Isle Royale Forums

I'm planning a trip to Isle Royale leaving from Grand Portage on September 25th. I will need to return to Grand Portage on Thursday the 29th. Curious to know what routes folks would recommend.

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to being a part of the community.

Heidi

Welcome to the Isle Royale Forums. You did not mention your experience level and/or physical conditioning.

Welcome!

To maximize your time on the island, consider the Feldtmann Loop. You can either stay at Island Mine (might be beautiful colors then, but be sure the creek is running) or tack on Hugginin Cove. It is a great route and will give you some wonderful views and camp sites.

IncaRoads wrote:Welcome to the Isle Royale Forums. You did not mention your experience level and/or physical conditioning.

I will be hiking with one other person. Both of us are experienced backpackers but neither of us have been to Isle Royale.

Like Jerry, I think the Feldtmann Loop is the obvious choice. The only other practical option, since you'll have to start from Windigo, would be Windigo to Rock Harbor on the Greenstone--that would be more aggressive, but doable. Personally, the Feldtmann Loop is on my to do list, but somehow I usually end up paddling.

The ferry doesn't continue to Rock Harbor?

I would definitely prefer the Feldtmann Loop to the full Greenstone trip. Just my preference.

fargodog wrote:The ferry doesn't continue to Rock Harbor?

That time of year they run a reduced schedule. On weekends they just go to/from Windigo. From their website http://isleroyaleboats.com/schedule.asp:
"September 21, 2016 - October 6, 2016: Outbound trips to island on Wednesday; Inbound trips from island on Thursday; Saturdays and Sundays back and forth to Windigo each day and depart Grand Portage at 8am and Windigo at 1pm."

Ingo wrote:

fargodog wrote:The ferry doesn't continue to Rock Harbor?

That time of year they run a reduced schedule. On weekends they just go to/from Windigo. From their website http://isleroyaleboats.com/schedule.asp:
"September 21, 2016 - October 6, 2016: Outbound trips to island on Wednesday; Inbound trips from island on Thursday; Saturdays and Sundays back and forth to Windigo each day and depart Grand Portage at 8am and Windigo at 1pm."

Thanks for the heads up.

Another vote for the Feldtmann Loop, with a side trip to Rainbow Cove for a sunset.

hooky wrote:Another vote for the Feldtmann Loop, with a side trip to Rainbow Cove for a sunset.

Thanks for the suggestion. Im going to look into this Rainbow Cove, sounds very nice.

fargodog wrote:

hooky wrote:Another vote for the Feldtmann Loop, with a side trip to Rainbow Cove for a sunset.

Thanks for the suggestion. Im going to look into this Rainbow Cove, sounds very nice.

You're welcome. It's just a little spur trail from Feldtmann Lake. Flat and a quick hike without a pack.

hooky wrote:

fargodog wrote:

hooky wrote:Another vote for the Feldtmann Loop, with a side trip to Rainbow Cove for a sunset.

Thanks for the suggestion. Im going to look into this Rainbow Cove, sounds very nice.

You're welcome. It's just a little spur trail from Feldtmann Lake. Flat and a quick hike without a pack.

The best place for raspberries in late August/early September. IMHO, YMMV.

jrwiesz wrote:

hooky wrote:

fargodog wrote:
Thanks for the suggestion. Im going to look into this Rainbow Cove, sounds very nice.

You're welcome. It's just a little spur trail from Feldtmann Lake. Flat and a quick hike without a pack.

The best place for raspberries in late August/early September. IMHO, YMMV.

Uff-Da!

If you walk along the beach pay attention to the location where you entered the cove. Depending on the state of the vegetation, it can be difficult to find the trail head.