Isle Royale Forums

Greetings,

I am planning a summer backpacking trip with my son to Isle Royale. He will be six at the time of our trip, so I’ll be carrying most of the load. Some time back, I talked with a person familiar with the Island, and he suggested a route from McCargoe Cove to Chippewa Harbor. This route wasn’t very long, but allowed for seeing some of the island, and we could basically day hike after setting up camp. This seems reasonable to me. I plan to make about a 4 day trip, don’t know exact dates yet, but something along the lines of going to the island on Saturday and returning from there on Tuesday. Probably not long enough, but we would get three nights of camping and two full days for exploring. Looking at traveling in July sometime. Avoiding the 4th.

Any thoughts on this route? Any other ideas on where to go and what to see? Neither of us has been there before. My son went to the BWCA with me for 3 days last year, and does well in the outdoors, so I’m not worried about him at all. I’ll just be the one carrying the food, cook kit, tent, sleeping bags and my clothes. Basically all the heavey stuff. He’ll be carrying his clothes.

Sounds like a great idea to me. I've done that route paddling/portaging, but not backpacking. Sat. night at Moskey (or Chickenbone), Sun at Richie, and Mon. at Chippewa. It's relatively flat and easy trails. I wouldn't necessarily rule out the 4th, as it's probably less busy than late July/Aug. I like mid July though, as the black flies are done, it's a little warmer, and not too many folks, yet. I love that you're going with your young son. I didn't take my girls until they were in their teens and they loved it. Wish we had gone sooner!

My experience is the same as Ingo's. It should be a great route for the little one. Lots of good day hiking exploration opportunities at each possible campsite. Lots of good fishing opportunities too, if that's what you're interested in.

Thank you for the info.

I haven't looked into fishing yet. Overall, what should I be prepared for to fish?

Mostly northern pike and some walleye. I've had luck with spoons and mepp's spinners. I crimp the barbs down on the hooks. You should be fine fishing from shore, but it gets even better if you can wade out beyond the weed/reed line. You don't need a MI license fishing inland lakes, but you do to fish McCargo Cove or Chippewa Harbor. I always bring telescoping rods because they are easier to carry.

Thanks. Will there be any water issues along this route? I have a filter of course.

You'll need to use your filter on the island at all bodies of water (Windigo and Rock Harbor have treated water that you don't have to filter, close to the docks). Check with the Rangers when you get to the Park to see if there are any issues with the lakes you'll be going by. There were some issues in the recent past.

The route you have planned is between 10 & 11 miles long. The hike along West Chickenbone is fairly flat and skirts an interesting body of water. There should be opportunities to look for turtles or even potentially a beaver or moose. The hike up to the Greenstone out of West Chickenbone campground is not terribly steep but could challenge a six year old. The walk from the Greenstone Ridge down to Lake Ritchie has some ups and downs but is essentially a woods walk. Walking along Lake Ritchie is pretty and allows you to either camp right by the lake or continue on. The trail from Ritchie down to Chippewa can be muddy and has several noticeable hills to climb. I would suggest pacing yourself as you are walking with a young child. Chippewa harbor is very beautiful and a good place to see waterfowl and an occasional moose. Wolves have been seen and heard in this vicinity in recent years. Overall I think the key is pacing yourself and allowing for shorter hiking days. I would not skip campgrounds unless your son is a very fit and determined walker. Greg Romaneck

This is a great hike...easy, fun, lots to see and do, and one of my favorites. I'll be doing this as a leg of one of my trips this summer as well!

Here's an older thread that directly answers some of your questions, good luck: http://isleroyaleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1179