Isle Royale, day 6&7: South Desor Lake to Hatchet Lake to Todd Harbor

Day 6

First, we walked over to the lake near group camp sites with better access to the lake (small beach) to get water for the day. Very calm. Then we continued on the Greenstone Ridge Trail. More open spaces and better views from the ridge top, but not without getting our shoes dirty somehow. We saw Hatchet lake, our next destination, between trees. Another day with sunny weather, bumping up and down the hills. The views are getting better, more open.

My waterproof boots work well on wet trails

Trail cuts across rocky outcrops on the ridge

Hatchet Lake ( Lake Superior in the background)

South Desor Lake

Greenstone Ridge

Day 7

Beaver Day ! We started walking along Hatchet Lake and then on Hatchet Lake Trail to Minong Ridge Trail. This is serious beaver country, with many dams rising water level and in places blocking trails. Beavers migrate from place to place to build new homes. We encountered beaver pond and damaged/submerged trail boards, but it was no too difficult to walk around the obstacles. We did not see beavers on this stretch, but we then arrived at very impressive/long dam and large pond. The trail disappeared. We watched for a while large beaver eating lunch, bark from partially submerged trees. With no easy way around, we had to cross the dam (directed by ribbons). Not as difficult as we initially imagined, still felt adventurous. The same beaver was patrolling the pond along the dam watching for any damage. We were extra careful not to cause any. A bit further, we saw abandoned dams and ponds drained on another stream. It was a shorter hike and we arrived at Todd Harbor earlier. We picked the most remote camp site. The shelter was occupied. We made a quick hike pass Hogtown Mine to upper water falls, but decided not to cross the stream – the only way to get down to the water line to see the lower falls. With sun up and stones on the beach quite warm it was good place to rinse-refresh and quick dry some of our clothes (not really laundry without soap). We spent the rest of the day cooking dinner on the beach and watching sunset. It was the best day so far.