Comments and questions for trip planned Sept 2025

[TomM1940]

Oh great IR Forum Nation, you are fair and just, I come to you seeking wisdom and truth. Finally getting back to the island. Going out of Houghton on the Ranger. Tuesday-Saturday. Took the Queen last time and now seeing some advantages of the Queens earlier arrival and later departure. I'm considering working our way to Moskey then an early evening side trip to Lake Richie for fishing. Packing much lighter this time and confident we can do 6 miles each day with no issues instead of the 3-4 we did last time. Yeah, my pack weighed 60 pounds at the end of 5 days. My mind was still locked into planning as if I was paddling. Current itinerary thoughts; Tuesday 3 Mile, Wednesday Moskey, Thursday Daisy Farm, Friday 3 Mile via Greenstone or maybe RH. So wah da ya tink? What might be the chances of getting a shelter or even a tent site at 3 Mile after a Ranger arrival early September? Last visit we were at Daisy Farm and folks were arriving at 10pm because 3 Mile was full after a Ranger drop off. That was late June. Better chance at RH the first day or would folks be stacking up for the Ranger departure the next day? As of today, there are 56 open spots on our out bound Ranger trip. Ever camp at Lake Richie? I figure Moskey has to be nicer. We're just planning a side trip trip to fish but I'd consider camping at Richie if it's nice. Is 3 mile to RH the Saturday of departure too much of push, especially if weather turns rainy? I don't mind getting up early but looking to hear from someone that's done this. Might I be better off doing Daisy Farm to RH on Friday and getting a cold barley pop at the lodge? Of course this plan can blow up once the island punches us in the face but it's what I'm considering for now Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[torpified]

It seems like you’ve got a sound plan A, and a good grip on contingency plans and the circumstances that would trigger them! Just a few thoughts:

*3M to RH on the Tobin Harbor trail would be more manageable in the rain than the rock harbor trail. I suspect that even without the slick surface, travel times are similar. If you woke up your final morning to a torrential downpour, you’d need to watch your step crossing over to the Tobin Harbor trail, but then it would be clear (if muddy) sailing. I think the sun rises around 7 am in early September, so an early start could mean headlamp hiking.
*I’ve never camped at Lake Richie but I’ve lunched there several times, and I’m for it. I always seem to see resident animals and cheerful multi-generational fishing parties there. It’s an inland lake, so algae blooms can be a problem. But barring algae blooms, I reckon it’s a strong second best to Moskey.

[Kelly]

The only time I camped at Lake Richie was last September. I got the last camp site and ultimately shared it with a couple of other hikers. The evening was pleasant, and the water was drinkable. Usually I'm passing through in the middle of the day so I don't see campers there.

With a 9 am departure (and an even earlier loading time), my personal preference is to be in Rock Harbor the night before. If it's rainy, you may have to pack up a wet tent, and you might as well be doing that in Rock Harbor. And it depends on your group—if your group is good with breaking camp quickly, you may find that you are suitable enough for Three Mile over Rock Harbor.

[JerryB]

I camped at Richie last year for the first time. I rather liked it and thought it was quite scenic. It is not a very big site and, as i recall, the sites are across the trail from the lake as opposed to right on it. I prefer a Moskey shelter to a Richie site but Richie to a Moskey tent site, if that makes any sense.