Harbor to Hills Section 5 - 3.6mi Strenuous Isle Royale Hike

A trail by a small hill that leads to a lake. Forest in the distance.

This interior lake-to-lake section of the Indian Portage Trail connects Lake Richie to West Chickenbone through rolling wilderness terrain packed with roots and rocks. Expect 5–6 hours of serious work: constant elevation gain, technical footing that demands ankle stability, and partial exposure on ridges facing Lake Superior winds. You'll earn genuine solitude and access to remote campgrounds, but only if you bring grit, water filters, and realistic fitness expectations.

Quick facts

Distance Miles: 3.6
Route Type: Point-to-Point (Section 5 of Harbor to Hills Trail)
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Elevation Gain Feet: 600

Trail profile

Distance Miles: 3.6
Route Type: Point-to-Point (Section 5 of Harbor to Hills Trail)
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Elevation Gain Feet: 600
Estimated Time: 5–6 hours for fit hikers with trekking poles; 6–7 hours managing technical terrain carefully. Includes brief water and rest stops.
Trail Surface: Rocky, rooty, technical terrain. Trail width ~18 inches, no paving or maintained tread. Sections scramble over boulders. Overgrown vegetation may obscure footing.
Trail Features: Interior lakes (Lake Richie, Chickenbone Lake area)
Rolling wilderness ridges and elevation transitions
Greenstone Ridge connection
Multiple water sources
Remote campgrounds with lake views
Trail Highlights: This is the genuine article: interior Isle Royale solitude connecting two pristine lake campgrounds across rolling wilderness. No crowds, no road noise, no shortcuts. You'll camp where few hikers venture and earn lake views untouched by civilization. The payoff is psychological—you're in true remote backcountry.

Trailhead & access

Trailhead Location: Lake Richie Campground via Indian Portage Trail; accessed via water taxi or ferry from Rock Harbor or other Isle Royale entry points.
Parking Lot Size: N/A — Isle Royale is an island. No vehicle parking. All access via ferry (Ranger III) or water taxi (Voyageur II) from Rock Harbor Lodge or seaplane.
Parking Fill Time: N/A — No parking lot. Water taxi and ferry demand peak mid-summer; book 1–2 weeks in advance.
Shuttle Required: 1
Shuttle Details: Ranger III ferry from Houghton, MI to Rock Harbor (2.5 hours). Voyageur II water taxi from Rock Harbor Lodge to McCargoe Cove, Chippewa Harbor, or Moskey Basin (multiple daily). Isle Royale Seaplanes offer air taxi from Houghton. Reservations required in advance, especially May–September.

Permits & conditions

Permits Required: Yes
Permit Details: Isle Royale backcountry camping requires permits. Obtain at Rock Harbor or Windigo visitor centers upon arrival. Permit season: April 16 – October 31. Day-use hikers check current NPS regulations.
Fees: $7 per person park entrance fee (children 15 and under exempt, per NPS as of 2026-06-12). America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) accepted.
Trail Status: Open (April 16 – October 31 annually). Check NPS website for seasonal updates and current conditions.
Seasonal Closures: November 1 – April 15. Park and island closed for winter; water taxis unavailable. Island closure extends 4.5 miles into Lake Superior.

Facilities & rules

Restrooms At Trailhead: 0
Water Sources: Filter water from interior lakes and streams along the trail (Lake Richie, Chickenbone Lake, others). Check with rangers for current algal bloom advisories before departing. Carry minimum 2L filtration capacity. Frequent water sources mean you won't carry all day, but verify quality first.
Accessibility: Rooty, rocky trail unsuitable for wheelchairs or mobility devices. Steep elevation gains in sections. Overgrown vegetation along sections. Technical footwork and balance required. Not accessible.

Safety & strategy

Hazards: Rooty and rocky terrain (ankle-breaking risks)
Steep elevation gain exhaustion
Technical footing in wet conditions
Algal blooms in interior water sources
Exposure to Lake Superior weather on ridges
Isolation (emergency response delayed)
Bear and wolf presence (rare but possible)
Stream crossings at high water
Hypothermia risk if weather turns cold
Hazard Details: Rocky, rooty trail 18 inches wide creates ankle-twist and fall risks if you're not placing feet carefully. Elevation gain will test your aerobic system and leave legs shaky on descent. Check algal bloom advisories with rangers before drinking any water—interior lakes can have toxic blooms. This is genuine wilderness: emergency response takes hours or days, not minutes. Bears and wolves roam Isle Royale (keep 100+ yards from bears, 25+ yards from other wildlife); encounters are rare but possible. Stream crossings at mile 1.5 and 2.2 become impassable at high water.
Cell Service: No cell service on Isle Royale interior backcountry. Carry a satellite communicator (e.g., Garmin inReach) if possible. Rangers monitor the main lodges but won't know you're in trouble unless you signal.
Crowd Level: Ghost town — Isle Royale interior is remote and rarely crowded. Most visitors stick to shoreline trails.
Peak Crowd Times: Peak crowds are rare; mid-July through early August sees slightly higher traffic. Weekends busier than weekdays. Shoulder seasons (May, September) offer more solitude.
Best Season: May to September (water taxis and ferry services operate). Park open April 16 – October 31, but interior backcountry trails peak May–September.
Best Time To Visit: May to September when water taxis and ferries operate. Start before 7 AM at trailhead to maximize daylight on technical terrain. Summer heat peaks mid-July; shoulder months (May, September) offer cooler conditions and fewer crowds.
Tips Advice: Trekking poles mandatory—the rooty descent will trash your knees without them.
Carry 2L+ water capacity and a gravity filter; interior lakes offer plentiful sources but verify no algal bloom advisories first.
The trail grades uphill for the first 2 miles relentlessly—pace yourself, don't sprint.
Wear high-ankle boots; rocks and roots hide under vegetation and will catch unprepared feet.
Bring a topo map and compass; markers exist but overgrown sections are real.

More details

Park Area: Isle Royale Interior Backcountry
Trail Markers: Marked trail throughout, but overgrown vegetation can obscure markers in sections. Cairns are present but not continuous. Trail confidence is moderate; map and compass essential for navigation.
Dogs Allowed: No dogs permitted on Isle Royale National Park.
Biking Allowed: No biking. Backcountry wilderness hiking only; all-terrain vehicles prohibited.
Shade Level: Partial shade in forested sections; exposed on ridges and lake clearings. Sun protection mandatory. Bring wide-brimmed hat and SPF 30+. Lake Superior winds accelerate sun exposure.
Emergency Contacts: Isle Royale National Park Rangers (contact via NPS website nps.gov/isro or at Rock Harbor/Windigo visitor centers). Ranger III ferry and Voyageur II water taxi provide emergency extraction but response time is delayed—this is true wilderness.
Map Recommended: 1
Snow Dates: Trail snow-covered November through April. Park is closed to visitors this season due to extreme winter weather.
Mud Season: Spring (late April–May) and fall rains create muddy sections on rolling terrain. Lake Richie area particularly boggy in May.
Fall Colors Peak: Late September through early October. Birch and aspen turn gold; viewing best on ridges with open vistas.
Bug Season: Peak mosquito season June–July, especially near water sources and wetlands. Blackflies active May–June. Bring insect repellent with DEET.
Insider Tips: The false summit at mile 2.5 won't be the Greenstone Ridge—keep climbing to earn the real payoff.
Algal blooms in interior lakes are real; ask rangers at visitor center for the latest intel before filling your bottles.
Start at 6 AM to secure daylight for the entire route; sunset comes fast in rolling terrain.
Moskey Basin trailhead gets busier than Lake Richie; start from Lake Richie for more solitude.
Trekking poles aren't optional—the rooty descent will shred your knees without them.
Family Friendly Notes: Not suitable for young children. The 5–6 hour duration, steep elevation, rooty technical terrain, and isolation require experienced young hikers (10+) with robust fitness or constant adult support. Older teens (14+) with solid backpacking experience and ankle stability can handle it. Risk of getting lost, dehydration, or ankle injury is real if kids are unprepared.
Nearby Facilities: Lake Richie, Moskey Basin, West Chickenbone, East Chickenbone, and Chippewa Harbor campgrounds nearby. No food, water, or supply services in backcountry—must be completely self-sufficient. Rock Harbor Lodge (ferry endpoint, 3–6 miles away depending on entry point) has limited supplies and lodging; book ahead.
Review Summary: Backpackers report this interior section is physically rewarding but genuinely demanding. The relentless elevation gain combined with technical rooty terrain and isolation requires fitness and attention to detail. Most hikers rate it worth the effort for authentic wilderness experience and remote lake camping.

Location

Frequently asked questions

How fit do I need to be?

Serious fitness required. You need to handle 5–6 hours of constant elevation gain with a 25–35 lb pack on technical terrain. If you can't hike 3 miles in under an hour with elevation on trail boots, this will break you.

Is it safe to hike alone?

Not recommended without a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, etc.). The trail is marked and the route is clear, but emergency response is delayed. Solo hiking is possible if you're navigation-confident and inform someone of your plan.

What about water quality and algal blooms?

Filter all water from interior lakes. Check with rangers at visitor centers for current algal bloom advisories—some years they spike in summer. If algae is reported, either rely on bottled water or carry a filter that removes cyanotoxins.

How many people use this trail?

Very few. Most Isle Royale visitors stick to shoreline trails. You'll likely encounter 0–2 other parties over 6 hours—genuine wilderness solitude.

Do I need special gear beyond typical backpacking?

Yes: trekking poles (non-negotiable for descent), topo map, compass, satellite communicator if hiking solo, high-ankle boots, water filter, sun protection. This is true wilderness—normal gear isn't enough.