Isle Royale Forums

Hello! I am backpacking solo, end of July or early August. Here is what I am thinking:
Day 1: Arrive Rock Harbor on the ferry (before noon); pre-arrange a water taxi to Hidden lake Dock up to Lookout Louise, then hike to Lane Cove (8+ miles)
Day 2: Hike back to the Greenstone Ridge Trail to East Chickenbone (11+ miles) or another 2+ miles to McCargoe Cove
Day 3: to Moskey Basin via Indian Portage Trail past Lake Ritchie (8+ miles)
Day 4: to Threemile (~8+ miles)
Day 5: Back to Rock Harbor / dayhike to Scoville Point then ferry back to Cooper Harbor in the afternoon.

I have never been there, backpack lots of other places, a few times a year, looking forward to it. Always postponed for timing due to how long it take to get there and back(!) Any problems that yo can see with this plan? Thanks!

Welcome to the forums!
Looks like a good itinerary. Some comments:
Day 1: That is a good plan. Lookout Louise is well worth seeing. The hike up from Hidden Lake is steep gaining over 250', but once there, the trail going west is pretty mellow although thick that time of year and, if it has rained at all, the brush will be wet. It will be kind of a long day because of the late start getting off the boat.
Day 2: the hardest part will be climbing out of Lane Cove. Once out, it is relatively easy, but will be a long day again. I would skip Chickenbone East for sure and go on to Chickenbone West unless you decide to go to McCargoe. Chickenbone East campground is not the greatest and water access there is a royal pain! Chickenbone West is an easy walk from there and well worth it. Plus, you will be closer to Moskey for the next day. I imagine you will want an easy day after the first two.
Day 3: Moskey is one of my favorites! Richie is a great lunch stop.
Day 4: Will be a little rough, but very doable.
Day 5: a good plan and nice and easy. If you want it to be very easy, take the Tobin Harbor trail back as the Rock Harbor trail between Three Mile and RH is tough. However, it is beautiful and offers great views.

You have a lot of options along that route if you do not want to do those first two long days. For instance, on day 2, you can go down to Daisy Farm if you do not want to go all the way to the Chickenbones.

Good luck!

Thanks for the insight. I like the idea of West Chickenbone instead, I like to fish and I see that there may be some shore fishing opportunities there as well as the lakes south the next day toward Moskey. Sounds liek that is a nice place to camp from several reports. And thanks for the insight about the Tobin Harbor side instead the last day. Good to know! I wasn't sure about being able to make the ferry and a water taxi and 8 mile hike all on the same day. I hope the taxi (and weather!) is reliable. This is a weird year for weather. Thank you again -
Nick