r/isleroyale • u/Iwashere95 • 16d ago
Backpacking Yet another trip report
Excuse the formatting I am on mobile. Also the grammar English is my first language I just suck at using it.
Arrived at Grand Portage on 8/20. I used Arrowhead Transit from Duluth to get to Grand Marais the previous day, and a nice lady on Facebook took me to Grand Portage for $80 the next morning. Superior Shuttle Service wanted $195 for the same trip. TooknVoyager II to Windigo. Arrived on the island at approximately 0930 and started hiking at 1020.
My route was from Windgo to N. Desor along the Minong trail for night one. Probably the hardest day, with lots of elevation change combined with overgrowth obscuring the trail. Some sections were flooded, but I always found a way to stay dry. N. Desor only had one other group of two when I arrived at 1530 The night was clear with beautiful stars.
The next day at 0700, I continued to McCargo Cove along the Minog. The same trail characteristics as Day 1, but the trail changes to more leveled, tree-covered hiking past Little Todd. It almost felt like a different trail when I passed the turn for L.T. I had lunch when I got to Tood Harbor I wished I could have spent the night at Todd Harbor; it looked so nice and inviting, and the trail went straight through it. McCargo Cove was alright; I arrived at 1830, and although it was fairly crowded, I found a spot up the incline to the individual sites. It rained overnight.
On day three, I started hiking at 07:20 to E. Chickenbone, then joined the Greenstone Trail and made my way down to Daisy and Three Mile Campsites before arriving at Rock Harbor at approximately 18:00. I enjoyed a meal at the grill, and a nice family let me share their campsite. It was quite full, and I couldn't find an empty site.
Day four, I took the Ranger III to Houghton. The ferry departed an hour early due to bad weather, and a ranger was going through the campgrounds the night before, letting people know. Rough seas ,a lot of people vomited , including myself, even despite taking Dramamine.
Overall, this was my 51st National Park out of the main 63. I would rate it a 6.5/10. Definitely bring the DEET , the miles are hard due to the bushwhacking and I caught conflicting info on the streams water being safe to filter. So I only filtered from Lake Superior ( Katadyn BeFree FTW ) .
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u/KodiakSnake 14d ago
How on earth did you stay dry in that one swampy spot between windigo and north desor. You must be incredible at finding a log to cross on.
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u/Iwashere95 14d ago
I know exactly the spot you're talking about. I was swinging on tree branches and making some leaps of faith.
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u/mushluvs 11d ago
I also know the exact spot you mention. Hiking poles this time saved me as one foot balanced on any non submerged surface. Don't know how people are balancing across without poles.
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u/Initial-Engineer-410 14d ago
I think i was on the ferry with you out of grand portage into windigo. Glad to hear you had a good trip! Yes, the trails felt like bushwacking through the jungle at times.
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u/mushluvs 11d ago
Did you see any moose?
I did pretty much the same route a few weeks ago and was also slightly disappointed. I don't think this island is best experienced hiking from side to the other in a direct route. I went last year doing circular routes along more intimate camping sites and it was a better experience. Hiking from end to end in a straight route is definitely going to be a 6.5/10.
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u/Decent_Finding_9034 15d ago
We'll be about a week behind you timing-wise and I'm just curious what the bugs were like last week. I've been once before, but it was mid-July and that's a very different time of year than now. Thanks!