First Timer Looking for Advice

[Gee]

Hey guys, let me start by saying what an awesome resource these forums are. So I have a lot of questions, let me start with the basics. My father-in-law and I will be on the island at Rock Harbor in early August. We are doing 4 nights and 5 days. As far as our itinerary, we want to stay away from the crowds (I realize that is a relative term on the island). We were thinking of getting a ferry to Hidden Lake and going to Lookout Louise and from there making our way to Lane Cove. From there we were thinking maybe Daisy Farm or East Chickenbone. We are open to about anything we just want to see a lot of the island and some nice areas. So that being said here are my main questions:

1) How hard is it to get a ferry over to Hidden Lake and how much does that cost and what time frame are we looking at?
2) Is going from RH to Lane Cove a tough journey on our first short day?
3) And this is the big one. How would you spend your 5 days 4 nights on your first trip to the island?

Thanks for your time and help
Gary

[Gee]

Well I think we came up with an itinerary. Talked to the NPS today and they kind of helped us out. We will gat a water taxi to Hidden Lake from there we will stay the night at Lane Cove. The next day we will hike to McCargoe Cove and from there Moskey Basin. After that we will stay at Daisy farm or Three mile depending on how we feel. What I want to know is this too much for a first timer to the island and are some of the hikes like Lane Cove to McCargoe cove too much to do in 1 day with out problems. We are both healthy and training for our trip. Any help or suggestions would be great, thanks in advance.


Gee

[egraetze]

On my first trip to the island in the 80s, we went from Rock Harbor to Lane Cove (breeze), then the next day from Lane Cove intending to get to McCargoe Cove. It was early June, but the temperature was over 80. It was a tough leg for our second day and we wound up at East Chickenbone instead when the weather turned bad. The next day we went to McCargoe Cove and spent the remainder of the day exploring. I would advise against East Chickenbone as it is not a nice camping spot. Others may suggest alternatives for the Lane Cove to McCargoe Cove leg. You may want to search what some other first timers are planning.

[Vandy]

I am planning the McCargo to Lane Cove hike on my second to last day of a six day trek.
Pack weight will be down by that time.
However, if need be, I can go to Daisy Farm or 3 Mile.

[Gee]

Thanks for the advice guys I literally can't wait to get to the Island. I feel like I need to get to McCargoe Cove, from the things I have read it is a nice place to be for a night or 2. Which is why I think we need to do what we can can to make it there on our second night, day 2 will be a long hike but if we choose to we can stay at McCargoe Cove for 2 nights.


Thanks again for the replies
Gary

[ddouglas55]

I've hiked the same trails you guys are taking. If you are both in good shape you should be alright but the hike on the Greenstone from Lane Cove to McCargo Cove is a long one. Take plenty of water with you as you will have little opportunity to obtain water along the way. With 5 days on the Island and your itinerary packed the way it is you will be on the trails most of the time. Allow some time for the unexpected, blisters, falls, exhaustion, etc. Let me end with this thought. My worse day on Isle Royale is better than one spent anywhere else.

Have a great trip! Wish I were there.

Dave