Campsite information (McCargoe to Chippewa)

[jmhoying]

Hello,
In a few weeks (August 1st), we'll be making our first trip to Isle Royale. We are going to be dropped off at McCargoe Cove and will be picked up at Chippewa Harbor 3 days later. Does anyone have suggestion on the best campsites along that route? I know this route doesn't cover many miles, but we're hoping to spend time by some lakes or at the Chippewa Harbor area. Are there many chances of seeing wildlife along this route? How busy will the campsites in this corridor? Any "must see" side trips in the area?
Thanks for any help,
Jack

[Keweenaw]

Hi Jack,

Traveling via the Voyager? August 1 is a Sunday, are you taking the Monday boat?

I would suggest:
Monday - Get off boat around 1 pm and hike to West Chickenbone
Tuesday - hike to Lake Richie (or a few miles out of your way to Moskey Basin)
Wednesday - hike to Chippewa Harbor
Thursday - get picked up around 9am

Side trips:

Monday afternoon, or Tuesday morning before heading to LR, take a day hike West on the Greenstone up to the top of the escarpment for a great view (weather permitting)

Chippewa Harbor area has Lake Mason or if you take the trail through the group campsite you will pass through an open meadow with a slope to your left; you should spot a trail going up the slope (marked with rock cairns in the open rock areas). This leads to a nice rocky overlook.

Camp at Lake Richie and day hike down to Moskey Basin

The trail from Chickenbone to Lake Richie passes 2 inland lakes where you could explore a bit.

Campground busyness is a matter of chance. That will be a busy time at the Park but campgrounds vary. Generally the earlier you get to a campground the better the chance at a site and people are pretty good about sharing if the campground is full.

I would say you have a good chance at some wildlife sightings on that route. I can pretty well guarantee Canada (Gray) Jays and red squirrels.

Bob

[jmhoying]

Thanks for all the information. Yes, we are taking the Voyager II and the drop off is on the 31st. Pickup is on the 3rd.
High spots with overlooks is something we enjoy, so we'll definitely check out the ones you mentioned.

Thanks much,
Jack
Fort Loramie, Ohio

Hi Jack,

Traveling via the Voyager? August 1 is a Sunday, are you taking the Monday boat?

I would suggest:
Monday - Get off boat around 1 pm and hike to West Chickenbone
Tuesday - hike to Lake Richie (or a few miles out of your way to Moskey Basin)
Wednesday - hike to Chippewa Harbor
Thursday - get picked up around 9am

Side trips:

Monday afternoon, or Tuesday morning before heading to LR, take a day hike West on the Greenstone up to the top of the escarpment for a great view (weather permitting)

Chippewa Harbor area has Lake Mason or if you take the trail through the group campsite you will pass through an open meadow with a slope to your left; you should spot a trail going up the slope (marked with rock cairns in the open rock areas). This leads to a nice rocky overlook.

Camp at Lake Richie and day hike down to Moskey Basin

The trail from Chickenbone to Lake Richie passes 2 inland lakes where you could explore a bit.

Campground busyness is a matter of chance. That will be a busy time at the Park but campgrounds vary. Generally the earlier you get to a campground the better the chance at a site and people are pretty good about sharing if the campground is full.

I would say you have a good chance at some wildlife sightings on that route. I can pretty well guarantee Canada (Gray) Jays and red squirrels.

Bob

[jerry]

Hi neighbors,

Keweenaw has good suggestions about where to stay. If you like fishing the campgrounds he indicated should be good for that also.

[Tom]

You really can't go wrong with any of the campsites in that area, with exception of East Chickenbone. Personally, my favorite three-day hike is:
Day 1: Get off at McCargoe. Snag a shelter. Spend the afternoon hiking around the Minong Mines, or perhaps a leg stretcher over to East Chickenbone or something.
Day 2: Hike to Moskey. Perhaps lunch at Richie, if you like. Enjoy all that Moskey has to offer. Moskey has a great shallow basin you can go swimming in (that would be fairly warm), just to tell all your friends you swam in Superior. The other two harbors are a bit more refreshing, but certainly not bad in August.
Day 3: Hike to Chippewa. A little backtracking to Richie, but nothing bad. After getting to camp, hike over to Lake Mason, and up on the ridges behind the Chippewa camp. Hike over to what's referred to as "the little school house." (And old fishing homestead)

The added benefit is that all of those camps also have the opportunity for shelters, and have picnic tables. McCargoe and Chippewa also allow contained fires. (One is community ring, the other grill stands)

A couple years ago both Chickenbone and Lake Ritchie were the two lakes that experienced Cyanobacteria bloom (never tested to determine if it was the bad kind, but a water restriction was put in place for safety) - It's possible, given the warm spring and season, that nature may show us that again this year, but who knows.

Like Bob said, you'll probably see Canadian Jays and the unique Isle Royale Red Squirrel, perhaps a fox or two, some loons, and with any luck, that big brown thing called "moose."