TR: 8/9-8/15/13 [RH-3 Mile-Moskey-Chippewa] video link
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 3:03 pm
We were fortunate to make the trip to Isle Royale for the first time last August. Our route was the North Shore to Grand Portage, across on the Voyageur II to Windigo, and then around to our start at Rock Harbor. There were drop off stops at McCargoe Cove, Belle Isle, and the Tobin Harbor mail call dock, so we had about a 7 hour boat ride from start to finish. The waters were calm and we had a great time anticipating our arrival.
Once at Rock Harbor, we repacked, topped our waters off, used the facilities and heading off down the Tobin Harbor Trail. We chose Tobin Harbor Trail based on trip reports from others saying the Rock Harbor trail was more difficult, and we wanted to make time to 3 Mile as we got a later start. The Tobin Harbor Trail was beautiful, wooded and relatively flat. The further we went from Rock Harbor the less traffic it appeared to have seen. We did take the cut over trail to Suzy's Cave, and then down to the Rock Harbor Trail. It was more difficult, with more topography and rocks/boulders in the trail. It was gorgeous though. First night was spent in 3 Mile.
Second day, we hiked from 3 Mile to Moskey Basin. We stopped at Daisy Farm for lunch where there was a replica canoe there for the evening program. We joked about taking it for a ride over to the Peterson's camp to see the bone yard but of course that was just in fun. We continued on to Moskey Basin, which was our favorite camp. We stayed there the next two nights.
The third day, the boys went fishing off the beaten path around Lake Richie and had a blast catching northern pike from shore. The gals caught the show of a family of otters fishing in the morning, and took a 13 mile round trip hike up to Ojibway Tower and back. We chose the Daisy Farm Trail on the way up to the Greenstone, and took the Mount Ojibway Trail back. We preferred the Daisy Farm Trail, especially the bog/wetland area the boardwalk goes through where we saw blue flag iris, purple fringed orchid and pitcher plant. It rained and was a little windy on our way up to Ojibway Tower but by the time we hit the Greenstone it was mostly done.
That night, back at Moskey Basin, we were treated to the generous act of boater kindness as our entire camp was invited down to the dock for fresh caught grilled salmon, fresh veggies, beer and wine. The camp fox graced us with his/her presence and caught a deer mouse for dinner as we looked on.
Day four we left Moskey for Chippewa Harbor. We stayed our last two nights at Chippewa Harbor and explored the area. The boys fished Lake Mason and got to see a moose on their way back. Seeing the Chippewa Harbor schoolhouse in person was a treat to history after reading the schoolhouse diary prior to the trip.
On our last full day, we intended to explore the area, look for moose, and try to reach Epidote Lake if we could bushwhack off the trail. Instead, we were asked if we would care to go sailing…yes!! So we spent several hours out on a sailboat, sailing Chippewa Harbor and out on Lake Superior. It was amazing!
Every night we looked for the northern lights and perseid meteors which were at peak while we were on Isle Royale. We saw many "falling stars" and others on the boat home reported seeing northern lights in the wee hours of the morning.
The trip was everything we had hoped it would be, and so much more. If you'd like to watch the video we compiled of our footage (go pro, photography and underwater), here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr0LsHiOcS0
I hope this trip report and video helps others as they plan and anticipate their Isle Royale Adventures!
Thanks to everyone here for all the wealth of information and we look forward to planning our return trips!
Once at Rock Harbor, we repacked, topped our waters off, used the facilities and heading off down the Tobin Harbor Trail. We chose Tobin Harbor Trail based on trip reports from others saying the Rock Harbor trail was more difficult, and we wanted to make time to 3 Mile as we got a later start. The Tobin Harbor Trail was beautiful, wooded and relatively flat. The further we went from Rock Harbor the less traffic it appeared to have seen. We did take the cut over trail to Suzy's Cave, and then down to the Rock Harbor Trail. It was more difficult, with more topography and rocks/boulders in the trail. It was gorgeous though. First night was spent in 3 Mile.
Second day, we hiked from 3 Mile to Moskey Basin. We stopped at Daisy Farm for lunch where there was a replica canoe there for the evening program. We joked about taking it for a ride over to the Peterson's camp to see the bone yard but of course that was just in fun. We continued on to Moskey Basin, which was our favorite camp. We stayed there the next two nights.
The third day, the boys went fishing off the beaten path around Lake Richie and had a blast catching northern pike from shore. The gals caught the show of a family of otters fishing in the morning, and took a 13 mile round trip hike up to Ojibway Tower and back. We chose the Daisy Farm Trail on the way up to the Greenstone, and took the Mount Ojibway Trail back. We preferred the Daisy Farm Trail, especially the bog/wetland area the boardwalk goes through where we saw blue flag iris, purple fringed orchid and pitcher plant. It rained and was a little windy on our way up to Ojibway Tower but by the time we hit the Greenstone it was mostly done.
That night, back at Moskey Basin, we were treated to the generous act of boater kindness as our entire camp was invited down to the dock for fresh caught grilled salmon, fresh veggies, beer and wine. The camp fox graced us with his/her presence and caught a deer mouse for dinner as we looked on.
Day four we left Moskey for Chippewa Harbor. We stayed our last two nights at Chippewa Harbor and explored the area. The boys fished Lake Mason and got to see a moose on their way back. Seeing the Chippewa Harbor schoolhouse in person was a treat to history after reading the schoolhouse diary prior to the trip.
On our last full day, we intended to explore the area, look for moose, and try to reach Epidote Lake if we could bushwhack off the trail. Instead, we were asked if we would care to go sailing…yes!! So we spent several hours out on a sailboat, sailing Chippewa Harbor and out on Lake Superior. It was amazing!
Every night we looked for the northern lights and perseid meteors which were at peak while we were on Isle Royale. We saw many "falling stars" and others on the boat home reported seeing northern lights in the wee hours of the morning.
The trip was everything we had hoped it would be, and so much more. If you'd like to watch the video we compiled of our footage (go pro, photography and underwater), here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr0LsHiOcS0
I hope this trip report and video helps others as they plan and anticipate their Isle Royale Adventures!
Thanks to everyone here for all the wealth of information and we look forward to planning our return trips!
