Large Clearing At McCargoe Cove

[kkrause]

I noticed a large freshly cut clearing on the trail out of McCargoe Cove campsite towards Chickenbone Lake. We were in a pretty big hurry to beat the afternoon heat so I did not take a picture. I was wondering if anyone else saw it and had any Idea why they cut down such a large area to the dirt. It was located on a very flat surface just off trail, and some of the soil was disturbed like someone had been digging leveling the ground. My best guess was additional tent sites.

[Kelly]

Huh. I'll be at McCargoe in a couple of weeks and will take a look.

[JerryB]

Very interesting. NPS seems to move at such a glacial pace so that i would be surprised about new tent sites without any news having leaked out. I wonder if it could be a clearing for a helicopter drop zone for lumber for boardwalks? I have seen those elsewhere on the island, albeit not with a new clearing.

[treeplanter]

Just looked at their management plan, and the area surrounding the McCargoe campground is designated "non-wilderness", so clearings such as this are allowed. I'll be curious as to what others think, when they get there.

[Ingo]

I wonder if it could be a clearing for a helicopter drop zone for lumber for boardwalks?

That would be my guess. I've heard they've been talking about it.

[Bobcat1]

Also McCargoe Cove is a fairly key emergency evacuation node too, so a helicopter drop zone/basic landing pad might make sense. There are a couple helipads in various locations in the archipelago already, and I’ve seen a couple sites in Superior National Forest on the mainland too.

[RedLeg]

yeah they have to at least have a few spots where they can drop a basket and an operator to the ground to pluck out the injured

[kkrause]

Hi, looks like its not a campground, and the expansion was going to be developed further into the cove

heres a screenshot from the wilderness management plan option a