Isle Royale National Park: Greenstone Ridge Trail
Go high above this tiny Lake Superior island for solitude, views, and one of Michigan's most incredible ridge hikes.
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Here’s an equation we like: One seven-hour ferry plus a 42-mile trail equals zero crowds. Thanks to boat-only access, the Greenstone Ridge Trail, which bumps along the view-draped spine of Isle Royale National Park, dishes up Alaska-style solitude. Jump in at either end (usually done east to west, Rock Harbor to Windigo) and emerge having snarfed thimbleberries by the handful, swum in remote lakes, and walked grassy heights with lookouts sweeping to shores 50 miles distant. Most GRT hikers skip the five miles from Lookout Louise to Mt. Franklin. Big mistake. Arrange at the Rock Harbor Visitor Center for a water taxi ($45) to Hidden Lake Dock. The views on this stretch are tops. (906) 482-0984; nps.gov/isro
Season Mid-August through September for the first blush of fall color and few bugs
Guidebook and map Foot Trails and Water Routes, by Jim Dufresne ($13,mountaineersbooks.org); Trails Illustrated Isle Royale National Park ($12,natgeomaps.com)
-Text by Jim Gorman; GPS data courtesy of National Parks System
Trail Facts
- Distance: 64.1
Waypoints
GRN001
Location: 47.911847, -89.157741
Western trailhead: Windigo Visitor Center at Washington Harbor
GRN002
Location: 47.917824, -89.149504
Turn left onto the Greenstone Ridge Trail, one of the best ridge treks in the country.
GRN003
Location: 47.93385, -89.055117
Summit of Sugar Mountain
GRN004
Location: 47.93505, -89.043328
Junction with the Island Mine Trail. Turn right for a campground, or continue on to the Greenstone Ridge.
GRN005
Location: 47.955746, -89.011701
Eastern (and higher) summit of two-tipped Mt. Desor.
GRN006
Location: 47.966093, -88.970744
Turn left for camping at the South Lake Desor Campground.
GRN007
Location: 47.994346, -88.915426
Ascend the lookout tower at Ishpeming Point. The Ishpeming Trail leads south to Eagle Harbor and the Malone Bay Camground at the islands south side.
GRN008
Location: 48.017345, -88.843939
Junction with the Hatchet Lake Trail (with camping at the lake).
GRN009
Location: 48.047058, -88.76414
Moose (1,187 ft.)
GRN010
Location: 48.062204, -88.722377
Turn left for a quick spur to the West Chickennbone Lake Campground.
GRN011
Location: 48.066528, -88.709379
Footbridge.
GRN012
Location: 48.072766, -88.693436
Hike .1 north at this junction to the East Chickenbone Lake Campground.
GRN013
Location: 48.085911, -88.653931
Sargent (934 ft.)
GRN014
Location: 48.098467, -88.629646
Bear left at the junction with Daisy Farm Trail.
GRN015
Location: 48.10839, -88.607417
Mt. Objiway (1,133 ft.) with a lookout tower.
GRN016
Location: 48.128057, -88.561799
Isle Royale East (1,074 ft.) to the northeast
GRN017
Location: 48.152805, -88.502043
Continue straight.
GRN018
Location: 48.161734, -88.485171
Prehistoric mine
GRN019
Location: 48.163502, -88.481281
Turn southeast with the Greenstone Ridge trail and begin the final descent.
GRN020
Location: 48.162201, -88.478944
Monument Rock
GRN021
Location: 48.158908, -88.471938
Trailhead
