Malone Bay to Rainbow Cove

[jpbreedlove]

I would like to try an off trail hike to/from Malone Bay to Rainbow Cove. Any suggestions for how to get sufficiently detailed maps or any other advice?

[Midwest Ed]

Hello and welcome,

Is your goal to avoid the trek to the Greenstone Ridge and back or to bushwack the entire way to Rainbow Cove? If it's the former, it doesn't look too bad and is only about 8 miles across the north shore of Siskiwit Bay. The rest can be done using trails. I guess I've never been one to walk in the drainage ditch if I didn't have to when there was a sidewalk right next to it.

If it's the latter, you should first check these backcountry restriction maps as I believe a good portion of your journey will be across areas closed or very restricted to camping during most of the season.

http://isleroyaleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1057

Topo maps are available from the USGS.

[jpbreedlove]

Thanks for the reply. I have hiked virtually all the trails on the island. I was thinking of trying something a little different, and these end points are some of my favorite places. I didn't plan on going until next summer ( just came off the island a couple weeks ago) so I have time to plan a back country trip.

[Midwest Ed]

A more interesting and more useful (IMO) bushwack would be Chippewa Harbor to Malone Bay. It was discussed right here a few days ago. If you end up doing something please let us know how it turned out.