Isle Royale part 6: On the Minong Ridge to Little Todd Harbor
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Isle Royale end-to-end solo loop hike part 6 – On the Minong Ridge from Todd Harbor to Little Todd Harbor
This is the 6th post in my series on my end-to-end solo hike on Isle Royale, and it was my 4th day on the island. I leave Todd Harbor on the Minong Trail, headed to Little Todd Harbor. I don’t see a single person on the trail.
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On the Minong Ridge Trail
I was up with the sun and packed quietly as the two people who’d arrived the night before were still sleeping. They were most certainly in need of a good night’s sleep after their long hike the day before! Packing up is easier in a shelter, as you don’t have to mess with a tent. I hit the trail around 7:45 a.m.
This was an easier hike – the terrain was dirt, not rock – and I had fewer miles to cover than some of the other days. There were a lot of ups and downs, but nothing too difficult. The bugs were terrible in the low areas, but not as bad up on the ridge.
Wet & Muddy Trail
The only bad part of the trail was that it was narrow, overgrown, and wet. My pant legs were completely soaked and clinging uncomfortably to my legs, soaking my socks and boots.
About the midway point I stopped at a wide spot on the otherwise narrow trail, on top of the ridge. I removed my pant legs (zip off legs), replacing them with gaiters. The clingy, wet fabric had been driving me crazy. I wished I had worn the gaiters from the start. I had not expected the trail to be as overgrown as it was.
There was nothing that could be done about the wet boots. I could have replaced the socks, but was too lazy to dig into my pack for another pair. I am very blister prone. Blisters will happen no matter what I do, and I would deal with them as they appeared. I had a quick snack and started back on the trail.
I saw almost no wildlife on this hike. One squirrel and a pileated woodpecker. Oh, and the dead mouse, too. I had seen so many moose on the trip, it seemed unusual to not see one.
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Get the Isle Royale guidebookMy first fall of the trip
As I got closer to the junction to Little Todd, there was a very steep downhill. I was going slowly, but still managed to slip and fall onto my butt. It was my first fall of the trip, though only a very little fall. I was struggling to get up with the pack on. Too lazy to take it off, I scooted down a bit farther to where the terrain made a bit of a step. I sat on that and was able to get back up. My dirty butt would definitely give away my clumsiness, but fortunately there was no one else on the trail!
Arriving at Little Todd Harbor campground
I reached the spur to Little Todd, and it’s only .6 miles to the campground. It was a tough .6 miles though! I thought it would be leisurely, but there were swamps and stream crossings on logs and some steep descents. They would be steep ascents on the way out tomorrow. But no sense in worrying about that now. I had made it to Todd Harbor, and I had not seen a single person all day.
Next: Isle Royale part 7 – Storm at Little Todd Harbor campground
Missed the beginning of the series? Read Isle Royale part 1: Planning & Training
