Spring 4 day hike

[desertcanoe]

Hi! I'm new to Isle Royale and have appreciated all the experiences and info of everyone at this site. Thanks already!

I'm looking for advice on a great first time backpack on Isle Royale. We're doing our first IR trip this spring, arriving from Grand Marais on Wednesday May 14 and departing Sunday May 19. Any recommendations for routes?

I'd assumed we'd just do the Greenstone Ridge trail because that's the classic route. And since we'll be there in May it seemed ideal because there won't be crowds (right?).

But when I read the thread on this site about "3 favorite, 3 least favorite campsites" I saw that all the Greenstone sites I was looking at are on the "least favorite" list! South Desor, East Chickenbone, ThreeMile - all on the "least favorite" lists.

So that got me thinking about something like being dropped off at McCargo Cove and picked up at Malone Bay or Chippewa Harbor, and somehow making a route that would get us over by Todd and Little Todd or down by Mosskey.

Or maybe just doing the Feldtman loop?

Or is the Greenstone such a great hike that we should do it even though the sites aren't the best?

One other possible complication. We already have a reservation to get dropped off at Windigo and picked up at Rock Harbor. How does the ferry do with changes - do they allow them, will they get it right or forget that they need to make a Chippewa stop to pick us up ?

Seems like we don't have any bad choices really. And everyone says once we go, we'll be back.

Thanks for any help!

[Tom]

First, welcome to the forum!

Second, tell us a little about your backpacking experience. That will help the members guide recommendations.

Last, just because someone thought it was "least favorite" doesn't mean it's a bad site - It could be awesome, compared to many other parks. It just happens to be an Island with many, many great campsites. With the exception of East Chickenbone (which has a location issue) and Island Mine some times of year (especially if water is low) I really think all the sites are great.
For instance, Three Mile is actually a pretty site, and has things nearby to explore. I think it gets a bum rap because of it's proximity to Rock Harbor, and therefore, more people. However, in mid-May when you plan to go, it could be a quiet camp.

You really can't go wrong with any of the options you list. The Greenstone would give you a great sense of accomplishment, while also showing you the backbone of the Isle. McCargoe to Chippewa is a great hike that, in a short amount of mileage, can really highlight the various types of terrain on the Isle; and the Feldtmann Loop will give you a hybrid of both, with healthy distances between camps, and some ridges and valleys.

As for changing reservations, you need to make those changes with the office before hand, and not with the boat captain. I think you'll find that if done early enough, they're quite accommodating to shift a drop off or pickup location. (You'll need to pay more to get dropped off somewhere else than Windigo, of course.)
Provided you've made the changes, the manifest will already tell Mike (Voyageur II captain) where he needs to pickup and drop-off, and the boat WILL be there on that date. They've been doing this for years...

[jrwiesz]

In three weeks you may still need snowshoes!!!
I'm thinking, the inland lakes, you may be able to ice fish?

West end loops are not bad for initial visit.
Feldtmann Lake, Huginnin Cove, both hard to beat.
Close to Windigo, should the weather turn brutal.

Dress warm, winter kit, extra fuel.

[Tightlines01]

Welcome to the site!

I agree with what Tom says in regards to 3 Mile. Actually I tend to like 3 Mile as you get some Amazing sun rises there.

What you'll notice is many people prefer to be close to superior as opposed to the inland lakes. I like the inland lakes for some things but all in all I tend to like being close to Superior at camp.

The Feltdman loop would be a great first hike and is very enjoyable. The greenstone would be fine and can be done. I'd recommend west Chikenbone vs East.

Enjoy the hike. I'll try to post a quick update on conditions when I get back as I'm going 5/4 - 5/9 this year.

Andy

[desertcanoe]

Lots of great info from you all, thanks.

TOM - we're both experienced backpackers, though I've done a lot more than my wife. Still, she's done Canadian Rockies trips with daily 3000 ft elevation gains and losses so she's no newbie and plenty tough. We're well set up for gear though our ultralight son would say we could stand to lose a few pounds.

Thanks for reminding me that it's all relative on the sites. None of them have a KOA sign, right? How can 3 mile be bad if it's by the lake?

Good to know too about how to change the boat reservation if we decide to. Am I hearing right that could do that when we check in at Grand Marais? Or if we decide far enough ahead we'll discuss it with them by email.

JR - you sure are right about the weather. I don't know what IR got with the latest storm but there could be 2 ft or more of snow in the woods right now. Hoping for a thaw so that at least the trails are clear. We'll pack like it's November.

ANDY - if you have time for a quick update that would be great! Enjoy your trip!

I'm thinking it makes sense to play it by ear for a bit yet. See what happens with the thaw and the weather forecast. Greenstone sounds awesome. And we like to do some work when we travel. But I'm not into re-creating the Donner Party. Feldtman or something around McCargo might be more reasonable.

The packs are loaded and sitting in the living room! Yeah!!!

[Ernest T Bass]

We did the Feldtmann Lake loop last September for our first trip. We did Windigo to Feldtmann Lake, then to Siskiwit Bay, then back to Windigo via the Greenstone. We arrived on a Monday and left on Thursday. There is also the Huginin Cove loop that is not far from Windigo, that I have heard is very nice. I would not have minded staying another day at Siskiwit. I think most people would do the loop in three days, but one could stay at Island Mine and even add on Huginin Cove to expand the number of days you are there. I am not sure what the boat schedule looks like though. Enjoy, and welcome to the forums! This place is a gold mine for information.

Cheers,

ETB

[jerry]

All your choices are good. I really enjoyed the challenge and quiet of the McCargo to Malone Bay hike (did it solo). Went over a day on that trip without talking to anyone but myself. Look forward to your report.

[Jelf]

As you ponder your trip options you can play with this online topo map. Zoom in for the 1:24,000 scale topos.

The link starts Gmap4 and displays the 't6' topos which are from the ESRI. The higher quality 't4' topos are still messed up for part of IR. I will contact the developer that produced those 't4' map tiles and inquire if the problem is fixable.

Online topo centered on the park HQ:
http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.p ... &t=t6&z=12

Gmap4 default map: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php

Gmap4 homepage: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.html

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy