Isle Royale Forums

A small group of us are headed to Isle Royale for the first time at the end of June. Ages range from late 20s to mid 30s and skill level from beginner to moderate. I've mapped out a couple trip options and wanted to get some input before sharing with the rest of the group.

Based on the time season, skill level and scenery of the trail would you recommend trip A or B?

TRIP A:
WED: ARRIVE Ferry to Windigo (arrive at 9:30AM)
Windigo --> Lake Desor North (approx. 13-14 miles)
THUR: Lake Desor --> Little Todd Harbor (5.7 miles)
FRI: Little Todd Harbor --> Hatchet Lake (7.8 miles)
SAT: Hatchet Lake --> Malone Bay (11.3 miles)
SUN: DEPART Ferry from Malone Bay (depart 10AM)

TRIP B:
WED: ARRIVE Ferry to Windigo (arrive at 9:30AM)
Windigo --> Island Mine (approx. 9 miles)
THUR: Island Mine --> Siskiwit Bay (4.4 miles)
FRI: Siskiwit Bay --> Feldtman Lake (10.3 miles)
SAT: Feldtman Lake --> Windigo (approx. 8-9 miles)
SUN: DEPART Ferry from Windigo (Depart 1PM)

Also feel free to share anything you think is important for some first timers or if you know the actual distances between Windigo & Lake Desor and Windigo & Feldtman Lake.

Thanks!!

Welcome to the forum, Billbiwer!

"Reverse Trip B" without question.

Given your two choices, and parameters, there is no way I would put a beginning hiker through the death march that is the up/down/up/down repeat from Windigo to Desor North. It can be rough on experienced hikers, so why start your first experience on the Isle with that?

The "Feldtman Loop" as you note in Trip B is a very popular (relative term for Isle Royale) intro to the Island, and has lead to many return visitors. It's a great trail to experience the various terrains and trail types, while still keeping the distances reasonable yet fulfilling. It's easy enough to follow, so you won't get off trail, which can happen on both the Minong and Ishpeming Trails.
Why 'reverse?' - Only that the hike from Windigo to Island Mine is mostly 'up grade' and through the trees, with a ho-hum camp in June. Not too much to tremendously inspire or take one's breath away. The hike from Windigo to Feldtman, on the other hand, will give you a great vista (Grace Overlook) and take you up and down, plus your first night will be along an amazing lake. It will totally engergize your group for the rest of the trip, and have them hooked.
As a bonus, when you get to Island Mine, should you choose to skip over it (doable) it's a mostly downhill hike into Windigo, so again, finishing on an upbeat note!

For all your trail mileage needs, check out http://isleroyaleforums.com/files/mileage_hiking.pdf

Tom, thanks for the quick response and recommendations!

The "Death March" you referred to does not sound like much fun at all.

http://isleroyaleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1523
I agree with the reverse of the Feldtman Loop. Under trip reports, you can find my report of that trip from 2011. Great views from the ridge and nice campsites too. Just be aware of the water situation at Island Mine (worse case, you could just keep going to Windigo) and the false trail before heading up to Island Mine. Also, consider a side trip to Rainbow ove, which I did not do.

billbiwer wrote:...share anything you think is important for some first timers... Thanks!!

If I knew then, what I know now.

Go light!

1) All should have their shoes/boots now(asap), and be breaking them in. Here's how.

2) If all commit to walking 3-5 miles/day, at least every other day, now, until the trip to IRNP; everyone will be prepared to have a more enjoyable journey. You'll all have your "hiking legs" and "broken in shoes". Use these walks to put some light weight in a pack, and carry it. Add more weight and increase your walks length, gradually.

3) One week-end soon, before IRNP trip, all get together and camp in the backyard/local campground. Set up your tents/tarps, take them down, make water , try some of the packer fare foods to see what you like/don't, make water, put you full pack on/off, make more water; do this all on a rainy day . Make sure everyone is comfortable with their kit, and all the gear(knowing how to use and set-up everything). Figure out what can be shared/use, and what everyone needs, one of their own.

4)Discuss the itinerary(Plan B in reverse looks good to me). 2 nights at Feldtman, gives time to explore Rainbow Cove. 2 nights at Siskiwit would also be pretty sweet. Plenty of options.

5) Baby steps in preparation for all, will put the odds in your favor for a great adventure.

6) Do most, some, or all of the above preparations; nobody will be a "first timer" when you arrive at Windigo.

You all may not be seasoned when you arrive, but, you will all at least know what to expect, and can say you are "seasoned" when you complete your journey.

billbiwer wrote:The "Death March" you referred to does not sound like much fun at all.

Oh, I didn't say scrambling over a couple "this is a beaver dam, no, it's a bridge, wait, beaver dam, yep, bridge" paths and up and down over rock isn't fun. It is, and the Minong is something every Isle Royale hiker should strive to put under their belt. It's just not the place I would recommend for a first-timer to the Isle who is also beginning backpacking.
Like Jrwiesz notes, and ounce of preparation will reap rewards in enjoyment once there. Funny how the simple things will always getch ya.

It looks like you have a great set up started and a plan in the works. From your two plans I'd agree with those suggesti g the feltdman loop. I did it last year and loved it. The views on they way into and out of Feltdman campground was fantastic. Siskiwit was my favorite but that's because I really enjoyed the dock and saw lots of wildlife there.

I don't know what the trail between windigo and island mine is like but I thought the hike up to island mine was kind of rough. I'd rather do it going down hill but could do it again going up. I was gong kind of fast because I went from siskiwit to south Desor.

The first route along part of the Minong and ending in Malone Bay will have some very long says over rough terrain. If the members of you group are used to hiking you'll be fine but expect long days.

Doing the Windigo to N. Lake Desor hike is hardest day from one campground to another( without skipping over several campgrounds in between.

Like Tom said " go with the Feldtman Lake loop.
It's a mile and hour trail on the Minong Trail there and I look at it as the day planned later in the trip when food is less and legs and feet and weathered and ready.
Your peoples will love you for the just as scenic days on the Feldtman Loop. Lots of water at stops though dribbles at Isle Mine.

Thanks for all the information and recommendations everyone!!

June can't get here soon enough!

While I agree with everything said already, I did Trip A two years ago off the first boat, solo, and had a blast. Didn't see anyone between Windigo and Malone. The first and last days of hiking got long (I think I skipped Hatchet).

Last year I did Trip B, in reverse, with a group of relative newcomers to backpacking. We had a blast. The only deviation we had with your plan is that we spent two nights at Siskiwit and hiked right past Island Mine, which I recommend doing. That last day feels long, especially with the climb to Island Mine, but the final few miles are downhill and there is ice cream waiting for you at the store. I would much rather spend two nights at Siskiwit than one at Island Mine. Nice enough place for lunch, but that's it for me.

Thanks again for all the great info everyone! We'll be doing the Feldtman Loop in reverse June 26th-30th.

Good choice!. Everything said above is true. You should have no problem reaching Feldtmann Lake Campground, but if for some reason one of your group has a problem, backcountry camping is allowed between Windigo and the campground with a water source at Grace Creek along the way. Just mention that when filling out your permit if you think one of your group may not be able to make it all the way.

I just noticed, the "Miles Chart" Tom referenced is the old incorrect one (I thought it was deleted). The latest most accurate one is "sticky" at the top of this category. DO NOT use the old one. I have attached it here too.