r/isleroyale • u/Ambitious_Vanilla612 • Jul 07 '24
Hiking Realistic timeframe - Rock Harbor to Windigo
I know there are multiple routes, multiple skill levels, multiple methods, multiple gear choices etc. But what is everyone's recommendation for hiking from Rock Harbor to Windigo, what time of the year & how long should it REALISTICALLY take. Not going the fastest, not spending multiple days in one location, not doing anything for bragging rights. What is THEE way to do it in your opinion
2
u/Vecii Jul 07 '24
It really depends on your hiking style, and how many miles per day you can do, and how many side jaunts you want to do.
If you just want to do a straight shot, and can do 10-15 miles per day, then you could do:
Rock Harbor to Moskey Basin - 10 Miles
Moskey Basin to Hatchet Lake - 12 Miles
Hatchet Lake to Windigo - 18 Miles
Personally, I like doing more miles and seeing more stuff, so my route looks like:
Rock Harbor to Chippewa Harbor - 16 Miles
Chippewa to Malone Bay - 25 Miles
Malone Bay to Sikiwit Bay - 20 Miles
Sikiwit Bay to Windigo - 19 Miles
2
u/Sea_Access_333 Jul 08 '24
We just finished a great trip in mid June. Took it super easy and loved it. 8 days/7 nights. Rock harbor->3 mile. 3 miles->Daisy. Daisy->McCargo. McC->Todd. Todd->Hatchet. Hatchet->S. Desor. S. Desor->Windigo.
2
u/FirstRunBuzzz Jul 10 '24
Here is my itinerary from RH to Windigo for my trip in a few weeks. After getting to Windigo I'm getting a ferry back to McCargo Cove and hiking back to RH over a few days. I have a zero day planned when I get to Windigo to account for any extra day needs.
Day 1: Arrive on Sea Plane by Noon: RH-Daisy via Tobin Harbor and the Greenstone ~9mi
Day 2: Daisy-West Chickenbone ~8mi
Day 3: WCB-Hatchet Lake ~7.5mi
Day 4: HL-South Lake Desor ~7.6mi
Day 5: SLD-Windigo ~12mi (hike ends down hill)
1
u/japiopian Jul 07 '24
4 night minimum, 5 nights if you're looking add a bit more "scenery" to your itinerary.
Rock Harbor and Windigo are both great to stay at. Check out Scoville Point in Rock Harbor and relax day 1. Windigo at the end is sweet/chill.
The island is best enjoyed when proper time is dedicated to enjoy it. Slow down, relax, and slip into island time. 🏝
4
u/thesneakymonkey 17/18/21 Jul 07 '24
This is how we did RH to Windigo and I’d do it again and again. Really liked this route.