McCargoe to Daisy Farm: decisions, decisions

[torpified]

Things are getting serious: I'm on the road for the next few weeks, so I'm right now packing Tang and Wysi Wipes https://www.amazon.com/Wysi-Wipe-Multi- ... B001NWVBPC into ziploc bags for my early May trip . . .

. . .Which may include a leg from McCargoe Cove to Daisy Farm via the Greenstone Ridge. And that presents two choices:

--west of Chickenbone or east of Chickenbone?

--the western spur from the GRT to Daisy Farm or the eastern spur?

The second question seems like a no-brainer: the eastern spur means more time on the ridge, and a chance to visit the fire tower. But maybe there is reliable moose ballet on the western spur?

As for the first question, regarding which side of Chickenbone Lake is more delightful, I have no intuitions.

Advice? Thoughts? Warnings? [I know the mileages differ -- they just don't differ by enough to matter to my decision.]

THANKS!

[MikeT]

West by far!!!!

East is not a nice campground. The worst one on the island in my opinion. Not great scenery or vistas and terrible water access. The only plus is moose can be found at the lake, but it is a long walk down.

I would stay at west and walk down to Daisy. Stop at east and see what you did not miss.

[Tightlines01]

I think he meant should I hike past west chicken bone lake Ritchie and Moskey to Daisy or east chickenbone campground along the ridge to the fire tower and down to Daisy...not which one to stay at (ignore if I'm wrong)....

If that's what you meant, My vote would be to go past east chickenbone lake and along the ridge. It's about 2 miles shorter and some really great views along the ridge. Also high possibility of moose sighting on the way down from tower into Daisy.

The other way would have nice views of chickenbone lake and Ritchie which are nice but I'd take the views from the ridge. Also the trail from Daisy to Moskey is underrated. Lots of small ups and downs and bad footing.


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[MikeT]

I wasn't sure when I read it if I read it right. If that is what was asked, I agree with Tightlines for sure! However, either way is not bad and has its share of views.

[IncaRoads]

The OP is a self proclaimed hiking fool. With that in mind, I would recommend that she take the longest route possible from McCargo to Daisy Farm. The west and south side of Chickenbone is scenic and it is longer. Again, choose the eastern spur to Daisy Farm because you know you want to see the tower again (secretly anticipating running into boy scouts) and it is longer. Don't fret over the trails not taken. You know you will be back again to hike them someday!

[torpified]

Thanks, all! It sounds like I can't go wrong--which is what I imagined, but now I can imagine it in more detail! (And, yes, IncaRoads, it's that even though I'm going during the week in May, I'm hoping to meet Boy Scout troops working on their Playing Hooky badges . . . .)