Isle Royale

“Don't forget to go back to the big one, Wolves of Minong, by the guy that started the IR wolf studies, and mentor to Rolf I believe.”

“I think I will do that. I have lots of wolves all over my house.Pictures and such.

8)”

“Check out Rolph's wife's story. It's on the internet at

http://forestry.mtu.edu/research/isro/

She told me she wrote it to put a fire under his butt. She wrote it in one night. :o)”

“Thats cool.

I think there is a video also right?

8)”

“Sass and I met Rolf's son Jeremy on IR. Nice kid.

The first time I went to IR in 88 there were around 3000 moose. You saw they EVERYWHERE! By 97 the population was at a low of 600.”

“Sass - What route you takin' on IR?”

“Depends on how long we're on the island. I can tell you the first night will be at Daisy farm. Like to get away from the boat load of folks who choose to do an easy 3 and stay at 3 mile. When we get closer to August and figure out who's going for how long I'll start thinking about it more. I have lots of ideas but I'm not going to choose our route all by myself. If we don't figure it out before we set sail we'll have 4 hours at least with nothing to do but talk about it. =)

I'd really like to see the west side of the island.”

“Chicago”

“I just got my seats reserved for Aug 11 to go to the island and to get back to the mainland Aug 16.

$68.00....8)

Start at Windago and from there have a blast!!!!!

8)”

“I just moved to Michigan in December and am looking for some good backpacking locations. I heard of Isle Royale before moving and I have a tripped planned to North Manitou Island for Memorial Day weekend. Can anyone make any other suggestions for some nice picturesque trips?

Thx much!”

“Where are you at in Michigan, robofsocalif? There are lots of places in both Peninsulas. Watch the Michigan Mountaineers threads, and Crazy Mike has a regular schedule of hikes for his club that include forays into Michigan.”

“If you need any info just give me a ring.

8)

Pekka like the work forays...8)

Cool word...8)”

“......My bad word not work...8)”

“Hi there Robofsocalif! Welcome to Michigan. If you let us know where you're at we can maybe show ya around a bit. There are quite a few Michigan folks on this forum and we do group trips often. Have one planned for March 22nd at Waterloo-Pinkney recreation area in SW MI. Drop me an email if you would like details and to join us perhaps.

Some beautiful Michigan spots to backpack:

Jordan River Pathway
Manistee River Trail
Nordhouse Dunes
Hoist Lakes
Manitou Islands
Pictured Rocks
Isle Royale (by far the best and most beautiful)”

“btw, you can find email addys by clicking on our names.”

“I can't wait untill Aug!!!!!


8)”

“Sass / et. al. -

The Isle IS in my plans. I will most likely be doing it next year, unless something happens and I have enough time to go this year. What I'm looking at is taking the 'Royal Queen to Rock Harbor and stay for one night. The next day, take the Ranger (or whatever the neame is of the one that floats around the island) to Windigo and either hike back to Rock Harbor, or do the Feldtman Ridge. Doing the Feldtman would be the most expensive outta the two cuz of the transportation issue.

The thing I hate about the Isle is that you can only get to certain sides from certian mainland docks. I'd like to see a boat that would go to Windigo from Houghton or Copper. I don't feel like adding an extra day to the trip, each way, just to park in Wisconson and do the west side of the Isle.


Sass - I have some great info on the Isle. I have some campground descriptons for all of them. If you would like what I have, let me know. I'll email it to ya. Also, keep me updated on what your plans are. I'd be interested in how you guys planned it, what was done and how it turned out to help me better prepare for my journey.”

“If the seaplane still flies from Houghton (taking off on the Portage Canal right downtown), I'd recommend it. The extra cost was well worth it and it will take you to whatever end you want and pick you up where you want. On our second trip (the one pictured on Phil's Photo Page entry for me), my brother and I flew to Windigo, did the Greenstone Ridge, and flew out of Rock Harbor. Way cool way to arrive and depart, great views and no seasickness issues on a choppy Lake Superior.”

“I am starting in windago and comming back to windago!

8)

Going to Manitou Island also.

Sweet!!!!”

“Another beautiful backpacking place is the Porcupine Mountains on the Western end of the Upper Peninsula!!”

“Ya know doubt!!!!

That place rocks!!!!!!

8)”

“pekka - I hear ya. Da plane is not an option cuz of cost and I really hate flying. Gives me the willies! But thanks for the suggestion.

Overall, it seems to me that the transportation people have increaced the rates a little this year. One ting I did notice on the map: I saw that the Ranger as paths that float into docks around the Island. Does anyone know if they will drop you off and pick you up there?”

“Laqtis, the really bad thing about the seaplane is that ya only can take 35# of gear. The Voyager II will pick you up and drop ya off all over the island. They're a us mail boat so very regular. We have evn considered having supplies mailed to ourselves on the island. It's an interesting way to see the island too. Get to see all the little houses and such people still live in. We also got to sail around the N tip of the island. There was 6 ft of snow on it and it was 96 degrees on the greenstone ridge that day.

We have Jim Dufresne's book. It has great descriptions of the trails and campsites. What have you got?”

“Three cheers for the seaplane encouraging lightweight BPing!

Riddle: How many Ray Jardines can you pack in the Isle Royale seaplane?”

“Hey Sass 6ft of snow and it was 96 out?

Man thats nutz!

I would have liked to have seen that!

8)”

“96 on the ridge, cold on the water.”

“I bet that was cool looking!

8)”

“Sass - The info I have was collected from the 'net. It's a pretty good hodge bodge of stuff from personal webites to the offical stuff. I'm going to gather some books on the island and try to get away from the maps and tech stuff...”

“Located in beautiful Brownstown, 20-30 minutes south of Detroit just off I-75.

How do you pack for this weather? I woke up one morning and it was snowing and by afternoon was in the 50s, nuts!”

“Layers, many, many layers.”

“I think So. Cal spoiled me, I could hike all year in shorts. If it got too cool in the mountains I'd head to the desert.
Looks like I need to do some shopping, REI, here I come.”

“robofsocailf - A little sayin' we gots 'round here:

Michigan, if you don't like the weather, wait a minute....”

“I was really hoping that this new person was from my neck of the woods oh well. robofsocalif, welcome to our crazy world!”

“Rofofsoca, my typical clothing for this time of year is:

nylon zip-off pants
tights
longsleeve wicking shirt
short sleeve '' shirt
fleece vest
rain shell

All can be combined to keep a gal toasty.

If it's going to be cooler I replace the vest with a 200 weight polartech jacket.

So whatcha doing next weekend? Wanna join us? You could even come out for a dayhike on Saturday if ya don't want to camp with a bunch of crazy axe-murdering strangers. lol”

“robofsocailf,

you can hit the Cabella's at M-50 and U.S. 23, in Dundee. i think that's closer to you than REI in Northville, but REI is a whole lot more fun (IMO!)”

“yeah rob, you should come join us next weekend. check out the thread called Michigan Mountaineers in March.

I promise, we don't bite!”

“The little guy and I are going August 12-18. Windigo to Feldtman Lake loop with a short excursion to the North shore. Was there before, and can't wait to get back! Hopefully we will get the chance to meet some of you.”

“Do you think a 20 degree bag would cut it?
I think I have the clothing covered as I love to snowshoe. I just don't want to freeze my butt off at night.”

“A 20 degree bag will do you fine in all but the depths of winter in Jan and Feb,course I took my -5 down bag the first wknd of Jan this year and was hot so go figure......

Join us ,there are folks from ohio,mi and wisconsin.”

“rob - I agree w/birch. 20 degree bag should be alright for most 'round here. You can always use the little tricks to improve your comfort at night, i.e. eat snickers/gorp/soup/etc just before bed, wear more clothing in your bag.......... stuff like that. In the time that the Isle is open, from what I can tell, it can get cold, but not down right freezed dried.”

“Hey compost pile my club is backpacking that trail the same time you are!!!!

Whats up with that....8)

See ya there.

8)”

“Compost - Please do me a favor and please remember to post your trip report when you get back. I really would like some more first hand info on that section. Thanks in advance!”

“Rob a 20 degree bag is as warm as you'd want it this time of year. Do you have a sleeping pad? Have an extra if not and would gladly bring it for ya if you join us.”

“I will give a detailed report with pictures.”

“Hi Rob!

Welcome to Michigan. Downriver, eh? Just watch out for the Polish chicks in Wyandotte. Hey, if you want to stretch your legs, have you been to Pte. Mouillee? It's about 5 minutes away from you and has a nice 10 or 12 mile perimeter hike. Drive south on Jefferson to Joseph Campau - just north of the Monroe/Wayne County border. Turn left to maps at the headquarters.

I've gotten buzzed by bald eagles there and there is a cool offshore lighthouse. Freighters pass by often. I'll take you out for a little hike there if you'd like. The place just got made an international wildlife refuge. So, they are going to be buying more land and opening an office this summer. All real close.

reformed lurker/Mike”

“Defintely MUCH more to Isle Royale than Rock Harbor - Daisey Farm.

I have always (3 times) flown. The third time we had to fly out a day later because of the fog.

Ran into people who took the boat out of Houghton, and apparently the lake was pretty rough that same day--they were pretty green.”

“I have heard nightmares about the Queen outta CopperHarbor, I've ridin it 4 times in up to 7 ft rollers. Nice ride,like a roller coaster.”

“The last time I was there, most of the people getting off the boat were pukin over the side. Can you imagine 6 hours+ on a boat pukin, and then a good long hike before the day is over? Take the plane.”

“I like the boat. Its a chance to nap,chat with other hikers and anticpate the trip. The queen II outta copper harbor is a better boat for superior. She is a 65ft long deep V hull whereas the Ranger is about 120ft and has a rounded hull which translates into severe pitch and yaw.”

“I've always heard the boat out of Copper Harbor nicknamed the Barf Barge. I just popped some dramimine before we got on, and slept most of the way there.”