Ok, I answered one question already. The distance charts are in Mike's book.

Now another question: I think I read somewhere (I've gotta do a better job bookmarking this stuff!) that camping along the lakeshore of inland lakes is permitted, that you don't have to stay at a campground. Is this ...

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I'm thinking Chippewa would be a better starting point, removing the Siskiwit variable. A little more portaging, though. Not a big fan of portaging. So Chippewa>Whittlesey>Wood> Intermediate>Ritchie in: then hike; then reverse out.
Another option would be to portage up ...

Hi all, newbie here. Planning first trip to IR (late July or early August). I'd like to combine canoe & backpacking. I'm 55, fit outdoorsman, with 3 daughters (23,18,15) also very fit.
Does this sound reasonable?
Dropped off at Malone Bay, we canoe to Lake Ritchie (2-3 days) . Leave canoes and small ...