5 day trip, looking for recommendations

[Salz3]

We are coming in to Isle Royale on a Friday float plane, arrive 11am Windigo and leaving 11am Tuesday out of Rock Harbor. Essentially 4 full days. Looking for any trail and campsite recommendations for 3 to get across the island in time and enjoy it as well.

[IncaRoads]

Welcome to the IR Forums. What is your current planned itinerary of trails and campsites? Once known, we can comment further.

[Salz3]

Windigo to island mine, island mine to hatchet lake, hatchet lake to moskey basin, moskey basin to rock harbor

[IncaRoads]

With such a short visit, there is not much room to vary your itinerary away from a direct end-to-end hike. If your legs feel strong on the first day, you could make it to Lake Desor South. It is a great campground with a nice swimming beach. Moskey Basin campground is not to be missed, but it can fill up earlier in the day due to its popularity. On your last full hiking day, when you reach 3 Mile, you can either take the Rock Harbor Trail (harder, more ups and downs, but very scenic) or the Tobin Harbor Trail (easy, flat, level). If you have time before your seaplane departure, the Stoll Trail is very scenic. Have a great trip.

[torpified]

If you do make it S Desor the first night, consider W Chickenbone for the second, then 3 mile (via the Greenstone Ridge) for the third. Two advantages:

-the stretch of the GRT between the Daisy Farm and Mt Franklin junctions is outstanding—-you’re really up on an open ridge (that said, the shore walk is fun too, and Moskey is a great place to stay)

-you might arrive in Rock Harbor with enough time to explore the Scoville Point trail, another highlight of the system. (You might also be able to fit this in before your 11 am departure on Tuesday.)

Whatever you do, you’ll have a fantastic time! Please tell us about it!

[Salz3]

Thank you. Second trip for me, first for my sons. Should be exceptional.