Back-country suggestions along the Minong?

[fonixmunkee]

We're looking for a little input on my upcoming trip we are planning. It'll be two well-traveled IR vets and myself, and we plan on doing the Minong Ridge trail from McCargoe back to Windigo. Two of the three of us have done this hike before in the same direction, so we know what to expect.

But that's why I'm asking this question: does anyone have any suggestions for NOT having to do North Desor?

Background: The last time I did the Minong and got to North Desor, I wanted to die. After the death slog from Little Todd to the North Desor trailhead, I was completely deflated to have to do that downhill hike for a mile or so to the campsite. When we got there, the mosquitos were so bad, I almost got dragged away by them. And then to have to wake up the next more and hike ever-so-slightly uphill to get to the TRAIL to hike the 13 MILES back to Windigo...well, not...a...fan.

So we were thinking of maybe doing some sort of backcountry around North Desor, or somewhere along the line. Does anyone know if that's possible or permitted, and/or have any suggestions for doing such a thing? Here's our tentative trip:

Friday 5/24: Duluth to Grand Portage
Saturday 5/25: GP to McCargoe to Todd Harbor
Sunday 5/26: Todd to Little Todd
Monday 5/27: Little Todd to back country Desor
Tuesday 5/28: back country to back country further along the Minong? or push through to Windigo or Huginnin?
Wednesday 5/29: back to wherever we are to Windigo
Thursday 5/30: Windigo to GP

[IncaRoads]

I've done the Minong once and ran into similar issues during a September trip. Luckily, no mosquitoes in September. After the hard slog from Little Todd to N. Lake Desor, I was wiped out but had to keep going without a rest day. The next day I did 14.8 miles to Huginnin Cove in 87 degree weather no less. It was painful and it took 9 hours.

The next time I do the Minong in 5 nights, this is what I have planned to do. However, it does include staying at N. Lake Desor.
Day 1. McCargoe to Todd Harbor
Day 2. Todd Harbor to Little Todd
Day 3. Little Todd to N. Lake Desor
Day 4. N. Lake Desor to Off-Trail Backcountry Camp*
Day 5. Backcountry Camp to Huginnin Cove
Day 6. Last day, quick 3 miles or so to Windigo to catch the VII

* Off-trail backcountry camp needs to be near water so I would do about 5-6 miles after leaving N. Lake Desor and camp near the headwaters of Washington Creek where it crosses the Minong Ridge Trail in two places. Should be easy to get 1/4 mile off trail and still be close enough to find access to water.

If you are worried about the bugs at N. Lake Desor in the spring, they will also probably be bad at the headwaters of Washington Creek, or any other off-trail backcountry camp.

Not many other choices to stop along the way due to lack of water sources.


Edited to add: Midwest Ed (in the following post) is describing the the same proposed off-trail backcountry camping area.

[Midwest Ed]

That is the only section of trail I've never seen so everything I say is speculation, but it would seem there should be some place about 2 to 2.5 miles past the southwest tip of Lake Desor. Doesn't the trail cross an upper fork of Washington Creek right in that area. (approx 47.964, -89.060). This would give you a water supply, especially in May with as much snow as they've had. The back country zones in that area are 3 and 20 which are open. This area is also closer to half way between Little Todd CG and Washington Creek CG, as least as the crow flies. It looks like it might be kind of close to some marshy areas so mosquitoes could be bad.

[jrwiesz]

IRNP rangers may know of a preferred/suggested stealth camp; asking them may be beneficial.

If you refer to the 4th edition of the JD guidebook, p. 96, decent half-page map.
Start early, hike L. Todd to N. Desor junction, continue on, up and over the second hump (guidebook map designate 1047 ft peak) after the junction.

Coming down off that hump, there appears to be plenty of area to the N, at about the 900-950 ft level, to stealth camp off the trail at the required distance.
This is in backcountry zone 3(open). About half way between L.Todd and Windigo or Huginnin(your preference).
I'm suggesting this as a means to perhaps, escape the bugs, by staying up out of the swampy areas and higher up on the ridge.

Set up camp, day hike back to N.Desor, camel-up, soak the feet, swim, whatever.
Get water from Desor, if you don't want to come back after camp set, as you pass.
I'm just guessing, but, water may not be too difficult to find in May this year.
With as cold as it has been, bugs may not be an issue.

YMMV.

[Tom]

I think Midwest Ed and IncaRoads are describing the same place I'm thinking of, but I'll call it "beaver dam crossing #1" as that's how I remember it. According to the timestamps on my photos, it's about two hours down the trail from Desor North, but since you're not needing to walk down to camp, you'll already be on your way. That would but it about 4-5 miles beyond camp, which would give you a nice head start for the final day. Water would be accessible, and I seem to recall there would be enough places on could probably pitch a tent in that area.
I'll be interested in how it goes! After last hiking in the Minong in 2008, we swore (perhaps like you) that we were never going to do THAT again. Of course, as time passes and heals wounds, it's not seeming like such a bad idea again. Hopefully you'll return and talk me out of it.

[Midwest Ed]

This is the general area I was referring to:

[fonixmunkee]

Thanks for your responses. I'll keep this thread here for others' benefit, but we've decided to take a different trek. We're going to check out the east side of the island that none of us really have any experience on.