4 night trip, need advice

[Kevinl]

If you do the Minong, and have the time, I would consider spending the first night at McCargo or Chickenbone instead of .

If you do Feldtmann loop, consider spending a couple nights at Feldtmann or Siskiwit Bay. Definitely skip Island Mine and try to hit Huginnin.

[WalkingCrow]

I'm going to start replying to everyone, sorry if the questions are a bit basic, it is my first time to IR and I want to leave no stone unturned! I'm going to add a few posts since it is just easier for me to quote my replies each in a separate post.

[WalkingCrow]

The Sunset at Rainbow Cove is not to be missed!!

Hi Johnhens, thanks for the ideas. I'm curious about the sunset at RC. RC doesn't seem to be on trail from what I can see on the map. Are you suggesting to walk out to the rainbow cove campsite from Feldtmann to catch the sunset? If so is the walk back easy enought to do with a headlamp? How far is the walk?

[WalkingCrow]

West Chickenbone (night 3)

Hi Bob!

Is there a reason why you picked West Chickenbone over East Chickenbone? They seem to both be in my distance for the day and I was curious.

I advise (as I always do ) that you cut over to the Tobin Harbor Trail at Threemile on your way into Rock Harbor; very slightly out of the way but much better walking.

Thanks for this tip!

.walkingcrow

[WalkingCrow]

the first three miles is flat and boring, so it is nice to get that out of the way. Then the rest of the way has great views. Also, when you do the last section down to the campground, you will really appreciate not having to make the climb out of Feldman to the ridge.

Hi Nick,

I was looking at doing Feldtmann counterclockwise, but it sounds like clockwise is the way do this trail. Thanks for the post, knowing what parts of the trail are more difficult really helps.

.walkingcrow

[WalkingCrow]

Welcome to the forums, WalkingCrow!

Thanks! I am really excited to join in with the experience.

My next recommendation would be doing the Indian Portage trail and splitting that up however you'd like, as long as you get to do West Chickenbone and Chippewa Harbor. Two more incredible places on the island.

That trail wasn't even on my radar! thanks for bringing it up. Is there a loop to this trail, and is the Chippawa Harbor just such a great place to get to?

I'm thinking I am going to start and end at either Windigo or Rock Harbor since the water taxi seems like an extra complication.... is it?

[WalkingCrow]

On my first trip to Isle Royale, I did the Windigo to Rock Harbor trip in 4 nights. I stayed at South Desor, Hatchet Lake, West Chickenbone, and Daisy Farm. I got up very early on the last day and got to Rock Harbor around 9AM and left on the seaplane around 11. On my most recent trip to the island, we did the Feldtmann loop in 4 nights. We stayed at Feldtmann Lake, Siskiwit Bay, Island Mine, and Washington Creek. Both trips had nice scenery, but I liked the Windigo to Rock Harbor trip better than the Feldtmann trip. I saw less people on the Windigo to Rock harbor trip and liked the campsites and views better. As far as Island Mine campground goes, I liked it, we had it to ourselves and it was nice to have a campfire, the water supply or quality wasn't an issue for us.

Thanks for the reply Dave! This is giving me a little "boost" to do the trip from windigo to RH. I also like to hear that it was more secluded for you, as that is what I am looking for.

.walkingcrow

[WalkingCrow]

You are allowed to have a fire there, and many of the other campsites you are not. Is that worth it to you?

Good question. I guess for me I am more apt to enjoy a nice fire if I have something to look upon. If it is just a fire in trees, I might not bother, but if there is a view to be enjoyed, some water or a vista I'd say the fire pit would be a must enjoy. But if there is no view or water, I'd hope to have the time to build a nice fire and really get comfortable by it.

thanks,

.walkingcrow

[johnhens]

The Sunset at Rainbow Cove is not to be missed!!

Hi Johnhens, thanks for the ideas. I'm curious about the sunset at RC. RC doesn't seem to be on trail from what I can see on the map. Are you suggesting to walk out to the rainbow cove campsite from Feldtmann to catch the sunset? If so is the walk back easy enought to do with a headlamp? How far is the walk?

The trail is well defined and marked on the TI/NG Map. It is an easy hike, you would have no problems coming back in the dark with a light!!!

[WalkingCrow]

If I had 4-5 nights, I would definitely do the Minong, from McCargo Cove to Windigo. I would also consider a side trip to Huginnin Cove, if there is time. This trip would have everything you are looking for. Except for the last leg, the mileage isn't very high, and the campgrounds are stellar, especially Little Todd, which is my favorite. I'm simply saying what I would do.

Hi Kevin,

The Minong is becoming very attractive to me, but I am curious if you mean start at McCargo Cove? So take the ferry or taxi to there to start? Or are you saying to start at RH and get to McCargo Cove and then do the Minong trail?

[WalkingCrow]

The trail is well defined and marked on the TI/NG Map. It is an easy hike, you would have no problems coming back in the dark with a light!!!

That is good to hear, thanks!

Bigger question, how well marked are the trails of IR? I just came from hiking the high peaks of the Adirondacks and I found the color coding of the trail markers to be very helpful. I found it much easier hiking in terms of knowing I was on course than some places in the Lakeshore trail in pictured rocks.

[johnhens]

The trail is well defined and marked on the TI/NG Map. It is an easy hike, you would have no problems coming back in the dark with a light!!!

That is good to hear, thanks!

Bigger question, how well marked are the trails of IR? I just came from hiking the high peaks of the Adirondacks and I found the color coding of the trail markers to be very helpful. I found it much easier hiking in terms of knowing I was on course than some places in the Lakeshore trail in pictured rocks.

The trails on IR are easy to follow and well defined. The only place where they can be tricky is on the ridges over rock. In most places on the ridges, the trails are marked with cairns. Unlike the 'Daks or the AT or the NCT (in places), there is no blazing of trails. You should not have any problems!!!
At trail intersections, there is usually a post with trail directions.

[Keweenaw]

Hey WC,

I recommended West Chickenbone instead of East Chickenbone because EC kind of sucks. East is far away and uphill from the water, yet the mosquitoes have no trouble finding you there. West Chickenbone has several sites right on the lake and a few that are just across the trail away from the lake, but a short flat walk away.

Rainbow Cove does not have a campsite, but as John says, the trail is easy to find.

Since IR is a wilderness they keep signage to a minimum, but you will find 4x4 wooden posts at all intersections with mileages and there are no secondary trails except for the occasional moose path that may fool you at first.

Bob

[Kevinl]

I've only done the Minong trip beginning at McCargo, but others have used it to travel the entire length of the island. I'm not familiar with the east side, so I'm not much help there. I don't know anything about the water taxi, but I know the Voyageur drops people off there. I would assume that if you want more solitude, you should work the west side of the island (Minong, Feltmann, and Indian Portage) although you will still see some people on those and some campgrounds may even fill up. I've seen Feltmann and W. Chickenbone full more than once. Even if they fill, people can double up at spots and most people are friendly about doing that.

With your Feltmann loop suggestions, definitely get to Rainbow Cove. If no one else is there, it can make for great skinny dipping. Also a great place to watch storms. The clockwise or counterclockwise debate is one I've heard a few times. I prefer counterclockwise, to start by heading to Feltmann. Makes the last leg coming into Windigo feel like you're floating downhill, but it does make for a long climb from Siskiwit to Island Mine.

I haven't seen all the campgrounds but I have seen East Chickenbone and know I wouldn't want to stay there. Although since no one likes it, it may offer solitude.

Like Fonix said, Chippewa Harbor is awesome, but the shelters (three of them there) can fill up quickly with boaters). Now that I've said that, I've never seen them full either.

Have a great time.

[WalkingCrow]

Okay it looks like I will have 5 nights available to spend on the island. And if I plan to arrive mid day and leave late in the day on that 7th day, would this itinerary be to ambitious?

I figure I would be hitting the trail from Windigo at Noon, and returning in time for the latest flight out at 5pm. The mileages don't seem too bad except for the LDS to LTH (4th night), but that should be doable if the hike is moderate. I'd have the most "free time" at Lake Desor North, so I am hoping that would give me time gear up for the last leg out to Windigo.

Any thoughts on this? Too ambitious? Should I be choosing between the Feldtmann Ridge trail and Minong to end up at Rock Harbor?

Windigo [Start]
Feldtmann Lake [1st Night] (8.8m)
Siskiwit Bay [2nd Night] (10.2m)
Lake Desor South [3nd Night] (9.9m)
Little Todd Harbor [4nd Night] (15.5m)
Lake Desor North [5nd Night] (5.7m)
Windigo [Finish] (12.9m)

Total: 63miles/5nights

thanks,

.walkingcrow