First time on IR, want some extra eyes on itinerary!

[u/Akirax2019]

My partner and I will be backpacking on the east side of the island, this is our first backpacking trip and first time on the island. Wanted to get some extra eyes on our prospective route, looking for any critiques or tips. Also if yall got any pointers for some first timers and things we should check out along our route that would be cool too, much appreciated.

We're avid campers and hikers and got our pack lists pretty much nailed down, definitely bringing lots of bug spray, head nets, and we've got bearvaults. We'll get there on August 9th so hopefully the bugs will be less bad.

Day 1: Arrive at Rock Harbor via ferry from Copper Harbor. Set up camp in RH, do the Stoll Trail day-hike. Gonna eat dinner at the Greenstone Grill.

Day 2. Rock Harbor to Lane Cove (6.9 miles).

Day 3. Big Day! Lane Cove to East Chickenbone (11.2 miles). I already know what people are gonna say about East Chickenbone but it can't be THAT bad, right???

Day 4. East Chickenbone to Lake Richie (5 miles). Wanted this to be a lower mileage day after the big day prior.

Day 5. Lake Richie to Moskey Basin (2.1 miles) My birthday, wanted to mosey into Moskey early, get a shelter, chill out, and swim.

Day 6. Moskey Basin to Three Mile (8.1 miles)

Day 7. Three Mile to Rock Harbor (2.7 miles) Catch ferry back to Copper Harbor.

[u/Objective-Resort2325]

Another alternate:

Day 3: Lane Cove to Daisy Farm: 6.5 miles

Day 4: Daisy Farm to Moskey Basin: 3.8 mile

Day 5: Layover, with a side hike to Lake Richie and back

Day 6: Moskey Basin to Three Mile: 7.8 miles

[u/restinghermit → u/Objective-Resort2325]

This is a good alternative. I know Daisy Farm can get crowded, and its messed up because of the Beavers, but my family enjoyed it. And it is definitely better than East Chickenbone.

Spending an extra day at Moskey, and doing the day hike to Lake Richie is a nice idea as well.

[u/Objective-Resort2325 → u/restinghermit]

Yeah, but it's got like 16 shelters.

[u/Objective-Resort2325]

Personally I would do the following:

Day 3: Lane cove to Moskey Basin - 10.1 miles

Day 4: Moskey Basin to McCargoe Cove - 8.3 miles

Day 5: McCargoe Cove to Daisy Farm - 8 miles

Day 6: Daisy Farm to Three Mile - 3.9 miles

[u/Accomplished_Ad_755 → u/Objective-Resort2325]

Definitely agree with any itinerary that includes McCargoe Cove. It’s beautiful!

OP if you decide to do Chickenbone, just make sure you have a plan for your water. I don’t recommend trying to make water out of anything that you pull out of that lake. Seriously! Learn from my mistakes OP! You don’t need to suffer!

SELF-CORRECTION: it’s been a few years so I just looked back on a map and realized that I confused McCargoe Cove with Chippewa Harbor. Chippewa Harbor is beautiful. My memory of McCargoe Cove is that it’s fine but not outstanding.

[u/Charming-Head2110]

Returned from trip in mid July. Stayed at Lane Cove, Moskey Basin and McCargoe Cove. All three campsites are great. Just an FYI the Indian Portage trail from Moskey Basin to the Greenstone Ridge trail has many segments of washed out board walks. It is helpful to have walking poles and be prepared for getting wet feet