The Greenstone Ridge forms the geologic backbone of Isle Royale, which is one of America's least visited National Parks. The only way to get to the island is either by air or by sea as it is 90km away from the shores of Upper Michigan and 35km away from Grand Portage, Minnesota. The GRT traverses this ridgeline for 40.1 miles along the entire length of Isle Royale from the western terminus at the intersection of the Minong Ridge Trail (0.3 miles away from Washington Creek Campground) to the eastern terminus at the intersection of the Lookout Louise trail.
I will be following the common sense guidelines proposed by Buzz Burrell and documented by Peter Bakwin on http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com
- Announce your intentions in advance. Like a true gentleman, pay your respects to those who came before you, and tell them what you intend to attempt and when.
- Be an open book. Invite anyone to come and watch or, better yet, participate. This makes your effort more fun and any result more believable.
- Record your event. Write down everything immediately upon completion. Memory doesn't count.
I have to say that planning this trek has been very exhausting and exciting at the same time. Traveling to an island across the treacherous waters of Lake Superior, then running from one end to the other, has presented some unique challenges. Several different boats travel to the island, but only on certain days; other boats circumnavigate the island, but only on certain days. A seaplane makes the trip to the island, but only on certain days. Of course it is nearly impossible to line up all of these days but in my final itinerary I was able to make it happen in early July.
Along the way I will document all of my split times at each major trail intersection for proof of the FKT. I will have witnesses at the start and their names will be noted. I will then be joined at the eastern terminus by my Father, Dennis Charette who will witness the conclusion of the run. I am excited that after the run, we will get to spend another day on the island, which will coincide with his 61st birthday. Having lived in Michigan for a combined 80 years, this will be our first trip to the majestic island.
Figure 1: Trail mileage by section
| Location | Start (Miles) | Location | End (Miles) | Total (Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRT junction at Minong Ridge Trail | 0.0 | Island Mine Trail | 5.9 | 5.9 |
| Island Mine Trail | 5.9 | South Lake Desor | 4.8 | 10.7 |
| South Lake Desor | 10.7 | Ishpeming Point | 3.5 | 14.2 |
| Ishpeming Point | 14.2 | Hatchet Lake | 3.8 | 18.0 |
| Hatchet Lake | 18.0 | Indian Portage Trail | 7.2 | 25.2 |
| Indian Portage Trail | 25.2 | East Chickenbone Lake | 1.6 | 26.8 |
| East Chickenbone Lake | 26.8 | Daisy Farm Trail | 4.2 | 31.0 |
| Daisy Farm Trail | 31.0 | Mount Ojibway Trail | 1.5 | 32.5 |
| Mount Ojibway Trail | 32.5 | Mount Franklin Trail | 2.8 | 35.3 |
| Mount Franklin Trail | 35.3 | Duncan Bay-Tobin Harbor Passage | 3.4 | 38.7 |
| Duncan Bay-Tobin Harbor Passage | 38.7 | GRT junction at Lookout Louise Trail | 1.4 | 40.1 |