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Itinerary Input...

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2019 7:44 am
by rich
I'd appreciate the forum's thoughts on the following two itineraries.

Our backpacking group consists of 3 "middle aged" men. We visited the island last year, hiking the Feldtmann Loop. This year we're looking to visit the east side of the island. We'd like to do a little fishing. We enjoy time at camp as much as hiking (I.e., we're not hikers who need to hike all day).

Timeframe: Saturday August 10 – Friday August 16. We have some flexibility within that week as we all have the entire week off. Travel time for us from Chicago is 1 day each way. Was thinking to take the Queen from Copper Harbor.

Itinerary 1
RH -> DF
DF -> CH
CH -> WC – Two nights at WC to fish, day hike to MC.
WC -> RH – A big day (15 miles), but allows us relaxation time back in "civilization".

Itinerary 2
RH -> LC
LC -> WC
WC -> CH
CH -> MB
MB -> TM
TM -> RH/Boat Home

Re: Itinerary Input...

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2019 1:20 pm
by Tom
I like Itinerary 2 better than 1. No way I'd want to put in that last day, coming in to RH exhausted, only to find all the shelters full and then I spend the time setting up camp... even if there is running water.:-)

I might even recommend trading McCargoe for Chippewa. Both equally beautiful, but Chippewa makes a better dead-end/pick up location IMHO, and if you head from LC->MC via the East Chickenbone trail, it's a wash compared to WC. It's a pretty easy walk from McCargoe to the western lobe of Chickenbone, where you could cast a line for a while and still hike back to McCargoe. (Not sure if you're planning to fish Superior or just the inland lakes, but I'll say you'll have much better luck shore fishing the inners.) Then hike to WC (short, sweet, plenty of time to fish and relax) and then have a WC->MB day, where you could pause at Ritchie and cast with time to spare.

Re: Itinerary Input...

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2019 4:07 pm
by rich
Thanks Tom. I'm definitely leaning towards itinerary 2 as well. Though I'll say that the reward of beer and burgers would definitely get me through a 15 mile day!

I know McCargoe is a favorite of many here, but Chippewa is on my list of must-stay locations. Plus I know I'll hit McCargoe when I eventually hike the Minong. I thought about taking a water taxi out to CH to start this trip, but I really want to hike the length of the Rock Harbor Trail.

Re: Itinerary Input...

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 8:54 am
by jerry
Hopefully when you get to C.H., the family that was out fishing the days I was there, will be there. Lots of fried lake trout for them and yours truly. Lucky me! Enjoy your trip!

Re: Itinerary Input...

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 9:32 am
by Ingo
rich wrote: Tue Jun 04, 2019 4:07 pm I know McCargoe is a favorite of many here, but Chippewa is on my list of must-stay locations. Plus I know I'll hit McCargoe when I eventually hike the Minong. I thought about taking a water taxi out to CH to start this trip, but I really want to hike the length of the Rock Harbor Trail.
Since you're looking for a more relaxed trip, you could take the water taxi to CH to start and take the RH trail back. To hit the ridge, which you definitely should also include, day hike out of DF and/or TM, which you will have plenty of time to do on that schedule.

Re: Itinerary Input...

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:25 am
by rich
Ingo - Your post made me rethink using the water taxi. I made up a new itinerary starting with a water taxi to CH. It is a much easier hiking schedule than the previous itineraries, and it still allows for decent sections of the Rock Harbor Trail and Greenstone.

Itinerary 3
RH -> CH (Water Taxi)
CH -> MB (Low mileage allowing time for fishing Lake Ritchie)
MB -> WC (Low mileage allowing time for fishing Lake Ritchie)
WC -> DF (Maybe Lane Cove if we're feeling ambitious)
DF -> RH

Re: Itinerary Input...

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:33 am
by dcclark
Depending on the timing, you could take the Voyageur to Chippewa Harbor. It's much cheaper than a water taxi in most cases. But, it may mean staying an extra night in Rock Harbor.

Re: Itinerary Input...

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:55 am
by rich
Thanks everyone for your input. We've decided on "Itinerary 3" above. Everyone like the low mileage and nice sampling of trails & inland lakes. We've even made contingency plans for bad water at Chickenbone Lake and delayed/cancelled water taxi. Now we just have to be patient for August.

Re: Itinerary Input...

Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 10:26 am
by bobcat
I will be on the island that same week, with my red kayak doing the Five Fingers area then down through the inland lakes. I’ll try not to get in the way of your fishing...😀

Re: Itinerary Input...

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 7:29 am
by torpified
that looks like an excellent scheme-- I think you've nailed LNT principle #1: Prepare and plan ahead! When this trip's over (and you're planning your next one), please let us know how the walking/fishing/red kayak spotting went.

Re: Itinerary Input...

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 9:54 pm
by bobcat
And, you could go from CH to Lake Ritchie and then Ritchie to McCargoe, if the water’s Ok at Lake Ritchie. I like Lake Ritchie and moose are sighted there regularly. However I also really like Moskey Basin too. But the mileage works out a little less if you need to simplify, depending on how things are going for you.