Isle Royale Forums

Hey me and a couple of friends are going on a 7 day backpacking trip. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice as to which trails/campsites are a must do or in other words which are the best ones.
thanks,

Give us some info on your group and what kind of trip you have in mind. There's a lot of ways to go on IR.

We four kids just out of high school. We want to try and see the coolest parts of the island like the ones with the best views and stuff. We are not afraid to do a lot of hiking we are all in good shape

Isle Royale is a great place for a trip! I'm sure you'll get loads of ideas, but your question is pretty open ended.

Do you know how you are getting to the island? If coming from Michigan it may be closest for you to come by seaplane out of Houghton (pricy but fast) or ferry boat (Ranger out of Houghton or the Queen out of Copper Harbor). If the U.P. is not convenient for you, the other ferry boat (Voyageur) comes out of Grand Portage, Minnesota.

The choice you make determines where you will enter the island, either Rock Harbor or Wendigo. It will be impossible to cover the whole island in a single trip, so your starting point will help determine what route might be a good choice for maximum sight-seeing.

It would also help if you let us know your groups experience with backpacking. Are you looking to fish while there? Are you planning on canoeing while on the island? Lots of questions ...

One bit of good news is that you have 6 or less people, so you qualify as an individual party and don't have to follow group camping rules (7-10 people). This will give you a lot of flexibility to change your itinerary should you want to.

As srparr said, first thing to figure out is how you're getting to IR. You've got Ferries from Copper Harbor or Houghton to Rock Harbor, or out of Grand Portage which circumnavigates the island. Then there's the seaplane. One thing to consider is if you catch the Ferry out of Grand Portage you can have different drop-off and pick-locations. Isle Royale is pretty much backpacker heaven. You're going to be hard pressed to find a route that won't foot the bill. I would start looking at a trail map and the mileage chart and figure out some possibilities, then let us know what you're toying with doing and we can give you more to go on. IR is lots of small up-down and can be a little rugged but in my opinion it's not too bad. One thing you will hear is that most people are not big fans of camping at Island Mine or Chickenbone East. I haven't used either myself but it is a common sentiment. The Greenstone is kind of like "Main Street", but on IR that still doesn't amount to too many hikers, and besides the percentage of cool people is very high on the island so the ones you do meet tend to be the type you're glad you got to meet. The Minong is more secluded, and doesn't have many sites with shelters. There are lots of ways to make loops, and even a couple of actual loops like the Feldtmann.

we are taking the queen ferry that leaves from copper harbor Michigan. We want to fish but we are not kayaking or canoeing our goal is to see as much as possible. We have all gone backpacking a lot before.

We will be on the island for 7 days

Sounds like you need a loop originating in Rock Harbor that will afford fishing opportunities. I'm not a fisherman, so I will defer to the oodles of forum members here that are. 7 days should leave you with a lot of options, especially being young, in shape, and experienced. I'd kill to have my knees like they were when I was 18. I would include Moskey Basin if you can. Love that spot.

I have a couple routes you might find interesting. Note that the ferry schedule depends on the date (off season it will not run every day)

To fish Lake Superior waters you will need a Michigan fishing license, but if you only fish inland water then no license required. Read "The Greenstone", the park newspaper, for fishing regulations (http://isleroyaleforums.com/download/Gr ... e_2012.pdf)

Route 1 (Easy miles with dayhike side trips)
day1: arrive Rock Harbor, hike -> Three Mile, dayhike Mt. Franklin, explore the east end of the Greenstone
day2: hike -> Moskey Basin, swim
day3: hike -> Chippewa Harbor, explore sunset ridge
day4: hike -> West Chickenbone, dayhike west on Greenstone to overlook
day5: hike -> McCargo Cove, explore the mines
day6: hike -> Rock Harbor, visit Ojibway firetower on the way
day7: explore the Rock Harbor area, ferry -> Copper Harbor

Route 1 includes Moskey Basin, Chippewa Harbor, and McCargo Cove, arguably three of the best campsites on the east end of the island.

There are plenty of opportunities here for day trips to cool spots, and flexibility to change your route based on the weather or how ambitious everyone in the group is feeling.

Lastly, it gives you a day at Rock Harbor, to explore Scoville Point or rent a canoe to explore Hidden Lake/Lookout Louise, or maybe rent a motor boat and cruise to the lighthouse and explore some of the outlying islands.

Route 2 (longer miles, see more of the island)
day1: arrive Rock Harbor, hike -> Moskey Basin
day2: hike -> Chippewa Harbor
day3: hike -> McCargo Cove
day4: hike -> Todd Harbor
day5: hike -> Hatchet Lake, hike -> West Chickenbone via Greenstone
day6: hike -> Lane Cove
day7: hike -> Rock harbor, ferry -> Copper Harbor

Route 2 has longer miles, but lets you see everything from route1 + Todd Harbor, Hatchet Lake, and Lane Cove. Only has a little time at Rock Harbor to explore before having to catch the ferry out.

Other interesting routes can get you further into the backcountry if you are willing pay for a water taxi, but as a first time visitor I think it will give you a better appreciation of the island to travel by foot.