2013 Trip Log - Add your planned itinerary here!

[Tom]

Name: Tom
Email: tom(at)thevoigts.com
Hometown: Twin Cities, MN
Arrival Date: Saturday, 8 June 2013
Departure Date: Thursday, 13 June 2013
Coming From/Via: Grand Portage, via Voyageur II
Itinerary: Inland water route from McCargoe to Chippewa. Some variability, but something like:
Saturday, 8 June 2013: McCargoe or Birch Island
Sunday, 9 June 2013: Lake Ritchie Canoe
Monday, 10 June 2013: Wood Lake
Tuesday, 11 June 2013: Whittlesey
Wednesday, 12 June 2013: Chippewa
Notes/Other:
Alas, after backpacking every foot trail on the isle, many multiple times, we'll be canoeing through the middle, doing some fishing along the way. Originally I was hoping to have built my own Kevlar canoe by now, but that's going much slower than planned, so we're grabbing an aluminum model from Capt. Don, and will paddle McCargoe to Chippewa, most likely via Wood. (Weather permitting.) We might start out night one at Birch Island, depending on how things look. We've also extended an invite to Capt Don to join us for as little or much he can, should stars align and he can get away for a little time. (In case you haven't picked up on it, fishing is slightly more than a hobby for him.)

[Tightlines01]

I'll be nterested to hear how it goes for you. I've been debating that same trip in a kayak, but each time I go up and down up and down up and down by Lake Ritchie I start 2nd guessing it. A couple of those portage a seem brutal.

[Kevinl]

Tom, I have done that trip or similar a few times and absolutely love it. Such a different view of the island. Have a wonderful time.

[Kevinl]

Name: Kevin Langton
Email: kevinjlangton@gmail.com
Hometown: Mankato MN
Arrival Date: May 27
Departure Date: June 2
Coming From/Via: Grand Portage via Voyageur II
Itinerary: May 27: Stay at Washington Creek, day hike to Hugginnin or Feldtmann Lake, or just chill and recalibrate, lie in the grass, listen to birds and wind etc.
May 28: to North Desor (I know, long and painful, but getting it out of the way will make the rest seem so easy)
May 29: Little Todd (one of my favorite campsites!)
May 30: Todd Harbor
May 31: McCargoe Cove
June 1: Chippewa Harbor
June 2: hopefully get picked up by Voyageur II and go home
Notes/Other: I may double up a day (skip Little Todd or Todd) in order to spend an evening at Moskey Basin. I may double up a day in order to have a zero or weather day.

As of now, I'm traveling solo. I invited a few friends, but didn't expect anyone to join me on such short notice. I just started planning this trip a couple days ago when I realized a need some spiritual rejuvenation and decided IR may be the best way to get it. Looks like the advantage of doing the Minong this direction is that I should get to cross paths with fonix early and I'm excited about that.

[Wilderness Junkie]

On your way past Chickenbone, keep an eye out for my buddy and I. We will be set up at W.Chickenbone the 31st and 1st. Stop by for some fresh fish (hopefully!!).

[Kevinl]

Will do John. I just had to go back a page to check for your first name. Wasn't sure if when I see you I should refer to you as "Wild" or "Junkie." Two days at Chickenbone is a lovely thing. Hope to see you there enjoying it all.

[Tightlines01]

Hey wilderness junkie. How long are you going to be around. I'm trying to get my reschedule trip done now and my buddy and I will likely be trying to fish west Chickenbone and Ritchie. Leaning twoard 6/3 arrival on the island. Fishing 4/5/6 mostly. Would love some inside info

[IncaRoads]

If you have questions or want feedback on your planned trip, consider posting your questions on the Trail and Campsites and Canoeing, Kayaking, & Fishing subforums.

Tom has a good point; it makes it easier to scan this thread for trip itineraries.

I've moved the discussion of hiking to Hay Bay to the Trails and Campsites subforum.

[sgatz]

Name: Gatz
Hometown: Hagerstown MD
Arrival Date: July 22
Departure Date: July 27 (or 29)
Coming From/Via: Grand Portage/Voyager II
Itinerary:

Wednesday, July 24
Arrive/ at McCargoe Cove set up camp / explore

Thursday, July 25
Portage to Chickenbone Lake (1.2 mi) and camp at Chickenbone West camp site.

Friday, July 26
Portage (0.2 mi) to Lake Livermore → (0.4 mi) to Lake LeSage → (0.6) to Lake Richie and camp at canoe site.

Saturday, July 27
Portage (0.6mi) to Intermediate Lake (lunch?) → (0.4) to Siskiwit Lake paddle to Wood Lake and camp.

Sunday, July 28
Explore / fish around Wood Lake and camp.
Visit Ryan Island?

Monday, July 29
Portage (0.6) to Lake Whittlesey and camp.

Tuesday, July 30
Portage (0.6 mi) to Chippewa Harbor and camp.


Wednesday, July 31
Explore / fish around Chippewa Harbor (Lake Mason /Lake Theresa)

Thursday, August 1
Get picked up from Chippewa Harbor and back to Grand Portage/Voyager II.

****EDITED*****
What do you think of the RED extra days? Is this how you would spend them?

This is my 2nd trip to IR. I went when I was 13 (over 25 years ago) and always wanted to go back.

[Tightlines01]

Looks like a great trip sgats. I'd love to hear the trip report as its a trip I've thought about before and hope to do someday!

If the weather is noce and Siskiwit lake isn't rough consider a brief side trip to Ryan island.

Andy

[MikeT]

Welcome to the forums Gatz!
Looks like a very nice trip.
I would definitely skip Intermediate CG (good stop for snack though to see it) and go to Ryan Island and stay at Wood Lake (it is one of my favorites) if Siskiwit Lake cooperates. That is the only lake that can really stop you. It is a short paddle to Wood, but Siskiwit can be undoable on days. The portage from Whittlesey to Chippewa is surprisingly hard for the distance, but it is the end of your trip and you will be lighter. The paddle from that portage to Chippewa is gorgeous!

Enjoy your trip!

Mike T.

[Kevinl]

Sgatz it's such a wonderful route you've planned. I've done that twice, once solo and once with my father, who was close to 70 at the time. Reading this makes me want to do it again soon. Mike's recommendations are spot on, of course.

Your portages for July 24 always feel long for me (and that's just how I've stacked them too), but it's a nice campsite at Lake Richie and makes it worth it.

The nice thing about that patch on Siskiwit that those guys mentioned is that even if it's windy there are many small islands you can hide behind.

Have a great trip.

[MIKE A]

Name: MIKE A.
Email: SEAGUL5@COMCAST.NET
Hometown: Macomb, MI
Arrival Date: Monday, 27 MAY 2013
Departure Date: Friday, 31 MAY 2013
Coming From/Via: Copper Harbor, MI
Itinerary: Some variability, but something like:
Monday, 27 May 2013: McCargoe Cove
Tuesday, 28 May 2013: Tod Harbor
Wednesday, 29 May 2013: Hatchet Lake
Thursday, 30 May 2013: Daisy Farm
Friday, 31 May 2013: Rock Harbor
Notes/Other:10th visit to Island First Time in 1973 at Age 11.
Pack Weight around 36 lbs at start

[Tightlines01]

Sounds like you've got a fairly trimmed pack MikeA. Is that dry or wet 36#?

Your Itineary looks pretty long hiking some days (including the first one) and short on the other days (like Todd to Hatchet). It depends on what you want to do though and how used to long hikes you are. Are you coming on the boat or sea plane? Remember that if your taking the boat you likely won't start the first day until about 12:30 ish.

Hatchet isn't a bad site but generally nothing special. I am partial to it because I watched a cow and calf moose there for almost 30 min last fall. Without that experience I'd likely not be back. The climb out of there is short and steep to get onto the greenstone.

I do like McCargo and Todd though good choices there.

[MIKE A]

I am going on the Queen .
I know it going to be a long day 1.
My pack is 36 lbs DRY .
No final weight yet I will post at time of final packing.
I do love Hatchet Lake and the only way to see it is long hikes.
From the east end of the island and a short 4-5 days I need to log
miles everyday.
I am a long time backpacker and runner so its not to bad on even the longest days .
First day I will have to Boogy .LOL