r/backpacking • u/Street-Orchid3066 • 1d ago
Travel First Backpacking Trip complete
Hi everyone! I just did my first backpacking trip ever to Isle Royale and it was amazing! (Details at the end) I was hoping to get some more reccomendations on great places to go for a weekend trip? I live in the Midwest so would like to stay somewhat close.
Isle Royale:
We did 40 miles in 3 days and had an amazing time!
Day 1: Windigo to Siskiwit
Day 2: Siskiwit to Feldtmann Lake
Day 3: Feldtmann back to Windigo (took aCanoe to Beaver Island and camped there)
Day 4: some chill hikes and took ferry home
We had zero luck fishing and seemed like that is pretty common. We saw a TON of moose but none on any trails. Main spots were in Windigo actually for moose and 2 at Feldtmann Lame. The trails were pretty overgrown but fairly straight forward. The trails were pretty uneven throughout and rocky. Our shoulders are a bit sore but everything else feel strong. (We are both pretty active 28 year old males) I think this would be a pretty challenging amount of miles if not but I’m not sure.
The only thing I wish I did differently was plan our meals better and bring a set of comfortable night time clothes to stay warm at night and in the morning. We took a bunch of the pre packed freeze dried meals. We didn’t run out of food by any means but could have saved a lot of space within our packs. Would love some reccomendations here for what to pack next time for easy good meals and snacks.
Ive learned a bunch and am excited for my next adventure. Does anyone have any other good reccomendations for spots to backpack?
1
u/angstybaristamn 1d ago
Isle royale is one of those trips I can do over and over. Highly recommend doing the rock harbor to windigo one way it’s really not much more in terms of milage and you get some great trails. I normally go springtime tho to avoid the bugs. My go to trail snack is tortilla pizzas! If you want to do something bigger start looking into the cascades if you’re thinking more local there are some really nice stretches of the superior hiking trail! Cheers!
1
u/jjmcwill2003 1d ago
Food:
Check out "The Hungry Spork" by Inga Aksamit. Lots of pantry friendly recipes in there.
https://trailcooking.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@ChefCorso
https://www.backpackingchef.com/ - getting a food dehydrator opens up another level of tailor made food. The round stackable ones are quite affordable. The rectangular ones with drawers like the Excalibur are more pricey. Either works fine for making dehydrated backpacking food.
1
1
u/PinkyNThumb 1d ago
3 days? And I love the porkies, I do about 12 days I start at Craig lake then make my way west to the porkies, 8 days in tents and 4 in cabins, which is great for getting a break from pooping in a hole in the ground, I might squeeze in a day or two at the campground to charge some stuff and get in a shower or two in between, I like to hike to the car and go to town about every 3 or 4 days to restock, I am looking forward to doing isle royale next yr
1
u/MediocreBonus988 1d ago
For Midwest weekend trips, Porcupine Mountains, Pictured Rocks, the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin, and the Superior Hiking Trail are all solid next steps, Porcupine and Superior will probably feel closest to Isle Royale in terms of scenery and trail vibe, while Pictured Rocks gives you huge views with a bit less isolation. Since 40 miles in 3 days felt good except for shoulder soreness, I’d focus next on routes with good campsites and water but a little less rocky footing, that lets you dial in pack weight and food without getting punished. For food, skip some bulky freeze dried meals and lean on tortillas, instant potatoes or ramen, oatmeal, nuts, jerky, cheese, tuna packets, peanut butter, and bars, calorie dense stuff packs smaller and usually feels better on a short trip.
1
u/futilitaria 1d ago
To cut down on weight, bulk and trash, transfer the pre-packaged dehydrated meals into Ziploc freezer bags before you leave and eat out of the bags. I made an insulated bag from food safe reflectix foam and that holds it while the food rehydrates and while I eat it. Not having to clean my pot is the easiest to me.
For next hikes, check out Ice Age Trail in northern Wisconsin (Harrison Hills section allows primitive camping anywhere) and also Manistee River Trail in Michigan is popular.