I'm looking at potential routes for my second trip to IR. While I'm not a triathlete or anything I cover a fair amount of ground. Not sure how many days (i.e. how much food weight) I'll be looking at yet but my base is under nine pounds and I'll probably be in the low twenties with food and water at that point. Island Mine sounds like a ho-hum site, so I was contemplating going from Hatchet Lake all the way to Siskiwit Bay. I'd very much appreciate anyone's thoughts on that, and the Feldtmann Loop in general.
Thanks
Jesse
Sanity Check - Hatchet Lake to Siskiwit Bay
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fonixmunkee
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Re: Sanity Check - Hatchet Lake to Siskiwit Bay
Ahh, it's so great to talk Isle Royale routes. Seems like it's been forever!
Jesse, according to our handy mileage chart provided by the very-awesome MikeT (found here: download/file.php?id=492), it say's it's just a tad under 17 miles. 17 miles is a lot of hiking on Isle Royale in one day, but it's doable...and has been done before by people in similar physical condition. Here's my two cents, though:
The climb out of Hatchet is a quad-killer. After that, the hike to the the Island Mine junction is pretty easy--the Greenstone trail there is like a super highway. It's on the inside of the island, so it'll be warm. Not much of anything terrain-wise, except a nice leisurely walk in the woods. Finally, the hike down to Siskiwit is just that...a hike DOWN HILL to lake level. It's also pretty easy (although there is one up hill that's a little brutal, but it's not bad at all).
Between hiking 12 miles on the Greenstone, then going downhill most of the time to Siskiwit, followed by a beautiful walk along Lake Superior for a few miles into Siskiwit campgrouund, I'd say this route is very do-able. Plus, you'll have the benefit of tossing in the towel at Island Mine should you decide the first 13 miles you just hiked are too much. So you have a built-in back-up plan should you need.
I'd say go for it. I have one word of advice, and one word of motivation to make the jaunt: first, budget 10-15 minutes to explore around Island Mine after the Island Mine campground. There's some cool stuff there, including an old (giant) locomotive. Next, Siskiwit Bay campground is one of my favorites on the island. I always sleep good there because it's by the lake and it's always cool and the sounds of the waves are amazing. Lastly, the north-facing dock is a great place to lay and star-gaze at night.
Jesse, according to our handy mileage chart provided by the very-awesome MikeT (found here: download/file.php?id=492), it say's it's just a tad under 17 miles. 17 miles is a lot of hiking on Isle Royale in one day, but it's doable...and has been done before by people in similar physical condition. Here's my two cents, though:
The climb out of Hatchet is a quad-killer. After that, the hike to the the Island Mine junction is pretty easy--the Greenstone trail there is like a super highway. It's on the inside of the island, so it'll be warm. Not much of anything terrain-wise, except a nice leisurely walk in the woods. Finally, the hike down to Siskiwit is just that...a hike DOWN HILL to lake level. It's also pretty easy (although there is one up hill that's a little brutal, but it's not bad at all).
Between hiking 12 miles on the Greenstone, then going downhill most of the time to Siskiwit, followed by a beautiful walk along Lake Superior for a few miles into Siskiwit campgrouund, I'd say this route is very do-able. Plus, you'll have the benefit of tossing in the towel at Island Mine should you decide the first 13 miles you just hiked are too much. So you have a built-in back-up plan should you need.
I'd say go for it. I have one word of advice, and one word of motivation to make the jaunt: first, budget 10-15 minutes to explore around Island Mine after the Island Mine campground. There's some cool stuff there, including an old (giant) locomotive. Next, Siskiwit Bay campground is one of my favorites on the island. I always sleep good there because it's by the lake and it's always cool and the sounds of the waves are amazing. Lastly, the north-facing dock is a great place to lay and star-gaze at night.
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alecto73
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Re: Sanity Check - Hatchet Lake to Siskiwit Bay
Thanks for the tips. I think one of my favorite things on my Pictured Rocks trip was the abandoned car so a locomotive would be cool.
|| Jess ||
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jerry
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Re: Sanity Check - Hatchet Lake to Siskiwit Bay
Jesse, I believe you'll enjoy your hike from Siskiwit Bay to L. Feldtmann. Views from the fire tower are really nice. After leaving the tower their are great views of Lake Feldtmann along the Ridge on your right side. You might come across moose along the loop as several of us have. Make sure you go out to Rainbow Cove.