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Isle Royale NP: Lane Cove Trail

Trail Details

County
Houghton
Regions
Western Upper Peninsula
Latitude
N 48° 07' 51.24"
Longitude
W 088° 33' 32.04"
Distance
2.4 miles
Trail Type
Foot path
Terrain
Greenstone Ridge, Lake Superior
Difficulty
Moderate to difficult
Nearest City or Town
Houghton
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Lane Cove Trail and the campground at its north end are the only avenue hikers have to the Five Fingers of Isle Royale, that special area of long, narrow bays and fiordlike coves. This is an excellent first-night destination out of Rock Harbor for any backpacker hiking the Greenstone and anxious to escape the bustle of campgrounds like Daisy Farm.
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Description
Lane Cove Trail and the campground at its north end are the only avenue hikers have to the Five Fingers of Isle Royale, that special area of long, narrow bays and fiord-like coves. This is an excellent first-night destination out of Rock Harbor for any backpacker hiking the Greenstone Ridge Trail and anxious to escape the bustle of campgrounds like Daisy Farm. The trek from Rock Harbor to Lane Cove is 5.9 miles, via the Tobin Harbor Trail and Mount Franklin Trail.

The shoreline campground is one of the few along Lake Superior without shelters and offers only individual campsites and pit toilets. But the area is beautiful as you view the entire cove or gaze beyond its narrow mouth to the tree-studded islets north of Belie Harbor. On a clear day, this is also one of the few campgrounds where you can view Canada from your tent site.
Amenities & Services
Camping
Difficulty - Moderate
Foot Path
Trail Guide

Lane Cove Trail is covered with detailed maps in Isle Royale National Park: Foot Trails & Water Routes by Jim DuFresne. To order the 192-page guide to the wilderness island, Click Here.

Facilities

Shower tokens, clean towel, and bar of soap can be purchased at the camp store at Rock Harbor or Windigo. Some backpackers like to book a room for their final night at Rock Harbor, either at the lodge or in one of the housekeeping units that can be shared by six people and feature small kitchenettes. For reservations, contact the park concessionaire, Forever Resorts (866-644-2003 or 906-337-4993 in summer; www.isleroyaleresort.com).

Supplies

In the Upper Peninsula, on the way to Isle Royale National Park, the best place to pick up equipment is Downwind Sports which has two stores at 514 N Third St. in Marquette (906-226-7112) and 308 Shelden Ave. in Houghton (906-482-2500). Once on the island, information, maps and backcountry permits can be obtained from the Rock Harbor or Windigo Visitor Centers at the foot of the ferry wharf. There are also small stores at each entry port with limited and very expensive supplies.

Hours & Fees

Isle Royale National Park opens April 16 and closes on Nov. 1 to all visitors for the winter.  The park has a entrance fee of $7 per person per day or an annual pass for $60. You can pay the entrance fee once you arrive at the park or in advance at at pay.gov  and avoid congestion and long waits on the island. All park visitors who plan to camp overnight at campgrounds or cross-country sites are required to obtain a camping permit. This permit can be obtained free of charge at the visitor center at Windigo or Rock Harbor when you arrive or on board Ranger III on the way to the Island.

Directions

Lane Cove Trail begins near Mount Franklin on the Greenstone Ridge Trail. Most hikers reach the south end of it via the Rock Harbor Trail or Tobin Trail and then the Mount Franklin Trail from Rock Harbor. To reach Rock Harbor and Isle Royale National Park there\'s the Isle Royale Queen IV (906-289-4437; www.isleroyale.com), a ferry that departs from Copper Harbor.

Information

Call the Isle Royale National Park headquarters in Houghton (906-482-0984) or check the Isle Royale National Park website (www.nps.gov/isro).


Geo-referenced maps from MichiganTrailMaps.com range from $1.99 to $2.99 each.

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