isle royal

“To any one that has been to isle royal national park in michigan, I'm wondering where the best trails are.”

“all of them!
(seriously)”

“I agree with le Subtil, mostly. Do a search for Isle Royale. We've had this conversation before. You'll get some good advice.”

“Jim Dufrense (I think that's how its spelled) has written a pretty good book about IR.

But LS is right. :)”

“And it's called "Isle Royale National Park foot trails and water routes". His name is spelled DuFresne.

All the trails are beautiful, but you must take care to make sure you don't stay at East Chicken Bone Lake campground, it is horrible!

If you end up at Chippewa Harbor, walk the edge of the lake to the left of the camp. You'll eventually come across an old schoolhouse, from ages ago, complete with desks and chalkboard. There was a book written about teaching in that schoolhouse. I think it's called "Diary of an Isle Royale SchoolMarm" or something.

The copper mine along the rock harbor trail fascinates me. I can't imagine how, ages ago, the Natives broke through all the rock for the copper.

There're little treasures all over the island. DO get the book by Jim DuFresne, it helps immensely when you plan out your trip.”

“the loop loop on the west end is less crowded and good for a four or five nighter. the minong trail is even less crowded.”

“I've loaned all my books/maps to my sister-in-law who will be doing the Isle in August. So I don't have specifics.

The only trail that was PAINFUL was the trail on the south side of the island west of Daisey Farm. Pretty rocky--I think my wife was going to divorce (or worse) me on that leg. Lots of rocky, ankle twisting stuff, and lack of trail markings.”

“you have to keep a close eye out for the rock cairns. they can be tricky to spot. most of the island is rocky and ankle twisty.”

“I, too, endorse the guidebook and searching TT for past threads. I know on one of those threads there was a link to a good trip report with good pictures. There are some pics of my visits to IR at my spot on Phil's photo page.

Yeah, the trail going southwest from Daisy Farm to Moskey Basin can be distressing at times as you play "Where's Waldo" with the cairns. Not to mention the slope to many of the rock face crossings.

While I haven't traversed it, those I've spoken with who have say the Minong Ridge Trail on the north side of the island, from McCargo Cove to Windigo, is the toughest. Rocks, beaver floodings, ups and downs, swamp, etc. make it the least used trail.”

“I was never a fan of Where's Waldo with the cairns either.”