Backpacking Windigo-Rock Harbor, 7 days
EDIT: Don’t reference the mileages between sites in this post because I’ve learned they’re off! We will use a different itinerary from a kind commenter under this post. :-) Thank you everyone!
Long time lurker, first time poster. I’m looking for an itinerary check from all of the seasoned backpackers that have visited the island or even those who have hiked this route before.
My boyfriend and I found out a few summers ago that we prefer backpacking trips together to celebrate our anniversaries instead of fancy dates. We’ve been wanting to go to Isle Royale for a while and finally saved up enough for the seaplane round trip out of Hubbell, which departs mid-August. As college students, it wasn’t easy, but we know it will be worth it.
This will be our second backpacking trip. Our first was the Porcupine Mountains two summers ago, which was amazing, and ambitious for first timers. I definitely feel like it prepared us well for Isle Royale, with some days having 15+ mile stretches and intense elevation changes. It definitely taught us how to ration our water. Both of us are in good shape and generally feel confident in our hiking skills.
We will each be lugging 30-40 lbs. in our packs, with the food in mine (so it gets lighter throughout the trip).
Day 1: Seaplane out of Hubbell, MI -> Windigo
We land in Windigo around 5pm (tried to book an earlier flight but it was full) so we’re restricted on where to camp that night. We will also fill up all our water receptacles from the potable water spigots here. I’ve heard the Washington Creek Campground (0.3 mi from where we land) is nice. I am really hoping to spot some moose in this area, and based on what I’ve read in this Reddit, chances are higher here. If you have any advice/locations at all to recommend, I am literally all ears.
Day 2: Windigo -> Island Mine Campground via Greenstone Ridge Trail (11.9 mi)
A big priority for us on this trip was to see as many of the historical sites as possible (as well as the beautiful scenery), so the Island Mine seemed interesting. I don’t know much about it. The plan is to stay in the Island Mine Campground.
Day 3: Island Mine -> McCargoe Cove via Greenstone Ridge Trail and Minong Mine Spur (11.2 mi)
I’m kind of hesitant about the Minong because I’ve read it can be unreliable with varying water levels/upkeep of the trail, but we aren’t planning on being on it long. I wanted to hike along the ridge with the views of Lake Desor before taking the spur trail toward McCargoe Cove. I’ve read there are more mining ruins here. I also don’t know much about it. Big thing is I wanted to fill up on Lake Superior water here. Treat it, obviously. Then camp in McCargoe Cove Campground.
Day 4: McCargoe Cove -> Daisy Farm via West Chickenbone Trail, Greenstone Ridge Trail, and Mt. Ojibway Trail (8.2 mi)
We’ll pass West Chickenbone Lake (moose?) and later I wanted to climb the Mt. Ojibway Fire Tower. Another opportunity to fill up on water off the dock of Daisy Farm from Lake Superior. Then we could stay in the Daisy Farm Campground, which has kind of earned a negative rep on this Reddit from what I’ve read. Don’t know much about it. Open to ideas.
Day 5: Daisy Farm -> Moskey Basin via Rock Harbor Trail (3.9 mi), optional day hike up to Mt. Franklin
Shorter trail. Really excited for Moskey Basin, I know it’s beautiful. Because it’s a shorter hike day, I was also considering a day hike up to Mt. Franklin. No clue if it’s worth it or not. We’re bringing fishing poles so we could also fish the day away. We would stay in the Moskey Basin Campground that night.
Day 6: Moskey Basin -> Rock Harbor via Rock Harbor Trail or Tobin Harbor Trail (~10 mi)
We’ll need to leave really early in the morning for this one because we wanted to arrive in Rock Harbor no later than noon. Reason being I have this dream of catching our dinner in Lake Superior and having it cooked in the Lighthouse Restaurant. I’ve read that the Tobin Harbor Trail is pretty straightforward and easy so if time is slipping we can switch over for the last 3 miles. We recently turned 21 so we’re excited to enjoy a good dinner and drinks on our last night on the island. My boyfriend loves otters and I’ve heard there are some that like to hang out by the docks in Rock Harbor so we’ll definitely spend time there. That night we would camp in the Rock Harbor Campground.
Day 7: Day Trip to Scoville Point via Stoll Memorial Trail (4.2 mi loop) then Rock Harbor -> Hubbell
I read there are more mining pits by the bluffs here and considered it might be worth the short day hike. We fly out at 3pm this day so we do have wiggle room in the morning.
Other questions:
- Because we land around 4pm on our first day, how will it go with meeting with rangers when we arrive/permit situation? Are we able to purchase our permits beforehand? I did research online but honestly I’m still kind of confused.
- With my favorite animal being moose, a big reason I’m so excited for this trip is I’ve never seen one before. Obviously still keeping our distance, are there any standout locations we can be more likely to spot them?
- Water?
- When it comes to shelters, we’re prepared to never get one because I know they’re hard to secure, but is there a specific time we can aim to be in by at campgrounds that give us a better chance at staying in one?
- It’s to my understanding that you need a fishing license for Lake Superior waters but don’t need one for inland lakes. We’re bringing two collapsible rods and lures and hooks without barbs, any advice on locations on the island that you know are great? Also, what are we likely to catch off of Rock Harbor docks (given we purchase fishing licenses for that day)?
- Any general info on swimming on the island would be appreciated. I hate leeches and if you told me there aren’t any locations I would feel comfortable swimming in, then I’m not going to get in.
- Do we need to buy locks for food lockers? Generally how does it go with feeling safe leaving gear at a campsite unattended for a few hours?
- In the same vein, how is it with seclusion on the island? Our first trip in the Porkies was honestly pretty desolate and we didn’t see many people on the actual trails, and campsites were really spread out. I guess I’m just curious about the culture.
Thank you so much for reading this, I’m excited for this trip and am really interested in the information I’ll get from this post. If any of my text is wrong or inaccurate, please let me know. If you’ll be there mid-late August, maybe we’ll see you around!