Best moderate route for seclusion

[BlakKat]

I am planning on coming to the island for the first time this summer--late July--and was wondering what a good 4-5 night route might be. I want to avoid the Minong trail, don't want to hike 8 hours every day, and want to be as secluded as possible. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. BTW, I am a 50 year old female in mostly decent shape. Thanks!

[MikeT]

Welcome!
Would need to know more details before suggesting any routes like:
The main question being: Where you are entering the island?

The other ones will work themselves out, like:
- what kind of miles do you want to walk?
- anything in particular you want to see?
- etc.

[BlakKat]

I'm open to entering the island either at Rock Harbor or Windigo, probably by seaplane. I would like to be by water most nights, either Superior or one of the inland lakes. I probably don't want to do more than about 8 miles per day.

[jerry]

I've found the west end (Windigo) to have the least amount of folks visiting there. You have Huginnin Cove, Feldtmann is quiet (but visitors do show up) and Washington Creek actually has been quiet for me too.

[Ingo]

I'd seriously look at the Feldtmann loop--haven't done it myself, but hope to some day. I believe it's about 10 miles from Feldtmann Lake to Siskiwit Bay, but otherwise all other days are <=8 miles. From what I understand, it gives you a little bit of most everything the island has to offer, and fewer folks than the Greenstone trail and east end.

[JonG]

IMO, the Feldtman loop may be the trail that would give you a good shot at meeting some of the parameters you're seeking. You will have 8 +miles to deal with, but the terrain is not as rugged as some of the other parts of the island. Possible itinerary: Windigo to Feltdman lake with the mandatory side trip to Rainbow Cove after dinner. Feltdman to Siskiwit Bay. Siskiwit Bay to Island Mine[it's just for one night]. and then downhill all the way back to Washington Creek, where odds are good for you to get one of the many shelters and a shower. Your last night could be a short hike to one of the islands most beautiful campgrounds, Hugginen Cove where you can relax knowing you have a pretty short day of hiking on your last day.Do the loop to and from Hugginen, its great both ways. Good luck, and please post a Trip Report when you return!

[BlakKat]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Still open to more, but I'm starting to get a better idea.

[Gimp]

I second JonG's comments. I also recommend a stroll to Rainbow Cove to watch the sun set. Just don't make my mistake and forget to carry a light for the walk back. There were a lot of roots and rocks on that trail and I was wearing sandals rather than my boots so my toes took a nice beating.

[jerry]

BlakKat, If you decide to do Rainbow Cove, make sure you mark where you came out of the woods. Its not always easy to find your way back in to the trail, especially if you do the Cove near sunset.

[Cyklop]

My wife and I did the Feldtmann Lake loop in late August last year and it was GREAT. It was her first time backpacking so I wasn't sure how it would go... It went so well and she has so much fun Isle Royale is now going to be our annual "us" week. The Feldtmann Lake loop was beautiful, it gives you a wide variety of landscapes and terrain. We stayed at Feldtmann Lake the first night, then at Siskiwit Bay then back to Windigo. Depending on how many nights you're looking at, you could stay at Island Mine, but there's not much there and water may be in short supply. The hike out to Rainbow Cove is definitely worth it, we spent a few hours out there. The worst part of the hike was from Siskiwit Bay up (after leaving the lake shore) to Island Mine. Great hike, I'd do it again with out hesitation.

[BlakKat]

Cyklop, wow, that is great info. I'm getting a little nervous about the 10+ mile hike from Feldtmann Lake to Siskiwit Bay, as I'm not at all sure what my backpacking pace is. No matter which way I look at it though, I'll be faced with at least one 10-miler, yikes. I think I'll just have to pack as light as possible.

[Vandy]

Try thinking of it as 2 5-mile hikes. You can easily spend a couple of hours resting and taking in the views at the tower midway to Siskiwit from Feldtman.
I also did the loop last year, although I went East toward Rock Harbor coming out of Island Mine.

[Cyklop]

Cyklop, wow, that is great info. I'm getting a little nervous about the 10+ mile hike from Feldtmann Lake to Siskiwit Bay, as I'm not at all sure what my backpacking pace is. No matter which way I look at it though, I'll be faced with at least one 10-miler, yikes. I think I'll just have to pack as light as possible.

Feldtmann to Siskiwit is a hike, but it's a beautiful one. Like others have suggested, take a good pit stop at the tower - that's what we did and had lunch. On the boat over we were told you could get cell reception up top - which my wife was excited to hear... We have to little ones and she wanted to surprise them with a call. Well with Verizon it didn't work - ATT may have, we couldn't even get enough signal to send a txt. But the tower offers great views of the island and allowed us to recharge.

I don't recall how long it took us, but we didn't kill ourselves. I wanted to make sure my wife had a good time so I could get here hooked - and it appears to have worked. We're started planning our August trip last night. I really wanted to do a spring hike this you too, but life is just to busy.

If you're nervous about the ups and downs, get a pair of hiking poles. My wife thought I was crazy so we only brought my pair, lets just say I ended up with only one pole the whole trip.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.