Minong Ridge Trail

From Windigo toward McCargoe, the NPS itinerary breaks the traverse into four one-day legs: 12.6 miles to North Lake Desor, 5.7 miles to Little Todd, 6.8 miles to Todd Harbor, then 6.7 miles to McCargoe Cove. The reverse direction uses the same stages in the other order. The route's main payoff is the long stretch of rocky ridge, but the camping stops and boat access are what make the crossing workable.

The first leg from Windigo is the longest. NPS describes rolling ridges, remnants of a wildfire and careful crossings over beaver dams. The route feels more like a backcountry traverse than a maintained day trail: small changes in tread or footing can slow you, so leave room in the day for navigation and breaks.

North Desor to Little Todd is only 5.7 miles, but NPS calls it the trail's most challenging section and says it can take a full day. Expect steep climbs, rocks and roots, and footing that can be unsure; rocks are slippery when wet. Cairns mark only parts of the route and conditions change, so keep your map and compass handy. Water is not readily available along this stretch; carry what you need and purify water at a campground.

Between Little Todd and Todd Harbor, the primitive trail opens onto views of Isle Royale's interior lakes, Lake Superior and the Canadian shoreline. These are the stretches that give the route its name and its sense of height. For a photo, include the nearer lake below the ridge and the far shoreline beyond Lake Superior; the layers show how much ground lies between them.

The 6.7-mile Todd Harbor to McCargoe section is described as the more-traveled part of this still-primitive trail. McCargoe Cove is the eastern endpoint and a useful place to add a separate day hike to Minong Mine if your itinerary allows. Minong is an Ojibwe name for Isle Royale; NPS says Indigenous copper mining here began at least 4,500 years ago and continued through the 1880s. The Minong Copper Mining District, which includes Minong Mine and occupation sites at McCargoe Cove, became a National Historic Landmark in 2021. Keep that mine walk separate from the Minong Ridge mileage.

There is no potable water along the route and services are limited. Carry your food and a water filter, and do not plan around finding a meal or filling a bottle on the ridge. Overnight permits are required; groups of seven or more need advance camping reservations. Pets are not allowed in Isle Royale, including on boats within park boundaries. Mosquitoes and black flies are usually worst in June or July and may persist into August.

There is no road or car parking on the island. Windigo is reached by ferry, seaplane or private boat; McCargoe Cove is reachable by passenger ferry, private boat or trail. Because this is point-to-point, settle transport to both ends before setting out. If you want a shorter taste of the ridge, the Minong Ridge Overlook day walk from Windigo is a separate outing, not a shortened version of this traverse.

The 28-mile figure describes the main route. NPS also lists more than 32.1 miles for a five-day itinerary that includes the walking spurs into campgrounds. If you use the North Desor, Little Todd and Todd Harbor camps, budget for those extra legs rather than treating them as part of the ridge corridor.