Greatest hits tour?

[MeganP]

Howdy,

I'm planning to be back on the island this summer for my fourth trip. I've mostly hiked the Windigo end of the island in the past, but I've heard so many great things about the eastern end and some of the campsites, so that's my destination this year. I'm looking for input on this itinerary:

Wednesday, June 8: Take the Voyageur from Grand Portage, Minn., to Rock Harbor. Hike to Lane Cove.
Thursday, June 9: Lane Cove to Moskey Basin.
Friday, June 10: Moskey Basin to Lake Richie.
Saturday, June 11: Lake Richie to Chippewa Harbor.
Sunday, June 12: Get picked up by the Voyageur in Chippewa Harbor, back to Grand Portage.

A few specific questions:
1. How's Lake Richie? Worth an overnight?
2. Am I going to regret how much time I spend on the ferry in a span of five days?
3. Are the first two days too ambitious?
4. I sort of want to avoid the busyness of Rock Harbor/Daisy Farm if possible, but are these campsites quiet?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Megan

[Tom]

Howdy,

A few specific questions:
1. How's Lake Richie? Worth an overnight?
2. Am I going to regret how much time I spend on the ferry in a span of five days?
3. Are the first two days too ambitious?
4. I sort of want to avoid the busyness of Rock Harbor/Daisy Farm if possible, but are these campsites quiet?

1.) Ritchie is a great site, if you're in good weather and early in the season. The lake itself is quite beautiful, but the campsites are a bit unprotected up on the hill side, and so it's not the best place if it's stormy. Later in the season Ritchie has been one of the lakes that's had an algae/cyanobacteria bloom in a couple recent years, and therefore you are advised to not take water during that time. In June, however, you'll be fine.
2.) I don't think so, it is what it is. Plus, it's not like the scenery is bad, or anything! Sailing around through the five fingers/Amygaloid area, and then around the point, is certainly fun. However, you can always elect to start at McCargoe Cove, too, and shave off a couple hours.
3.) Rock Harbor to Lane Cove right off the boat is certainly quite doable, especially in early June when the days are long. It's not too difficult in that direction. It's the hike back out the second day that can poop you out. Last May I hiked from Lane Cove to Moskey, taking the Greenstone to Ojibway, down to Daisy Farm, and then over to Moskey. (Hiked from RH to LC right off the boat, that same hike, too.) The last section, on the Rock Harbor trail, certainly felt unwelcome. It was a long day, but we stopped at Daisy for lunch. If it's your first hike of the season, which it was for us, it might make you sore.. However, Moskey to Ritchie is a short little hop, so you have that to look forward to.
4.) Crowds are random that time of year. Early to mid-June is my favorite time on the Isle. I've been at Moskey and it's been full; I've been at Daisy Farm and it had two other parties, but had been full the day before. No way to predict it, so no sense in bothering to work around it. Chippewa, by nature of being a dead end, can often be quiet, with just the other hikers catching the boat, too..

[MeganP]

Tom,

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I appreciate your insight! This is very helpful.

Megan

[Keweenaw]

Howdy,

Wednesday, June 8: Take the Voyageur from Grand Portage, Minn., to Rock Harbor. Hike to Lane Cove.
Thursday, June 9: Lane Cove to Moskey Basin.
Friday, June 10: Moskey Basin to Lake Richie.
Saturday, June 11: Lake Richie to Chippewa Harbor.
Sunday, June 12: Get picked up by the Voyageur in Chippewa Harbor, back to Grand Portage.

A few specific questions:
1. How's Lake Richie? Worth an overnight?
2. Am I going to regret how much time I spend on the ferry in a span of five days?
3. Are the first two days too ambitious?
4. I sort of want to avoid the busyness of Rock Harbor/Daisy Farm if possible, but are these campsites quiet?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Megan

Hi Megan,

1) I wouldn't bother with Lake Ritchie as an overnight. I would either spend an extra night at Moskey or at Chippewa Harbor. The hike from Moskey to Chippewa is easy and you could spend a few hours at Lake Ritchie on your way.

2) Probably not. Bring a book, watch the incredible scenery, chat with others, take photos.

3) Nope. Rock Harbor to Lane Cove (7 miles) is up and over the Greenstone, but the trails are pretty good unless it's pouring rain, in which case the rocks and switchbacks can be a little challenging. The second day to Moskey is 11 miles, which is not a bad mileage at all, but the last bit from Daisy Farm to Moskey is the roughest part of the trail. Just get an early start and take it easy - you have the whole day to hike and sightsee.

4) Lane Cove will be very quiet. Moskey and Chippewa may have boaters docked and both of these campgrounds also have group sites, so there is a potential for more noise, but it's impossible to predict.

Bob