r/isleroyale • u/thereisnoopepesilvia • 6d ago
Backpacking Isle Royale 6 Day Trip Report
August 23-28th we hiked 45 miles from Windigo on the Minong Ridge and took the Indian Portage Trail to drop down to Chippewa Harbor.
During that time we saw 2 moose, a fox, a whole bunch of otters, beavers, loons, eagles, and heard owls hooting in the distance while Northern Lights and the Milky Way soared overhead at night during the New Moon Phase.
Temps were dropping at night/mornings to a brisk 50 degrees, and daytime temps were low to mid 60s. Perfect hiking weather, but chilly camp time. Only rained on us when we already had the tent set up or were in a shelter. Bugs weren’t really bad at all. I never used my spray or head net. Trails were muddy and there were some tricky parts on the Minong between the 2nd and 3rd beaver dam head to North Lake Desor from Windigo. Otherwise pretty smooth sailing!
Day 1 2 hour ferry from Grand Portage, MN to Windigo Windigo to North Lake Desor - 12.53m Stayed at site #2, first campground I’ve ever had to myself on Isle Royale. Finally experienced solitude out there.
Day 2 North Lake Desor to Todd Harbor - 11.11m Stayed at site #2
Day 3 Todd Harbor to West Chickenbone Lake - 9.65m Stayed at site #4
Day 4 West Chickenbone Lake to Moskey Basin - 6.19m Stayed at Shelter #3
Day 5 Moskey Basin to Chippewa Harbor - 6.23m Stayed at Shelter #2
Day 6 5 hour ferry from Chippewa Harbor to Grand Portage.
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u/losthiker68 6d ago
I'm planning a similar first two days (leaving via Rock Harbor). How long did it take from the time you stepped off the boat until you were on the trail? I've done longer hikes on steeper terrain but that late start on day 1 concerns me.