Passing through remote and rugged backcountry, backpackers first began hiking the trail after it "was cut in the mid-1960's as a 'fire manway,' a route firefighters could use to access the isolated northern half of the island." It quickly gained popularity among hikers, which led the park to "maintain the route as a primitive trail with as few markers, bridges, and boardwalks as possible." That alone, the author continues, is "the appeal and the challenge of Minong Ridge."

For ambitious trail runners seeking a single-day attempt at the near-marathon route, the largest hurdle for planning is logistics. Not only is Isle Royale only accessible by private boat, ferry, or seaplane, the eastern terminus for Minong Ridge is a remote campground far from a visitor center. Transportation between the campground and Rock Harbor must be arranged, though it's up to you on which direction you run the trail. One solution could be to camp at the cove before or after your run, with a friend or family member responsible for transporting the gear to/from Rock Harbor.

Another alternative is to continue on either Chickenbone or Indian Portage Trail to Greenstone Ridge. This allows runners the option to continue to Rock Harbor by land, though the additional mileage and added difficulty of the route should not be underestimated. Done this way, overnight gear would be wise in case you have to spend the night on the trail for any reason. Keep in mind, a similar route takes hikers upwards of 5 days to complete.

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