1st Timer to Isle Royale

[sandystAR]

I am planning a trip to Isle Royale Aug 19-23. I will be there 5 days and 4 nights. I am 52, travelling solo and am a "I may not be fast, but I can last" type hiker. I grew up in lower Michigan (Grand Rapids) but claim Northwest Arkansas as my home now. I have hiked parts of the Buffalo Trails and Ozark Highlands Trails in AR which are very rocky and up and down. My pack will weigh around 30lbs (I usually carry 25-27 for a weekend).

Here are my questions:
1) I am sure I will be safe travelling alone. Will it be easy for me to bunk with other backpackers if the shelters or sites are full? I have a solo tent.
2) Is there any water access on the way to Lane Cove (after Three Mile)?
3) I don't feel comfortable leaving food in my tent. Are there pretty decent places to hang up your food? Anything else I need to know about that?
4) Motion sickness - Has anyone used Hyland's Motion Sickness tablets? Are they effective? How about the wristbands?
5) Will I be okay following the trails and following the cairns? I don't want to get lost.
5) Itinerary ideas:

Aug 19 - Rock Harbor to Lane Cove
Aug 20 - Lane Cove to Daisy Farm
Aug 21 - Daisy Farm to Three Mile
Aug 22 - Three Mile to Rock Harbor
Aug 23 - Hike around Rock Harbor until ferry.

or
Aug 19 - Rock Harbor to Lane Cove
Aug 20 - Lane Cove to Daisy Farm
Aug 21 - Daisy Farm to Moskey Basin
Aug 22 - Moskey Basin to Three Mile
Aug 23 - Three Mile to Rock Harbor (wait for ferry)

or
Aug 19 - Stay at Rock Harbor (day hikes)
Aug 20 - Rock Harbor to Lane Cove
Aug 21 - Lane Cove to Daisy Farm
Aug 22 - Daisy Farm to Three Mile
Aug 23- Three Mile to Rock Harbor (wait for ferry)

Any help is appreciated on any of my questions.

[jerry]

I've solo hiked your first list of campgrounds and I am sure you won't get lost at all. If you leave Rock Harbor with a couple of liters of water you won't need any until you get to Lane Cove. There are plenty of trees at these campgrounds if you want to hang your food up. Remember to bring a camera with you, a head net and deet. Rock Harbor is the only place that you'll not have to filter your water. Enjoy yourself.

[Keweenaw]

Here are my questions:
1) I am sure I will be safe travelling alone. Will it be easy for me to bunk with other backpackers if the shelters or sites are full? I have a solo tent.

There will be enough people about that you will be generally safe alone, although a Spot locator or portable marine radio would offer extra insurance. I doubt that the campgrounds will be full, but people are good about sharing tent sites. It is not a tradition to share shelters on IR, but you might get an offer. There are no shelters at Lane Cove.

2) Is there any water access on the way to Lane Cove (after Three Mile)?

One beaver pond on the way up to the Greenstone and some places where the trail comes close to the Lake a few miles prior to the campground. I would carry a couple of liters of water.

3) I don't feel comfortable leaving food in my tent. Are there pretty decent places to hang up your food? Anything else I need to know about that?

Yep. lots of trees, but no bears or raccoons, so you only need to hang it a few feet up to get it out of the way of the squirrels and foxes.

4) Motion sickness - Has anyone used Hyland's Motion Sickness tablets? Are they effective? How about the wristbands?

I have only used Dramamine. Check the marine forecasts, if less than 3 foot waves you may not need anything.

5) Will I be okay following the trails and following the cairns? I don't want to get lost.

Pick up the National Geographic Isle Royale Trails Illustrated map. All trailheads and junctions are well marked. The cairns can be hard to spot sometimes, but there is generally a "path" that can be discerned across the rock slopes.

5) Itinerary ideas:

Aug 19 - Rock Harbor to Lane Cove
Aug 20 - Lane Cove to Daisy Farm
Aug 21 - Daisy Farm to Moskey Basin
Aug 22 - Moskey Basin to Three Mile
Aug 23 - Three Mile to Rock Harbor (wait for ferry)

I like this one the best because Moskey is such a nice campground.

Bob

[sandystAR]

Jerry - Thanks so much for your input.
Bob - Thank you for taking the time to answer all of my questions. I have already purchased the Trails Illustrated Map and the Foot and Trails book and find them extremely useful. I am really excited about this trip and really enjoy this forum.

Thank you both!
Sandy

[laqtis]

FWIW -- I concur with Keweenaw and Jerry. I'll add that all three of your itineraries look good and completely doable. The toughest thing for you will be picking one of the three routes.

[BlackCoffee]

I definitely think you should go with the itinerary that includes Moskey Basin. It's a wonderful spot! I don't remember much in the way of water access on the way to Lane Cove, so I would make sure you have enough with you.

Have fun and tell us about your trip!