up anyway, so it puts you closer to the action. Other than that it sounds like a good trip plan.Should be a lot if fun!

On a side note. I was just curious where your troop was out of, if you don't mind me asking.I just heard that my nephew's troop was headed up around that time of year.Just curiosity :)

Good luck in your planning.
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by hooky »

I did part of your proposed route (S. Desor, Siskiwit, Feldtman) with a hammock. S Desor's group sites are lacking for a good place to hang as are siskiwit's sites. I agree with Tom. A couple of hammocks would be fine, but any more would be iffy.
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by WindChill »

Thanks for the feedback. I've made a note of the side hikes that Tom suggests. Ingo's suggesion of doing the casino before and Judge Magney after makes sense.

I would be the only one with a hammock so it sounds like it will be worth taking - I sleep so much better in the hammock.

tree rattt - my Troop is from outside of Cedar Rapids Iowa. I also know of a Troop from Iowa City that is going a week or so before us.

A couple more things came to mind:
We have the NatGeo map for planning. Are the trails well enough marked to use this map on the trail, or do most folks get (or print) 1:24k topos?

Our tradition is to hit a good local restaurant for a meal before heading home. Looks like a few good places in Grand Marais that we could hit for lunch the next day. Mike T's book suggests Rydens north of GP. Any place else along the north shore that you'd recommend?
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by Tom »

The NatGeo map is perfectly fine. (I've seen people hike the Island with just the simple printed map in a brochure, but I wouldn't recommend it.)
The first trail day (McCargoe to Todd) has a few rocky ridges, but there will be cairns if needed and in general it's well tread enough. The rest of the trip is quite well tread and often on soil, and easy to follow. Trail intersections are marked with a vertical pole, about 3' high. Camps are marked with a similar post, with a camp map placard. They're normally brown or green treat, though, so I've watched people hiking with their head down walk right past...

As for dining, in Grand Portage, the casino/lodge is all there is. Ryden's closed the restaurant in favor for border shipping a couple years back. (Bummer, too, it was really good for breakfast.)
There is a "Trading Post" gas station that carries a few token items. Naniboujou is between Portage and Marais, but I wouldn't call it Scout friendly. Funky, though. Grand Marais has several options. Sven and Ole's Pizza (which has a certain Wall Drug cultness, it would seem, not because the food is amazing); Angry Trout, and another that it escaping my brain. "Fast Food" starts around Two Harbors.
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by tree rattt »

I always strike out on the gas station/ trading post in the morning for coffe. It doesn't seem to open early enough.

No Windchill, I guess I got the wrong pack.You have a pretty good haul though.

I bet someone on here could recomend a good lunch stop in Superior Wi :)
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by WindChill »

Thanks again. Spending part of this cold snowy day marking up the map with things to see from Mikes book.
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by MikeT »

Jay,
Ryden's is indeed closed. I am not sure when it was updated in the book (2014?), but it was closed in 2013. I believe you bought the "basic plus" which is a one time download of the book and program without updates and it must not have been noted in that version.

As far as maps, the latest version of the "ultimate" program includes full page 1:24000 scale formatted maps of all of the long trails that can be printed (the short trails are being added next).

I have worked with a couple of Scout Leaders recently and put together special packages for them and their troops. I plan on putting up a note on the site for Scout Leaders to contact me about special packages, but I have not gotten to it yet (or maybe even a "Group" package). I figure this is creating the next generation to enjoy and protect the island (and the earth in general). I don't know how many times I've heard people begin talking about Isle Royale by starting with something like "I was there when I was a Boy Scout...". The packages includes special pricing for a group license for everyone so they can all have a copy of the book and program to look at, help plan and be able to look at and, with the gadgets available, see on their I-pad / kindle / smartphone / tablet / etc. Plus, it is theirs for sharing memories of their trip or, planning a trip on their own.

Anyway, send me a private Email at mike@isleroyale.info and we can discuss it. This goes for ANY Scout or other organization.
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by WindChill »

Thanks for the offer Mike, Ill drop you a note.

MikeT wrote: I figure this is creating the next generation to enjoy and protect the island (and the earth in general). I don't know how many times I've heard people begin talking about Isle Royale by starting with something like "I was there when I was a Boy Scout...".
Everyone Ive talked to locally and everything Ive read online says there is something special about ISRO that people dont feel at other parks. One friend even credits his first trip to the island as the reason for pursuing a career in conservation. Im really looking forward to finding out what it is that is so special.
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Re: Questions from a first timer...

Post by JerryB »

You will have a great trip. I took a Scout troop along a similar route a few years ago and we have two groups from the troop going this summer. One caution on the bail out option--groups (unlike individuals) are required to follow the permit's listed itinerary. I have had rangers check the permit in the past. Of course, a true emergency is another matter.

Drive to Grand Marais for lunch/dinner once off the island. Angry Trout is fantastic. Next door is an even more casual fish smoke shop with sandwiches. There is also a burger joint called Sisters (something very close to that) which is probably ideal for Scouts.

I confess that our troop stays at the casino (the hotel) the night before we get on the VII. The boat leaves early and the thought of packing, unpacking and packing up again makes me lazy!
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