A comprehensive question

[dcclark]

Hm, that's an interesting question!

In my mind, "through-hike" only makes sense for linear trails -- things like the AT, NCT, PCT, etc. Trails where you can walk the whole thing in one long line. So, at least in my book, the term "through hike" doesn't really apply to a place like Isle Royale, with many interconnected loops and spurs.

If I had to choose something, the closest thing to a "through hike" on the island would be an end-to-end, Greenstone and/or Minong -- something that crosses the entire park, gives a thorough sampling of what it has to offer, but doesn't necessarily cover every bit and piece. Or perhaps a big perimeter loop: Rock Harbor trail to the Greenstone, Feldtmann Loop, then back around on the Minong and complete the Greenstone back to Rock harbor.

I definitely get the urge to see all of the island (I feel that too, and I've nearly achieved a similar goal for the Porcupine Mountains -- another place where "through hike" would be mostly meaningless). Due to all of the loops and spurs, I feel much more willing to see the island in bits and pieces, and say that I've "done the whole island" even though it happened over many years.

[torpified]

my linguistic intuitions resemble dcclark's: thru hikes are continuous routes, with canonical acronyms; when they traverse wilderness areas, they're often criss-crossed by "lesser" trails; thru-hikes are the interstates and the 'lesser" trails are the blue highways. On IR, it's all blue highway!

[Kelly]

You're both right.

(And yet there is what the Ozark Trail intends to be (at least in Missouri) and and is not yet (also known as "I'm over-complicating this".) I think about through-hiking it as well.)

I too have already seen most of the island accessible by trail, and still I return.

[Bobcat1]

Isle Royale’s configuration does not really lend itself to my definition of a through-hike. My definition is something along the lines of: start someplace at a well-defined start, eventually end someplace else at a well-defined end, and the hike is long enough so that the hiking itself becomes a lifestyle. You could do the thought experiment of what would give YOU the sense of completion and accomplishment you are looking for? One hike worthy of consideration would be from Lookout Louise to aWindigo and back to Rock Harbor, using the Minong one way and the RH-part of GRT-Feldman Loop on the other way. I think that’s around 75 miles , with no backtracking, and would take a moderate hiker something like 9-12 days. Faster hikers have undoubtedly done it faster, and someone probably has a record time, but that’s not what I choose to hike for.

[Kelly]

Yeah. I've really latched onto the idea of hiking all the trails in a single visit. I prefer a leisurely place, so there's no danger of me racing through the experience. Being there for over a month sounds like a great plan!

And I'd like to be able to describe it in a couple of words, like through hike (which I accept is not a good term for this).

But so far nothing.

[backwoods doc]

How about a "thorough hike"?

[Kelly]

How about a "thorough hike"?

And there it was, all the time, just waiting for the right person to notice!

Thanks!

[torpified]

"thorough hike" is WAAAAAY better than what I was about to suggest: A Minong Omnium --- or a Minongium for short (not that shortening anything is a desideratum!).

[Bobcat1]

A hike majeur? I think “fait accompli” would also apply, once you’ve done it.

[Kelly]

A hike majeur? I think “fait accompli” would also apply, once you’ve done it.

I like the nod to the French origins of the current name of the park.

[Kelly]

"thorough hike" is WAAAAAY better than what I was about to suggest: A Minong Omnium --- or a Minongium for short (not that shortening anything is a desideratum!).

I'm now calling it a Minong thorough hike.

After a (uh) thorough review of the itinerary over the weekend, there are two spreadsheets:

• Itinerary 1: A Minong thorough hike

• Itinerary 2: A Minong thorough hike

The Passage Island part of the trip is always going to be the most difficult, because success depends on weather conditions and the kindness of friends. Putting it at the front end of the trip has its advantages.

Neither version contains any zero days at this point, and neither are likely be completed in fewer than 40 days.

The AllTrails version of each itinerary can be reviewed at the following:

• Itinerary 1: A Minong thorough hike

• Itinerary 2: A Minong thorough hike

[Kelly]

I've had some time lately to contemplate the plans for my Minong thorough hike. A few things have come together:

• I talked to my boss about how to take off all the time, and it's doable, as long as I'm back by a certain event.
• An idea to paddle the first part of the itinerary next summer, just to get past the scary open crossing to Passage Island (which has become less scary over time but still looms a bit. Doing a pre-paddle will dismiss most of the scaries.).
• And I've finally sorted out how to handle resupply for the whole trip.

So in a few weeks a friend and I will do a thorough route review to make sure I'm not missing some little piece that will haunt me forever if inadvertently missed.

See A Minong thorough hike for links to the itinerary.

[Ingo]

I'm exhausted just reading through the spreadsheet!

A couple thoughts related to paddling:
- FYI at Pickerel Cove the official portage is down the shoreline from the little beach on the Herring Bay side. It, and the sign, are about impossible to find and looks like a difficult takeout. I've always landed at the beach and gone through the campsite--suggest the same and hike the short portage.
- Belle Isle trail between campground and dock? It's maybe 1/8 mile. If you do it, land on the beach at the campground, the dock is a pain.
- Have a friend tow your kayak from Hidden Lake to Tobin portage?
- It is possible to get weather bound in Rock Harbor (the harbor). More so Daisy to Chippewa. Although guessing you're aware, just have the say .
- When paddling RH, try to stay at Caribou Is instead of DF. One of my favorites and saves a bit of paddling. Less likely to be filled if you could do it on a weekday.
- Missing Rock Harbor Lighthouse trail.
- Where do you plan to end? McCargoe? (makes sense)

[Kelly]

Yeah—even though I wrote both, the wordy version is easier to read. The spreadsheet serves a separate function.

• Noted on Pickerel Cove.
• Yes, there is a trail on Belle Isle as you describe, but it's not on the map, so I am not obliged to hike it.
• The Rock Harbor Lighthouse trail is covered on line 50 (right?).
• I plan to end at Malone.
• Other points noted

Thanks for reviewing!

[Ingo]

Yeah—even though I wrote both, the wordy version is easier to read. The spreadsheet serves a separate function.

You're right, I should have read the wordy version . (got confused at the end of the spreadsheet and thought it may not be finished).
I noticed you note a 1 night limit at Washington Creek, but the Greenstone says 3 (in case you don't get a camper cabin).
Malone Bay has nature's jacuzzi! Ask me when the time gets closer...
It does occur to me that you could also do the Malone to Greenstone leg as a day trip out of Malone at the end of the trip, if you hadn't considered that. About 16 miles(?) with a daypack instead of full pack and possibly extra water for Hatchet. Just a thought.