End to end trip which direction?

[Donk_67]

So my buddy backed out of our planned trip. since it's down to just me and my son, flying over from Houghton becomes closer in price vs driving the extra 600 mile round trip to Grand Portage. This also makes the idea of hiking the lenght of the isle more viable. I know I want to hike the feldtman trail and not just the Greenstone. My question is which end to start at (Windigo or Rock Harbor) and why?

[Donk_67]

Flying over gives me an extra day too!

Searching the map...again I'm thinking something like this:
8/15 fly from houghton to Windigo. Camp at Feldtmann 8.8 miles
8/16.. Siskiwit Bay 10.3 miles
8/17 South Lake Desor 9.9 miles
8/18 Todd Harbor 11.6 miles (long day)
8/19 McCargo 6.6 miles (Minong Trail)
8/20 Moskey Basin 8.6 miles
8/21 Lane Cove 11.1 miles (have to backtrack, but I Really want to see)
8/22 Daisy Farm 7.2 miles
8/23 Rock Harbor 7.1 miles
8/24 fly out

[tree rattt]

Hey there, looks like a good trip.I did a similar one last year. Feldtman, greenstone to moskey then out at chippewa.

First time out?
The advice I found here was to hit the Feldman loop first, it have some of the biggest ahhhaa views and moments of my trip.It really set the bug!I also thought moskey was pretty cool too .We didnt head over to the minong though, we went up and did some bush wacking up on the greenstone ridge.some of the views up there once you get off trail are breathtaking! Around mount siskiwit you get some splendid views of todd harbor, canada and some of the eastern side of the island.we just decided to leave the minong for another trip.if this is your first run, there is something in the water that will make you come back.if you have been there before then too late ,you allready have isle royal syndrome!

Jason

[MikeT]

I'm not really sure there is a "best direction". I tend to like doing it from Rock Harbor to Windigo for two reasons:
1) It is a gradual rise going east to west and building as you get closer to Windigo
2) There are usually more people on the east end and it seems like you are walking into more of a wilderness feel as you go west.

Throwing the Feldtmann in changes this though. You will be missing that long stretch going up from Windigo to Island Mine.

Your itinerary looks doable, but I think it may be pushing it too hard and you do not have any days off. I would make sure you are flexible based on how you and your son are both doing. You do not want to turn it into a death march

[Tightlines01]

Mike had both of my suggestions (probably because he's been on the island so many times). I've really enjoyed a zero day as I get onto the isle. There's just something nice about a day you know you can rest and lay around or hike to some scenery without having to set up and break camp.

I like your itinerary, but would would probably skip Lane cove to give you a zero day.

If I was doing your trip, I'd do it Rock to Windigo mostly because I prefer to get away from the people a bit more as I'm on the island, instead of ending with more people. East of Hatchet Lake/Todd Harbor you'll likely see at least twice as many people during peak season.

You'll like the sea plane. It gives you so much flexibility in your itinerary.

Andy

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Donk_67]

Mike, Tightlines: thanks for your input, I like your idea of having a zero day but was under the impression I could change my itinerary on the fly if we're having a rough time. Last year I was in a group, so we had to stick to the schedule...do the rangers require you to stay on schedule even in less than group size? I do understand the concept of needing all souls to be accounted for (tho, the system failed me last year when my wife had to bail early and the rangers didn't record her departure to the mainland, causing all kinds of stress for me when I checked with the rangers).

Our intitial plan was for Windigo end this year so that's why my revised plan starts at Windigo; easily inverted because nothing's set in stone. The slow departure from crowds has merit...tho my experience last year was positive in regards to other people. I'm actually going to hand the map and milage chart to my son and see what his ideal hike will be.

We might even use a water taxi from Rock Harbour to Lookout Louise to start our trip.

Yes Jason, the bug has definitely bit me and I have the Isle Royale syndrome.

[Gimp]

I've taken the float plane into Windigo and flown out of Tobin Harbor twice. I've made reservations to do it again this summer with my daughter and niece. The idea of a beer and a burger (vs. a sandwich in Windigo as good as it may be) at the Rock Harbor lodge is just too much of an incentive to pass up. Plus, after a long trip, I like to people watch around Rock Harbor while resting my weary feet. It's funny that when I arrive on the ferry at Rock Harbor with several dozen other people I can't wait to hit the trail and get away from them. Coming from the other direction, I've gotten rid of that itch to hit the trail, and find that I actually enjoy watching people off load with an about to depart on an adventure look, and then watching people board the ferry to return with an exhausted but fulfilled expression exhibited by their gate, and in their faces.

On my first float plane trip I ended up with 2 1/2 day unexpected stay in Rock Harbor due to a sever lake storm that disrupted float plane and ferry schedules. Having the well stocked Rock Harbor store and dining facilities available (not to mention the fireplace at the lodge) made that a lot more tolerable. If I'd been stranded at Windigo I think that stay would have been a bit more challenging.

[Donk_67]

Good point Gimp. This is exactly what I was hoping for; opinions from other people to help me weigh the pros and cons.

[Tightlines01]

You can change your itinerary if your group is 6 or less. Groups of 7 or more must stick to Group sites and your desiganted itinerary.

Just gets down to your preferences on how "Populated" you like it at the end. To each your own an if you like to. Sounds like that works good for you Gimp. I will say a shower and clean clothes in Rock Harbor is sweeter than anything else after a week on the trail.

[Lucky Chicken]

If I remember right from a video of the Windigo store last year, you can get beer there now too.... at least that is what I am hoping for on our west end trip

[Ingo]

If I remember right from a video of the Windigo store last year, you can get beer there now too.... at least that is what I am hoping for on our west end trip

Yes you can .

[Tightlines01]

If I remember right from a video of the Windigo store last year, you can get beer there now too.... at least that is what I am hoping for on our west end trip

Yes you can .

Tell me it's Keewenaw Brewing Company (like in Rock Harbor) and you'll make my day. Heck who am I kidding, even a cold PBR will taste pretty sweet after several days on the trail.

[srparr]

If I remember right from a video of the Windigo store last year, you can get beer there now too.... at least that is what I am hoping for on our west end trip

Yes, they had beer there last August.

[jrwiesz]

Flying over gives me an extra day too!

Searching the map...again I'm thinking something like this:
8/15 fly from houghton to Windigo. Camp at Feldtmann 8.8 miles
8/16.. Siskiwit Bay 10.3 miles
8/17 South Lake Desor 9.9 miles
8/18 Todd Harbor 11.6 miles (long day)
8/19 McCargo 6.6 miles (Minong Trail)
8/20 Moskey Basin 8.6 miles
8/21 Lane Cove 11.1 miles (have to backtrack, but I Really want to see)
8/22 Daisy Farm 7.2 miles
8/23 Rock Harbor 7.1 miles
8/24 fly out

Donk_67

My suggested change to your itinerary would be to hike Moskey Basin to Daisy Farm; camp at Daisy Farm in one of the shelters nearest to the Ojibway Tower trail, next morning hike to the Tower on your way to Lane Cove, you eliminate the backtracking, the views from Ojibway tower and at Mt. Franklin are definite "not to be missed" views.

Other suggestions:
Take the short hike to Rainbow Cove from Feldtmann Lake after setting up camp at Feldtmann, that is if the weather is good and your timing allows. The sunset from Rainbow Cove can be magnificent, and in August the raspberries might be outstanding(2009 trip I picked handful after handful without having to move my feet).

Perhaps a hike to Lookout Louise coming out of Lane Cove on your way to Rock Harbor; stash your packs in the forest off the trail somewhere near the Greenstone/Lane Cove/Rock Harbor junction, take your camera, some water and snacks/lunch, another view you will be glad you detoured to. Without the heavy packs you can make this trip in relatively short time, maybe even hike down to Monument rock while you are there.

I will comment that you have a pretty aggressive itinerary in place; if you come to the Isle with your "hiking legs", you should be fine. So start hiking, with some weight, at home prior to the trip and you will be able to make the most of your adventure.

[JerryB]

As many have already noted, you have an aggressive itinerary. Of course, it is doable, but I would encourage you to cut back on it considerably. At a minimum, add a couple of no-travel days. Better, do so and eliminate portions of your trip. In my experience, Isle Royale is better experienced in more manageable chunks. Whatever you do, stop and eat the thimbleberries (and blueberries and rasberries and fish,...).