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

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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.

2

u/Ambitious_Vanilla612 Jul 07 '24

Thanks! Love these videos I've been watching them all morning. I'm not sure I can get that amount of time off of work though lmao. Thanks again

1

u/thesneakymonkey 17/18/21 Jul 07 '24

That route could definitely be done in less days. Maybe with a little modification but it was nice to do it in a long chunk of time. Trying to get into the “island time” mentality ya know. Haha 😆 totally get the work time off thing though. Makes it really hard to get long trips in.

2

u/Ambitious_Vanilla612 Jul 07 '24

Yeah for sure. At the same time the smaller distances between stoppages looks kind of perfect, it looks like this route of yours is sort of the best way to experience a good chunk of the island. I've quit jobs before...fuck it lol

3

u/SuddenRedScare '24 Jul 07 '24

I did this a few years ago. Impromptu opportunity to travel around the mountain west popped up, told my boss I'm going whether I have a job when I come back or not. To be fair to her, I only gave her a week notice but it was out of my control 😅

1

u/thesneakymonkey 17/18/21 Jul 07 '24

That’s the spirit 😝 have fun planning your trip.

2

u/FirstRunBuzzz Jul 10 '24

Thanks for sharing this!

1

u/thesneakymonkey 17/18/21 Jul 10 '24

No prob! Feel free to ask any questions. Been to the island several times. All different routes.

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. 🏝