Greenstone Ridge Trail
Total miles for main trail: Map=40 miles / GPS=    Average Difficulty: ?
    The Greenstone Ridge trail is the longest and perhaps, the most popular trail on the island.  It runs almost the entire length of the island on a ridge that forms the backbone of the island.  Being that it runs along the highest points on the island, it offers magnificent views of Lake Superior on both the north and south shores.  The time of year you go determines how often but, you can see both shores at various points along the trail.
Section 1: Hidden Lake dock to Lane Cove Trail / Mount Franklin Trail
Miles: Map=5.7 miles    Difficulty: ?    Hiked: No
    Most people start the trail from the point where the Mt. Franklin trail cuts in at the Greenstone trail but, to do the entire trail, you must really start at Lookout Louise.  This can be done by hiking from where the Mt. Franklin trail cuts in, walking to Lookout Louise and doubling back or, by getting someone in Rock Harbor with a boat to drop you off at the Hidden Lake dock in Tobin Harbor.  The dock at Hidden Lake is ? miles from Rock Harbor across Tobin Harbor.  The dock is right by Hidden Lake, a small lake with lots of wetlands around it.  After leaving the lake you immediatly begin the climb up to the ridge.  The climb is relatively short and not very steep at this point in the ridge.  At approximatly the .6 mile mark you will pass "Monument Rock".  Continuing for another .3 miles you reach the Greenstone Ridge.  At this point, if you go straight for .1 miles you will come to "Lookout Louise".  The view is worth the short trip. Once on the ridge, you go down hill a bit then, pretty much level off.  You pass a portage trail between Duncan Bay and Tobin Harbor at 1.4 miles.  Just past this point you begin to start the ascent up to, what will become, more of the "normal" level of the ridge.  You are at this level when you reach the Lane Cove Trail and the Mt. Franklin trail.  They are 3.4 miles from the Duncan Bay portage.
Section 2: Lane Cove Trail / Mt. Franklin Trail to Chickenbone East Campground trail
Miles: Map=8.8 miles/ GPS=8.22 miles    Difficulty: 5  Hiked: 1999,2001
    Walking west from the Mt. Franklin trail, at the .3 mile mark you will come to Mt. Franklin.  There is no sign or anything but, you will know when you are there.  There are huge rocks forming a ledge overlooking the entire north-east end of the island.  Plan on spending/loosing some time here, it is well worth it.  It's a great place to drop the pack and bask in the beauty.  Leaving Mt. Franklin, you continue along the ridge in a slight ascent till you come to Mt. Ojibway and Mt. Ojiway tower at 2.3 miles(map) or 2.5 miles(GPS).  After leaving the tower you begin a slight descent and come to the Daisy Farm trail at ? miles(map) or 4.2 miles (GPS). etc.
[NEED TO CHECK WITH BOTH MOVIES AND 99' STORY HERE]
Section 3: Chickenbone East Campground to Chickenbone West Campground
Miles: Map= miles / GPS=? miles    Difficulty: ?   Hiked: 1999,2001

Section 4: Chickenbone West Campground trail to Hatchet Lake Campground trail
Miles: Map=7.2 miles / Post at Hatchett 7.2 miles / GPS=? miles    Difficulty: ?    Hiked: 1999,2001
    The trails etc.  At .8 miles (GPS) you come to the portage between Chickenbone Lake and ? Lake.  This portage runs north/south and the trail runs east to west but, when you come to the portage from the east it is hard to see that the trail continues straight because it goes down over a small creek.  The trail then etc.  You come to the
[NEED TO MAKE SURE OF THESE DUE TO WEST/EAST CHICK SITUATION]
Section 5: Hatchet Lake Campground trail to Lake Desor South trail
Miles: Map=7.3 miles / GPS=? miles    Difficulty: ?   Hiked: 1999,2001
[WALKTIME TO MILE RATIO MILES/WT=.0440476 DESOR TO TOWER]
    After leaving the post marking Hatchet Lake trail, you immediatly climb a hill.  After that, the trail climbs another hill at .25 mile mark.
    You come to Ishpheming Tower at 3.8 miles (map and post at Hatchett) or 3.7 miles (GPS).
[NEED TO CHECK SPRING TRIP FOR FURTHER INFO OR, MOVIE]
Section 6: Lake Desor South trail to Island Mine Campground trail
Miles: Map=4.8 miles / GPS=5.2 miles    Difficulty: 5   Hiked: 1999,2001,2001
[WT RATIO .052]
Section 7: Island Mine Campground trail to Washington Creek Campground
Miles: Map=6.2 miles / Post at Island Mine=6.5 miles / GPS=6.49    Difficulty: East to West=? / West to East=?    Hiked: 1999,2000,2001

Indian Portage Trail
Total Miles: Map=10.6 miles    Average Difficulty: North to South=? / South to North=?

Section 1: McCargoe Cove Campground to Greenstone Ridge
Miles: Map=2.7 miles / GPS=2..82    Difficulty: North to South=6 / South to North=4    Hiked: 1996,2001
[WT RATIO=2.82/57=.0494736]
    Leaving McCargoe Cove, the trail is relatively flat.  At 1.1 miles (GPS) you come to the portage from Chickenbone Lake to McCargoe Cove.  At 1.46 miles you pass two small creeks and start heading up after walking in a realatively flat area with small up and downs.  At 2.25 miles you come to wetlands with a creek that lasts for .07 miles.  You reach the north side sign of West Chickenbone Campground at 2.5 miles.  Walking through the campground you reach the south side campground sign after climbing a steep but short hill at 2.7 miles.  You then walk a slight to moderate uphill till you reach the Greenstone Ridge at 2.82 miles.
Section 2: Greenstone Ridge to Lake Richie Campground
Miles: Map=3.4 miles / Sign of Greenstone=3.4 miles / GPS=3.45 miles   Difficulty: N to S=6 / S to N=7    Hiked: 1996,2001
[WT RATIO=3.45/64=.0539062]
    Leaving the post at the Greenstone Ridge you go over some boards at .25 miles.  At .32 miles you come to the portage out of the north side of Lake LeSage.  The trail then begins a steep uphill until .43 miles then begins a slight uphill until .51 miles.  The trail comes to the south side portage out of Lake LeSage at .73 miles.  After the portage, the trail is generally pleasant rolling ups and downs until .95 miles when it comes to a swamp with a boardwalk that lasts .5 miles.  At this point it ascends a big hill for .1 miles then immediatly down until 1.22 miles.  The trail then returns to gentle rolling hills until 1.8 miles when it starts a gradual descent until coming to a creek at 2.15 miles.  It levels off until decending at 2.25 miles until 2.37 miles when it passes the the north side Lake Richie portage.  It remains flat past the portage until 2.47 miles when it begins an ascent utill 2.51 miles.  It then begins a series of sharp short ups and downs till 2.7 miles when, if it is summer or fall, you catch you first glimse of serene Lake Richie.  It descends here until crossing another portage at 2.76 miles then remains relatively flat until reaching Lake Richie Campground at 3.45 miles.  The campground is .12 miles from the west sign to the east sign.

Section 3: Lake Richie Campground to Chippewa Harbor Campground
Miles: Map=4.3 miles / GPS= miles    Difficulty: N to S=?    S to N: ?    Hiked: 2001,2002

Ishpeming Trail
Miles: Map=7 miles / GPS=7.1 miles    Difficulty: N to S=5 / S to N=7    Hiked: 2001
    The trail leaves Ishpeming Tower and you immediatly start descending.  Right after leaving there is an open area that offers a view of Lake Superior, Siskiwit bay and Siskiwit lake most times of the year.  Take a look here because it mostly downhill for the rest of the trail and you will not be able to see them again.  The trail continues on at a moderate downhill through scattered forests, meadows and wetlands until reaching the west side of Siskiwit Lake.  This section of trail can be hard to follow at times, especially in the springtime.  When approaching Siskiwit Lake you come upon a series of boards going over a creek draining into the lake.  These boards go on for awhile and the water can be pretty deep so be careful.  This is a good area to see moose and fish.  Once passed the creek the trail heads to higher ground and follows pretty much along the shore of the lake all the way to the campground sign.  This is quite a long walk offering very nice views of Siskiwit Lake the entire way.

Island Mine Trail
    The island mine trail is usually done as part of the Feldtmann Ridge to form a loop.  If travelled from the Greenstone down, it is almost all down hill, so, from Siskiwit bay down, it is almost all uphill.
Section 1: Siskiwit Bay to Island Mine
Miles: Map=4.3 miles / GPS=4.4 miles    Difficulty: 8  Hiked: 2000,2001
    When leaving Siskiwit campground, the trail cuts towards the bay.  Once at the bay, there is a trail that follows the shoreline directly behind the beach, or, you can walk along the beach.  If walking along the beach, you have to watch for a trail sign along the beach around the ? mile mark.  This puts you back on the trail directly behind the beach which leads to a bridge over the Big Siskiwit river.  If you don't take this cut, you will end up at the mouth of the Big Siskiwit river emptying into Siskiwit Bay.  If walking over the bridge across the Big Siskiwit river, be prepared for wildlife along the river.  On the other side of the bridge, there is a moose trail that leads to mineral licks, which makes the bridge a good spot for seeing moose anytime of the year.  Also, good for seeing Loons, geese, ducks, otters and other various birds, depending on the time of the year.  When I missed this cut in the fall, I had no problem wading across the Big Siskiwit river entrance.  It was around 5-6" deep.  When I went in the fall, you couldn't wade it and it was around 20 feet wide, 12-24" deep and moving pretty fast.  If walking along the trail just behind the beach, you will reach the Big Siskiwit river bridge at the .4 mile (GPS) mark.  After the river, the trail cuts back towards  the bay along boards and, once again, it follows just behind the beach or, you can walk on the beach.  You can stay on the beach until you come to the Little Siskiwit river at the .65 mile (GPS) mark which, in the summertime, is almost non-existent and, in the springtime, is wade able or, the footbridge is close by.  Once past the Little Siskiwit river, the trail heads inland across Senter Point.  When, beyond the point, you are back on a trail along the beach.  Once again, there is a trail just on the other side of the beach.  This trail follows along the beach until you reach Caribou Creek at the 1.18 mile (GPS) mark, which, again, depending on the season, is passable.  If it is springtime, you may have to back-track a bit to cross a footbridge.  Soon after passing this, when turning inland, away from the bay, you start up the Island Mine trail at the 1.55 mile (GPS) mark.  The trail follows a wagon wheel road road going up towards the Island Mine.  At about the 2.65 mile (GPS) mark, what remains of the Island Mine Cemetery is about 30' to the west of the trail.  There is just some fencing and rocks left.  Around a tenth of a mile passed the cemetery, the trail meets the Island Mine stream which maybe flowing or, just a trickle depending on the time of year.  The trail follows near the stream until you reach the Island Mine at the 3.2 mile (GPS) mark.  Island Mine is easy to see because you will see slag piles to the right of the trail when you come to it.  After Island Mine, you make one last series of climbs but, the road is gone so, it's rougher with more of a grade.  When you reach the highest point you will come to a double switch back down and you're almost to the campground.  Just before reaching the campground you will walk over a small creek, which is the water supply, then up a little hill and you are there.  The Island Mine Campground is 1.2 miles (GPS) from Island Mine and 4.4 miles (GPS) from Siskiwit Bay.
[MAP]
Section 2: Island Mine to the Greenstone Ridge
Miles: Map=.4 miles / GPS=.4 miles / Signpost=? miles    Difficulty=7 Hiked: 1999,2000,2001,2001
    The trails leaves the campground and heads along the small valley you are in for a bit then, heads up till you reach the top of the ridge.  This becomes relatively steep at times but, it's only .4 miles (GPS) to the top of the Greenstone Ridge and the Greenstone Ridge Trail.

Minong Ridge Trail
Total Miles for main trail: Map=29.2 miles / GPS=28.46    Average Difficulty: East to West=7.6 / West to East=7.8
    The Minong Ridge trail runs from Washington Creek trail to McCargoe Cove Campground and is considered the hardest long trail on the island.  It can be extremely hard in wet conditions due to sleppery rocks and leaves and, when hot, the sun can be warm due to the height and lack of shade.
Section 1: McCargoe Cove to Todd Harbor
Miles: Map=6.6 miles / GPS=6.9 miles    Difficulty: E to W=6 / W to E=7    Hiked: 1998,2001,2002

Section 2: Todd Harbor to Little Todd Harbor
Miles: Map=6.1 miles / GPS=5.94 miles    Difficulty: E to W=6 / W to E=5    Hiked: 1998,2001,2002

Section 3: Little Todd Harbor to Lake Desor North
Miles: Map=4.6 miles / GPS=4.45 miles    Difficulty=10  Hiked: 1998,2001,2002

Section 5: Lake Desor North to Washington Creek Campground
Miles: Map=12..6 miles / GPS=11.17 miles    Difficulty: E to W=8.5 / W to E=9    Hiked: 1998,2001,2002

Section 1: Washington Creek trail to Lake Desor North campground trail
Miles: Map=11.2 miles / GPS=10.6 miles    Difficulty: E to W=9 / W to E=9.5 Hiked: 1998,2001,2002
RATIO=10.6/233=.0455
    After leaving the crossroads post marking the Minong Ridge trail and the West Hugininn Cove trail, you immediatly start up a relatively steep hill for .3 miles.  The trail levels out and you come to the East Huginnin Cove trail at .57 miles.  You walk along moderate hills and lowlands until 2.1 miles when you come to your first true "Minong type" hill which consists of a pretty steep climb, come out on a ridge for awhile, then, go back down into a small valley.  I counted 15 major ridges like this between Washington Creek trail and the Lake Desor North campground.  At 2.75 miles you come to a long beaver dam with about a 2.5' drop to the west.  It is usually damp and can be dangerous if you are not careful and, if raining or soaked, it WILL be slippery.  If you do not have a trekking pole, you might want to grab a long stick before you cross it.  You will be able to re-use it on a couple of other sections anyway.  Right after crossing the dam, you climb up another ridge that offers a good view of the dam and the swamp behind it.  At 3.3 miles you pass a creek with possible drinking water.  At 4 miles you walk on a very, very long plank bridge that seems to go on for a tenth of a mile and sits up quite high at some points.  At 4.9 miles you pass another creek with possible drinking water.  At 5 miles there is an unusually open hill with downed trees on the north side of the trail and 3 pines in sortof a circle.  This is a possible backcountry site (I stayed there once before).  After going down a slight hill from here you enter a stetch of wetlands.  Some of them have corduroy logs (laying horizontal) and some have just logs laying as the trail.  These areas can be and usually are quite slippery.  This is where you will need that stick again.  You should test these longs all along this stretch.  Sometimes they break away from the ground and turn into "floaters" which, when you step on them, will send you falling into the water!  This section continues until 6 miles when you come to "Bob's Creek", so-named because my friend Bob took a good spill here.  These are a series of boards layed vertical with some flattened.  It is very slippery in here.  After this, you continue going up and down ridges with the trees starting to go more to birch.  This last 2-3 miles before the campground is the most difficult sections of the ridge along this section with lots of high rock surfaces.  Finally, at 9.7 miles, you can see Lake Desor to the south.  You arrive at the campground post on the Minong at 10.6 miles (GPS).  The Lake Desor North campground is .5 miles (map) or .4 miles (GPS) south of the trail.

Rock Harbor Trail
Miles: Map=10.8 miles / GPS= miles    Average Difficulty: 6.5
    The
Section 1: Rock Harbor to Three Mile Campground
Miles: Map=2.7 miles / GPS= miles    Difficulty: 6.5 / 7   Hiked: 1996,1999,2002
Section 2: Three Mile Campground to Daisy Farm Campground
Miles: Map=4.4 miles / GPS=4.37    Difficulty: 5   Hiked: 1996,2002
    The trail leaves the west sign at Three-Mile campground and comes to the Mount Franklin trail cut at .1 miles. LOOK AT MOVIE.  From .44 miles it continues gentle rolling hills until .71 miles it reaches a small bay where it cuts inland across a penninsula in the woods until .81 when it reaches boards and a small stream.  LOOK AT MOVIE.  It reaches the east sign for Siskowit Mine at 1.5 miles.  It follows along the site of the mine for .15 miles untill reaching the west sign for the mine.  LOOK AT MOVIE.  You lose sight of the building attached to the lighthouse at about 2.8 miles.  LOOK AT MOVIE.  At 3.57 miles from the west sign at Three-Mile you reach the east sign of Daisy Farm campground.
Section 3: (West Section): Moskey Basin to Daisy Farm Campground
Miles: Map=3.5 miles / GPS=3.36    Difficulty: 7.5   Hiked: 1996,2001,2002
    This trail is not as easy as it looks on the map.  It is almost all rock with lots of minor changes in elevation so, it can be hard on the feet.  While there are no significant ups and downs, it is tiring none the less.  It could be dangerous if wet and, hot if warm and walking in the sun.
    Leaving the post to Moskey Basin campground, the trail starts off with gradual ups and downs.  At .25 miles it begins a 60' gradual uphill until .4 miles when you descend 30' down to a creek at .5 miles.  From there, it is mild ups and down till another creek at .65 miles.  From there, it is a slight uphill until .86 miles when it begins a stretch of rolling moderate ups and downs with no significant steepness until 1.7 miles when you reach a steep hill and climb a ridge of almost all solid rock.  At 2 miles, the trail dips off that ridge and climbs a similar one at 2.14 miles.  The ridges have no significant changes in elevation changes but, are hard to walk because they are almost all rock and are perpetually going up and down.  This section would be tough in hot or rainy/wet weather.  Finally, at 2.88 miles, the trail goes off the rock ridges and follows gravel trail with some forest and minor rolling hills until 3.25 miles when it drops 40' until reaching the post at Daisy Farm trail.
-sign=3.36 GPS  sign says 3.7
-WT=1:12  TT=1:27 RATIO=.0466666