Soliciting Valued Opinions on a late season trip

[bobonabike]

Do any of you experienced visitors have any opinion on the Advantages/Disadvantages of a late season trip?
Thinking of starting at McCargoe Cove 09/17/25, finishing at Windigo 09/25/25.
(This would be my third trip to ISRO, and I have already experienced the trails I plan to use).
Thanks.

[RedLeg]

May and September are the best times to go IMO

[Ingo]

Agree that Sept is great, love the weather and generally no bugs. Looks like you're planning to take the Voyageur II, so just be aware that later in the season they sometimes go out around the south side instead of the north, dependent on the weather since the north tends to be rougher. So you need a plan B in your pocket, with a Chippewa Harbor start being the obvious candidate. And on the same note, fall winds on the lake are getting started up and stores are closed, so make sure you have an extra day or two of food. Which is not to say you don't have beautiful sunny days as well, but prudent to be prepared.

[IncaRoads]

I am primarily an after Labor Day hiker. Like Ingo said, the weather can be good and the bugs will be gone. The only slight disadvantage I experience is a lack of daylight the later I trek in September. Sometimes my slow pace and long hiking distances brings me into the destination campsite without much time to eat and set up things before darkness sets in.

[JerryB]

I am hiking in August this year but only because my hiking partners needed to go at that time. I strongly prefer May or September. Sure, it gets cold but that is fine if you are prepared. These times used to mean smaller crowds too, but i am not sure that still holds.