Large Clearing At McCargoe Cove

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Large Clearing At McCargoe Cove

Post by 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.
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Re: Large Clearing At McCargoe Cove

Post by Kelly »

Huh. I'll be at McCargoe in a couple of weeks and will take a look.
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Re: Large Clearing At McCargoe Cove

Post by 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.
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Re: Large Clearing At McCargoe Cove

Post by 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.
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Re: Large Clearing At McCargoe Cove

Post by Ingo »

JerryB wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2024 11:03 am 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.
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Re: Large Clearing At McCargoe Cove

Post by 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.
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Re: Large Clearing At McCargoe Cove

Post by 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
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Re: Large Clearing At McCargoe Cove

Post by 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
Screenshot 2024-09-19 095848.jpg
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