Isle Royale Forums

Hey Everyone,

I'm planning my first trip to Isle Royale for the end of June/Fourth of July week 2013.

Plan to leave out of Houghton. Bringing my daughter (10), athletic girl, my brother, and myself.

Mostly have been doing dayhikes the last few years, but ready to take it up a notch this year.
I have created a preliminary itinerary for the trip, which encompasses 9 days. See if this plan sounds decent, or let me know a better way to tweak it/past experience. Figure if I get this worked out now, it will save me a ton of work later.

Day One: Houghton to Rock Harbor. Hike to Three-Mile (I have to drive through the night on
Thursday night, so I figured I'm going to be wiped out).

Day Two: Three Mile to Moskey Basin.
Day Three: Spend another day at Moskey Basin.

Day Four: Hike from Moskey Basin to McCargoe Cove
Day Five: Extra Day at McCargoe Cove.

Day Six: Hike McCargoe Cove to Daisy Farm.
Day Seven: Extra Day at Daisy Farm.

Day Eight: Hike to Three Mile Campground, set up camp, then head into Rock Harbor for a while.
Day Nine: Hike to Rock Harbor to take Ferry back to Houghton.

Trying to make a realistic plan with some down time for the kid. We still will cover around 40miles over the 9 days. Might do a few small day hikes to see some mines and Ojibway Tower.

Just thought I would throw out my idea and see what the experienced hikers think of the idea.

Thanks,
Jim

Welcome to the forum B.M.W!

Your trip itinerary looks very good for a first time visit to IR. The only long hiking days are the 8.2 miles from Daisy to McCargoe cove and back and that's a very 'doable' hike in a day.

The only suggestion I would make would be to skip the extra day at Daisy Farm on the return leg and head up to Lane Cove for a night, then head into RH for the last night and grab a shelter for the last night. Since it's your first visit, you can certainly fill an afternoon exploring the trails / sights around RH and not have to hurry to catch the boat in the morning.

Also, with the extra day at McCargoe Cove, you can always decide to stop at W.Chickenbone for a night on the journey in or out, depending on how your daughter is holding up.

9 days is enough time (well, there is never really enough time) to see the Eastern end of the island without rushing everywhere.

I'm sure others will comment on options for your trip!

Enjoy your trip!

Wilderness Junkie wrote:The only suggestion I would make would be to skip the extra day at Daisy Farm on the return leg and head up to Lane Cove for a night, then head into RH for the last night and grab a shelter for the last night. Since it's your first visit, you can certainly fill an afternoon exploring the trails / sights around RH and not have to hurry to catch the boat in the morning.

I wasn't sure if I liked the last part of my plan...thanks for the suggestion. I don't think I realized there are shelters/sites at Rock Harbor....I didn't want to spend $250 on a room at the lodge...but now that I know there are shelters, I can definitely tweak the end of this. The hiking back and forth from Three-Mile doesn't sound all that appealing...especially at the end of the trip!

I didn't know if maybe I should think of doing my plan in reverse and go counter-clockwise...I could start out at Three-Mile and then head to Lane Cove for two days...then work towards McCargoe Cove via East/West Chickenbone...two days at McCargoe, then head over to Moskey Bay for two days.

Seems like if I do it Counter-Clockwise, I end up with longer hikes in between. Probably should just keep it the same and tweak the last three days.

Thanks,

Jim

BigManWalking wrote: I didn't know if maybe I should think of doing my plan in reverse and go counter-clockwise...I could start out at Three-Mile and then head to Lane Cove for two days...then work towards McCargoe Cove via East/West Chickenbone...two days at McCargoe, then head over to Moskey Bay for two days.

I'd stick with your original plan & Junkie's suggestions. To get to Lane Cove it's up and over the ridge and pretty steep on the north side. The advantage of doing it at the end is that you'll have a better idea if everyone's up to it or not and will be easy to change your mind. If you start with it there's no option for opting out. It's the one campsite on that end of the island where once you commit to it you pretty much have to do it.

My 2 girls first did an I.R. trip when they were in their young teens and they both loved it. One has been back with me several times since, and the other still wants to. Great to get them out when they're young!

Hey BigMW-
Well done on your first sketch! I would not go to lane cove on this trip. U will be returning some day; possibly just for a 5 nite trip via the RangerIII, at which time lane cove will fit nicely into that itinerary. Ascending the greenstone w/ packs from daisy, then descending to lane cove w/ its many switchbacks, then climbing back up and over mt. Franklin the very next day (u may have a mutiny on your hands, or your daughter will smother u w/ your tiny backpacking pillow).
I take it u wont be getting a motel thurs nite; with all of the planning & prep don't let a deer thwart your trip. I dont see that great out of my L eye, but when i drive to houghton late at night (tired), i dont feel confident driving more than 52mph for the last couple hours (i drive thru watersmeet), knowing that i'll get there safely and intact to board the boat.
I always plan to crash on the Ranger for a few hours or so, hopeful that i will then have the energy to make it to daisy with its 16 shelters, so i dont have to mess with the tent, but oftentimes it doesnt work out that way. My first trip there i did make it to daisy, but not without falling flat on my face (in an instant I was down) when i tripped on a tree root between 3mile&daisy. No doubt u will be carrying a bit of extra weight so that your daughter is lighter, so the plan for 3mile is a sound one ("slow and steady wins...").
When u begin your hike, don't take the rock harbor trail to 3Mile outpost; instead take the Tobin Harbor trail, which will mean an extra 1/3 mile. When u do hit the RH trail (vicinity of 3Mile), u will be right at the tent sites; drop your pack and walk a bit E to check if any shelters are available (unlikely).
Do take the RH trail on the return journey, unless a member of your party is injured or "hurting". If u take the RH trail at the start of your trip, u may significantly predispose your ankles and/or knees to suffer an injury later in your trip. To locate the tobin harbor trail at the start, walk in the direction of the seaplane dock on Tobin, and u will see the trail's beginning on your L.
On day 2 when u begin the 3.5 mile section of the RH trail that ends up at Moskey Basin, realize 3 things: 1) the trail is more like 4 miles; 2) the first 1/2 of that section is one of the more challenging hikes in the park [be extremely careful if the trail is wet]; 3) the second 1/2 is quite pleasant, so take your time on the first half.
Your plan for 2 nites at both moskey & mccargoe is excellent. I like the 2 nites at daisy as well, with your planned day hike to the tower (u can hike E on the greenstone from the tower about a 1/3 mile and find a decent overlook spot to have lunch in total privacy); and the sand beach on the eastern half of daisy is great4swimming.
FYI-East Chickenbone outpost "sucks"; u wont get a shelter on your 1st nite @mccargoe, and the tent sites are located at the top of a bit of a climb (nice view though); West CB is great, except for the mosquitoes, but dont be tempted to break camp @ mccargoe after just one nite.
Bring an extra rain jacket or rain repellant windbreaker for your daughter; given her size it wont add much bulk or weight, but will really come in handy when her rain jacket is soaked/clammy & there is no good opportunity to dry it out.
There are no wood fires allowed at any of "your" camp outposts, except there is a community fire ring @ mccargoe, which is a big plus.
FYI - 9 shelters and 11 campsites @ RH.
Wishing u a safe drive, pleasant weather on your trip, and a joyous 2013.

Hey Bergman,

Thanks for all of the great insider info...you can't beat personal, first-hand knowledge. When I did the math on rerouting to Lane Cove, it took me up to 50 miles, from 40 miles, for the trip, that might be pushing it anyway for my over-zealous brother and my poor "how'd you drag me into this" daughter!

bergman wrote:Ascending the greenstone w/ packs from daisy, then descending to lane cove w/ its many switchbacks, then climbing back up and over mt. Franklin the very next day (u may have a mutiny on your hands, or your daughter will smother u w/ your tiny backpacking pillow).

I can just imagine waking up to her doing this to me! Very funny image! She is pretty excited, just got her pack at REI the other day, lots of adjustments, she was wearing the demo pack around the store, didn't know if she was gonna take it off.

bergman wrote: take it u wont be getting a motel thurs nite; with all of the planning & prep don't let a deer thwart your trip. I dont see that great out of my L eye, but when i drive to houghton late at night (tired),

I just drove up there this past summer, we were hiking at Porcupine Mountains July 2012, it is definitely a beautiful trip to Houghton...less intimidating traveling during the day, I plan to just take my time and hope I don't hit a deer.

bergman wrote:u can hike E on the greenstone from the tower about a 1/3 mile and find a decent overlook spot to have lunch in total privacy

Thanks for the great tip...sounds like a great idea to me. Can't wait to get some amazing photos on this trip...need to learn how to use the raw mode on my Canon G10.

Anyone have any good suggestions for some good exploring at Moskey Basin and McCargoe Cove?

Anyone have any good suggestions for some good exploring at Moskey Basin and McCargoe Cove?

Moskey is a bit more limited, since the land around it is more lowlands, but it's still a great place for a spare day. There is a decent pier, and a 'swimming hole' shallows to the North side of it. The shelters are quite well placed along the shore, as well, with easy access to the water. One can always hike over to Ritchie for a good leg stretcher, as well. Depending on the water flow, there is also a small waterfall (you'll pass it coming from Daisy) that is fun to explore, maybe a mile back on the Rock Harbor trail.
McCargoe Cove is much easier to find things to explore. Hike about a mile up the Minong, and you'll find a sign directing you to a spur trail that leads to the old mines. There are also various tailing piles and ridges to explore. A dayhike over to Chickenbone East (or West) is also a good way to stretch the legs. There is also the community fire ring, a great place to make new friends.

A compromise to consider regarding adding Lane Cove would be to take the long route from Daisy Farm to Three Mile. This would be up to the Greenstone Ridge on the Ojibway Tower trail and then down to Three Mile from Mt. Franklin. This ridge route will give you some of the best vistas the Greenstone has to offer (weather permitting). Even though the mileage of this longer route is slightly less than twice the shoreline trail, I think longer trail is easier than the shoreline route.

Once you get to Daisy Farm it will be toward the end of the trip so you will have a very good idea what shape you're in regarding your feet and your energy. You could also make a lightly loaded day trip up to the ridge and back on your extra day at Daisy Farm.