Isle Royale Forums

This summer I'm returning for a second trip, and we've created the following itinerary:

Day 00: Hike to Three Mile
Day 01: Hike to Moskey Basin
Day 02: Stay at Moskey Basin
Day 03: Hike to Chippewa Harbor
Day 04: Stay at Chippewa Harbor
Day 05: Hike to McCargoe Cove
Day 06: Hike to Todd Harbor
Day 07: Stay at Todd Harbor
Day 08: Hike to Little Todd Harbor
Day 09: Hike to North Lake Desor
Day 10: Hike to Windigo; rent canoes; row to Beaver Island
Day 11: Return to Windigo; hike to Feldtmann Lake
Day 12: Hike to Siskiwit Bay
Day 13: Stay at Siskiwit Bay
Day 14: Hike to South Lake Desor
Day 15: Hike to Malone Bay
Day 16: Stay at Malone Bay
Day 17: Stay at Malone Bay
Day 18: Return to Grand Portage

Everything past Todd Harbor is new to me, and I'd love to hear from you about that part of the island.

We're arriving in late May, before Memorial Day.

Looks like a great trip with plenty of flexibility. One thing you should probably check with the Rock Harbor Lodge concessions, I'm not sure they allow overnight rentals of canoes, even if it is just to Beaver Island.

That is quite a trip! The Mining Ridge--that part of the trip new to you--is considered the most difficult trail on the island. It can be treacherous in the rain, especially between Little Todd and N Desor. It would be good to have a layover day I case of wet weather. Check out the trip reports on the Minong. Lots of good information there.

Midwest Ed: Good idea--will be checking.

JerryB: We're pretty flexible--other than Chippewa Harbor on day 4, Windigo on day 11, and Malone Bay on day 18, nothing is set in stone.

It wasn't deliberate, but I'm glad that we'll have a few miles under our belts before Little Todd Harbor.

Three of us are going for the entire trip. Two are starting the trip with us and leaving at Chippewa Harbor, and two more will meet us at Windigo for the remainder.

The days grow less, and the excitement builds!

Get an early start out of N Desor, if possible.

Sounds like a great outing. Enjoy.

Midwest Ed wrote:Looks like a great trip with plenty of flexibility. One thing you should probably check with the Rock Harbor Lodge concessions, I'm not sure they allow overnight rentals of canoes, even if it is just to Beaver Island.

Turns out to be a moot point: Windigo store and marina don't open until June 7, which is a few days after we plan to be there. So no Beaver Island, and no showers. Alas.

To reiterate what others have said, you don't want to have a foot race on the Minong. The Minong is a technical trail and wet weather can make it even more difficult. The stretch between NLD and Windigo, even going downhill, will be a long day on difficult terrain.

With that being said, Little Todd is a very scenic campground (and my favorite on the island).

Good luck!