Route suggestions for first timers

[Mr Blister]

Greetings all. Great site! I would appreciate any input on good routes for our trip in Mid June.

A little background, All 3 of us are in our early 40's and in "decent" shape, definately not triatheletes but we have always held our own. We have hiked the entire Superior trail on MN's north shore. We have also done a few back country trips to Colorado and did a 14er and a 13er. So we're not novices to hiking. So we are all set on gear etc. What I'm wondering about is good routes.

We are arriving at Windigo on Wednesday and have to be back on Sunday at Windigo. So we're looking for the best routes for a 5 day trip without having to cover the same terrain twice (or as little as possible) That being said we also aren't looking to kill ourselves. We've done 17 mile days before and while it's an accomplishment. We also want to take time to smell the roses and take in the scenery. Any good route suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Keweenaw]

Hi Mr. B,

Darn, if you wanted to kill yourselves I had a route planned for you from Windigo past Hatchet Lake on the Greenstone, cutting over to the Minong back to Windigo. Actually doable if you want to hike a lot over rugged terrain.

If you want to have a little more relaxing time and if you are taking the Voyager, I would suggest:

Wednesday - off the boat and hike to South Desor (11.6 miles but relatively easy)
Thursday - South Desor to Hatchet Lake (8 miles)
Friday - Hatchet Lake to West Chickenbone (8 miles)
Saturday - West Chickenbone to Chippewa Harbor (8 miles)
Sunday - Catch Voyager back to Grand Portage

Bob

[head2north]

As Bob assumes, you are getting over to the island by Voyager from Grand Portage, this route option assumes.

You could bypass Windigo on Wednesday and continue on the Voyager to McCargo Cove.
Wednesday : Todd Harbor
Thursday : Little Todd
Friday : North Desor
Saturday : Windigo
Sunday morning : Before Voyager departs to Grand Portage. Morning hike Feldtmann a couple miles to ridge vista.

Minong Trail offers awesome vistas, less crowded, and Lake Superior Campsites (cool breezes and maybe less bugs)

[Mr Blister]

Hi Mr. B,

Darn, if you wanted to kill yourselves I had a route planned for you from Windigo past Hatchet Lake on the Greenstone, cutting over to the Minong back to Windigo. Actually doable if you want to hike a lot over rugged terrain.

If you want to have a little more relaxing time and if you are taking the Voyager, I would suggest:

Wednesday - off the boat and hike to South Desor (11.6 miles but relatively easy)
Thursday - South Desor to Hatchet Lake (8 miles)
Friday - Hatchet Lake to West Chickenbone (8 miles)
Saturday - West Chickenbone to Chippewa Harbor (8 miles)
Sunday - Catch Voyager back to Grand Portage

Bob

Thanks for the tips Bob. My only question or concern. Do you know how many miles it is from Chippewa Harbor to Windigo? I couldn't see it on the map?

[Mr Blister]

As Bob assumes, you are getting over to the island by Voyager from Grand Portage, this route option assumes.

You could bypass Windigo on Wednesday and continue on the Voyager to McCargo Cove.
Wednesday : Todd Harbor
Thursday : Little Todd
Friday : North Desor
Saturday : Windigo
Sunday morning : Before Voyager departs to Grand Portage. Morning hike Feldtmann a couple miles to ridge vista.

Minong Trail offers awesome vistas, less crowded, and Lake Superior Campsites (cool breezes and maybe less bugs)

Yes, we are leaving from Grand Portage.
That sounds like a good option as well. Do you think we would be missing more of the cool inland campsites? Looks like a good route though. For Saturday I am also looking at Huginnin Cove. It doesn't look too far from Windigo but I am unsure of distance and topograpy? No pun intended but I wouldn't want to miss the boat
Thanks for the advice.

[fonixmunkee]

Yes, we are leaving from Grand Portage.
That sounds like a good option as well. Do you think we would be missing more of the cool inland campsites? Looks like a good route though. For Saturday I am also looking at Huginnin Cove. It doesn't look too far from Windigo but I am unsure of distance and topograpy? No pun intended but I wouldn't want to miss the boat
Thanks for the advice.

The Minong ridge hike is very fun and very rewarding. It will kick your ass a bit, however, but it sounds like you are in better shape than I, so you'll have no problem. I give that suggestion "thumbs up." So much thumbs-up, I'll be doing that same trek again in less than a month.

I'm told Huginnin Cove is beautiful, but I've never been. By the time we plod into Washington Creek/Windigo, we're too tired to make the 3-4 mile spur trail. I don't think you'd be let down if you shot up there. It's a pretty easy hike as well.

Love the forum name, by the way!

[Keweenaw]

Thanks for the tips Bob. My only question or concern. Do you know how many miles it is from Chippewa Harbor to Windigo? I couldn't see it on the map?

23.5 miles

Trail mileages: http://isleroyaleforums.com/files/mileage_hiking.pdf

[Mr Blister]

Yes, we are leaving from Grand Portage.
That sounds like a good option as well. Do you think we would be missing more of the cool inland campsites? Looks like a good route though. For Saturday I am also looking at Huginnin Cove. It doesn't look too far from Windigo but I am unsure of distance and topograpy? No pun intended but I wouldn't want to miss the boat
Thanks for the advice.

The Minong ridge hike is very fun and very rewarding. It will kick your ass a bit, however, but it sounds like you are in better shape than I, so you'll have no problem. I give that suggestion "thumbs up." So much thumbs-up, I'll be doing that same trek again in less than a month.

I'm told Huginnin Cove is beautiful, but I've never been. By the time we plod into Washington Creek/Windigo, we're too tired to make the 3-4 mile spur trail. I don't think you'd be let down if you shot up there. It's a pretty easy hike as well.

Love the forum name, by the way!

Better shape than you? I doubt it. We're just dumb abd stubborn enough to keep going. Are we better off to head south somehow to get on the Greenfield?

Thanks to all for the great advice. I have already changed our itinerary on some suggestions. If anyone wants any advice on the Superior Hiking Trail let me know.

[Mr Blister]

Hi Mr. B,

Darn, if you wanted to kill yourselves I had a route planned for you from Windigo past Hatchet Lake on the Greenstone, cutting over to the Minong back to Windigo. Actually doable if you want to hike a lot over rugged terrain.

If you want to have a little more relaxing time and if you are taking the Voyager, I would suggest:

Wednesday - off the boat and hike to South Desor (11.6 miles but relatively easy)
Thursday - South Desor to Hatchet Lake (8 miles)
Friday - Hatchet Lake to West Chickenbone (8 miles)
Saturday - West Chickenbone to Chippewa Harbor (8 miles)
Sunday - Catch Voyager back to Grand Portage

Bob

This looks like a good route as well but are you suggesting on Day one taking Minong to South Desor?

[Mr Blister]

Hi Mr. B,

Darn, if you wanted to kill yourselves I had a route planned for you from Windigo past Hatchet Lake on the Greenstone, cutting over to the Minong back to Windigo. Actually doable if you want to hike a lot over rugged terrain.

If you want to have a little more relaxing time and if you are taking the Voyager, I would suggest:

Wednesday - off the boat and hike to South Desor (11.6 miles but relatively easy)
Thursday - South Desor to Hatchet Lake (8 miles)
Friday - Hatchet Lake to West Chickenbone (8 miles)
Saturday - West Chickenbone to Chippewa Harbor (8 miles)
Sunday - Catch Voyager back to Grand Portage

Bob

This looks like a good route as well but are you suggesting on Day one taking Minong to South Desor?

Scratch that. I looked at the map incorrectly. So take Greenstone from Windigo to South desor? You say realitively easy, I don't have a good Topo yet but it looks like it could be a buster.

[jerry]

I'm 25 years older then you. I'm sure you won't have an issue getting to S. Desor. I almost hiked from S. Desor to Windigo and back in one day. A work crew on the Greenstone (about 2 miles from Windigo) told me where I was, so I turned around and headed back to S. Desor. (Don't ask why I did this.) The next day I made it down to Malone Bay.

[Keweenaw]

Scratch that. I looked at the map incorrectly. So take Greenstone from Windigo to South desor? You say realitively easy, I don't have a good Topo yet but it looks like it could be a buster.

It's a walk in the woods. The Greenstone Trail at that end is mostly packed dirt and the climbs are easy grades. Assuming your boots are well broken-in and your packs are < 50 pounds and you have some pre-IR training miles under your belts you shouldn't have a problem.

Bob

[Mr Blister]

Scratch that. I looked at the map incorrectly. So take Greenstone from Windigo to South desor? You say realitively easy, I don't have a good Topo yet but it looks like it could be a buster.

It's a walk in the woods. The Greenstone Trail at that end is mostly packed dirt and the climbs are easy grades. Assuming your boots are well broken-in and your packs are < 50 pounds and you have some pre-IR training miles under your belts you shouldn't have a problem.

Bob

Good to know. I am going to check with the other 2 guys in the group but I think this sounds like a good route. The mileage sounds enjoyable and it sounds like all those campsites are among peoples favorites. Thanks

[Mr Blister]

I'm 25 years older then you. I'm sure you won't have an issue getting to S. Desor. I almost hiked from S. Desor to Windigo and back in one day. A work crew on the Greenstone (about 2 miles from Windigo) told me where I was, so I turned around and headed back to S. Desor. (Don't ask why I did this.) The next day I made it down to Malone Bay.

Good info to know. I think we're going to give this itinerary a try. I appreciate it!

[Mr Blister]

Hi Mr. B,

Darn, if you wanted to kill yourselves I had a route planned for you from Windigo past Hatchet Lake on the Greenstone, cutting over to the Minong back to Windigo. Actually doable if you want to hike a lot over rugged terrain.

If you want to have a little more relaxing time and if you are taking the Voyager, I would suggest:

Wednesday - off the boat and hike to South Desor (11.6 miles but relatively easy)
Thursday - South Desor to Hatchet Lake (8 miles)
Friday - Hatchet Lake to West Chickenbone (8 miles)
Saturday - West Chickenbone to Chippewa Harbor (8 miles)
Sunday - Catch Voyager back to Grand Portage

Bob

Well Bob we just booked our boat trip on the Voyaguer II. And are taking this route. Thanks to you and everyone for their advice. I'll report back on the trip. We'll be there the week of June 13th. Hoping for good weather and no black flies! Thanks again.

Oh one other question. Do any of the sites other than Chippewa have outhouses or latrine's like on the SHT? Or is it all catholes?