Welcome to the forums, jjohnsrud. Thanks for taking time to post.
I've done both those segments, but not as a single trip. This looks like a great trip idea, and one I'm going to have to maybe use for my future trips.
jjohnsrud wrote:
Day 1: Fly into Windigo. Hike Windigo to Feldtmann Lake (8.5)
This starts out as a beautiful hike along the bay, then when you get up on the ridge, you'll see many beautiful vistas of the south part of the island. Once you get off the ridge and back to lake level, the hike is pretty mundane. Be prepared to trip on a lot of roots that zig-zag the trail. Lake Feldtmann is a gorgeous campground, one of my favorite. Try to get the sites right on the lake. Hike all the way through the campground until you come to the trail head before the creek that also splits off into Rainbow Cove. You'll see these wooded sites with a beautiful view, and enjoy the sounds of Feldtmann Lake lapping against the shore all night. Also a moose highway right along here.
jjohnsrud wrote:
Day 2: Feldtmann to Siskiwit Bay (10.3)
This starts out as a tough hike up to the top of the Feldtmann ridge (you saw it yesterday as you hiked to Lake Feldtmann). Once atop the ridge, you'll get some spectacular views. After you come off the ridge, however, the hike is pretty boring until you get into Siskiwit. After getting to the top of the ridge, the hike is easy...at one point, I do believe, you're even hiking a long an old road that went from the old CCC camp at Siskiwit Bay toward the fire tower (if memory serves).
Siskiwit Bay is also one of my favorite campgrounds. I've always been there in the spring, so there's never anyone there. However, in August, it will probably be busier and there will be a few boaters. My favorite past time at Siskiwit Bay is sitting on the picnic table on the dock and watching the sun set behind the Greenstone ridge.
jjohnsrud wrote:
Day 3: Siskiwit to Lake Desor South (9.8 )
Good call on this hike. It's going to be tough-going, but it'll be better than stopping at Island Mine. The second hour of your hike up the hill to the Greenstone will be tough. Along the way, however, you'll be treated to some mine ruins and old cemetery (if you have a good map or a GPS with IR waypoints). It's a nice little break from the slog up to the Greenstone. Once on the Greenstone, it's like a super-highway...wide and flat so you can make good time.
South Lake Desor is an average campground. Nothing too exciting here. Be prepared for lots of bugs. For some reason, the worst bug experiences I've had are on North/South Desor.
jjohnsrud wrote:
Day 4: Lake Desor South to Todd Harbor (11.7)
You've chosen wisely! This hike will have you going *down* the Greenstone into Hatchet Lake. It's a brutal hike *up* the Greenstone from Hatchet Lake. As already mentioned, yes, this hike is along part of the Minong, but not the most difficult section. Most of the hike back along the Greenstone is stuff you've already done, so it will go quick. I enjoy the hike from Hatchet to the Minong trail for some reason. There's a lot of older-growth pines here that I find really pretty.
Todd Harbor is a nice campground. You'll see some gorgeous sunsets here, especially if you hike out to the group sites and sit along the lake (providing there's no one in the group sites). I believe there is also one shelter here, if you get lucky.
jjohnsrud wrote:
Day 5: Todd Harbor to McCargo via the Minong (6.6)
This hike along the Minong gets hairy. Lots of up and downs, and lot of scrambling up and down the rocky ridge. If the rocks are wet, exercise caution and take it slow! be sure to bring lots of water, because there is no water sources until McCargoe.
The hike will be worth it, however, once you get to McCargoe. Again, I've only been here in the spring, so I've never run into the over-population problems others have reported, but August is prime IR season, so you may have lots of boaters and loud neighbors here (especially since it's a drop-off point for the VII). Hopefully you'll have courteous neighbors and be able to enjoy the quiet of McCargoe cove. If it is quiet, you'll see lots of animals, to include otters, moose, and loons. Bring a fishing pole, too...last year a friend caught the biggest northern he ever has hooked into in IR right off the dock.
Fun fact: every time I've stayed at McCargoe Cove, I've seen the northern lights.
jjohnsrud wrote:
Day 6: McCargo to Moskey (10.1)
This is going to be a long hike. The hike to Lake Chickenbone is easy, but immediately after Chickenbone you climb back up on the Greenstone, which is a tough hike. From here, it's a lot of up-and-down along the ridge all the way into Moskey Basin. Be sure your water is full when you leave Chickenbone, as there's little to no water sources until Moskey.
Just like McCargoe cove, though, the hike will be worth it. Moskey Basin is gorgeous! My favorite camp site is the one that's on the point, towards the south end of the camp. I'm not sure how busy Moskey will be in August, however...hopefully someone else can give you a heads-up.
jjohnsrud wrote:
Day 7: Moskey to Daisy (3.9)
This is up-and-down along the side of a ridge, but it's nothing like the previous days' ups-and-downs. Overall, the easiest hike. I'm sure Daisy Farm will be busy in August, so be prepared for that.
jjohnsrud wrote:
Day 8: Daisy to Rock Harbor (7.2)
This starts off as a nice hike along the harbor, but quickly gets annoying as you'll be stumbling along the rocky shore at lake-level. Prepare for Rock Harbor to be BUSY in August. The last (and only) time I was in Rock Harbor was in August, and we had to camp in the group campsites because the main campground was full.
You may want to consider staying at Three Mile. Depending on when your flight is the next day, you could stay at Three Mile and avoid the crowds at Rock Harbor. It's a three mile hike from Three Mile to Rock (so, not just a clever name of a campground), and is flat (but still rocky).
My only concern--and it's just because I don't like being around people when on Isle Royale--is how busy the east side of the island will be in August. If you want to avoid this, you could consider skipping Daisy Farm altogether and staying at Three Mile (you're not missing anything at Daisy). Or, you could do a night in at Lake Richie before Moskey Basin, then go through Daisy to Three Mile two days later.
The Lake Richie campground is panned and praised. It's not much to look at, but I enjoy it. There's great views of the lake, a big comfortable rock to sprawl out and relax on while taking in the lake, and lots of wild life (I've heard wolves howl close by, and was almost trampled by a moose here...true story). The fishing can be good, too.
Some people enjoy meeting other on Isle Royale, so perhaps you will, too. Truthfully, many people on IR end up sharing the same appreciation and excitement for the island as I do, so I end up making more friends than being annoyed with their presence.
You've got a great trip planned. You're experiencing the whole island, essentially: the west side (Feldtmann Loop, and my favorite part), the north side (McCargoe/Indian Portage trail) and the East Side (Rock Harbor). You'll go through three of the islands varying climates and terrains, too. Keep us posted on your final itinerary, and when you return from your trip, please share a trip report and some pictures.
