Route Sanity Check - McCargoe to Windigo?

[alecto73]

I've been lurking a bit and really enjoying the forums here. I will be making my first trip to IR at the end of August/start of September so I figured it was time to get an account and start picking brains. I was originally looking at Rock Harbor to Windigo, but I'm trying to do Monday through Saturday, ferry back Sunday so that seemed a little ambitious. I was hoping for insights on a route I am contemplating (but not married-to) if I get dropped in McCargoe Cove instead. For reference I'm in moderate shape, and while I'm trying to break the habit, I tend to put my head down and go like I'm back at Benning doing a road march so I probably lean more to the 3-4 mph edge of the spectrum on moderate to even stuff. Anyway - here's what I'm kicking-around right now (using the mileage chart):

Monday - VII from Grand Portage arrives ~1pm, McCargoe Cove to Todd Harbor - 6.6m
Tuesday - Todd Harbor to Desor South - 11.6m (this is one of the legs where I'm looking for a sanity check)
Wednesday - Desor South to Siskiwit Bay - 9.9m
Thursday - Siskiwit Bay to Feldtmann Lake - 10.2 (sanity check #2)
Friday - Feldtmann Lake to Windigo - 8.8
Saturday - Leave early, hang-out and socialize, or Huginnin Loop?
Sunday - Ferry back to Grand Portage

One other thing I'm curious about is the "critter factor". It doesn't seem like most people hang a bag, but I LOVE my Hubba and I don't want mice chewing a hole in it , plus it sounds like the Foxes are REALLY somethin'. So I'm interested in opinions on this element of the island as well. Thanks in advance.

[Kevinl]

There's a strip of duct tape on my Hubba covering a hole mice made, but they weren't Isle Royale mice (they were SHT mice). But I've had to chase IR squirrels away, so I recommend hanging your food.

Your route looks like a good one. What I like about it is that it attempts to cover the best parts of the west side of the island, the Feltmann Loop and the Minong. What I don't like about it is that by cutting south at Hatchet Lake, you'll miss my favorite parts of the Minong, which are everything west of the Hatchet Lake turn (I also prefer the North Desor campsite to the South Desor one, but if you do go to South Desor, consider using the multi-group campsites if they're open--they're much closer to the water). But you will get a taste of those fun Minong ridgetops between Todd Harbor and Hatchet Lake.

With that said, you'll be on Isle Royale, so no matter where you go, you should have a great time. I like your idea of sticking with the west side of the island, as it's the area I prefer. And your sanity question days don't seem that bad to me; Siskiwit Bay to Feldtmann Lake is a great walk with lovely views and good ridgetop breezes. Both of those are awesome campsites.

One thing I've always done when getting dropped off at McCargoe is to just plant myself there for the evening. It's such a nice spot.

Welcome to the forums and have a great trip.

[alecto73]

Thanks for the input. To be honest the Minong sounds like my kind of trail, but after planning routes til' crosseyed I had to remind myself - I can make more than one trip. I am pretty sure if/when I return it'll be a "Minong-specific" route. I didn't want to do what sounded like the most difficult trail the first trip, I just wanted to dabble here and there, get a feel for the island, and the West side sounded a bit less-traveled so I like that notion. Seems like plenty of places to filter water on the route, yes?

[fonixmunkee]

Welcome to the forums, alecto73!

Your route is do-able, but if you can break it into multiple trips, do it. The whole point (for me) to hike Isle Royale is to take it all in and relax. You'd be hustling most of the time with this route, and would be missing a lot of beautiful sites (Todd Harbor sunsets are a must, watching otters and loons in McCargoe Cove at dusk, fishing Feldtmann). I'd strongly recommend doing two trips...Isle Royale will always be there. Do yourself a favor and break this up into two wonderful trips

[philranger]

I agree with Fonix. Take your time and enjoy the island. Don't force yourself into marches. Enjoy the swims, the panoramic beauty of the island and the folks you meet along the trail. Just like you, they are not car campers so we actually have a lot in common. I've met some of the best people while sitting on a dock.