Isle Royale Trip Report

“Hello everyone. I got home late Sunday night from a 9 day trip to Isle Royale. Six days on the trail. It was only my second backpacking trip and it was my first solo. I survived with no problems. I didn't bring boots. I wore my Chacos. No blisters, no problem.

The weather was beautiful. The island was beautiful. I met some great people and the talks from the rangers were fascinating! the only thing I didn't like was that I got bored. I would get to camp early afternoon, my body was spent but there was plenty of time to burn before going to bed. I read a book twice and journaled like crazy! I had a couple of the "campgrounds" to myself.

I met a bull moose on the trail one day. He was about 15 feet away and politely paused for a picture.

I heard wolves howling and yelping and making all kinds of racket in the night. I thought this would be cool, but it freaked me out!!

Anyway, all in all a good trip! Thanks to all of you who offered advice.

Feel free to ask me any questions about the island and the trip!!”

“Pictures?”

“I have some. What is the preferred way of posting them?”

“Other people will be able to direct you to some good ones. I use Web-shots and the Picture one on this site.”

“that's great Lucy! i second the motion for webshots.”

“The photo album function for thebackpacker.com is not functioning right now. I think I have an old webshots account and definately snapfish. Let me play around and I will let you know when they are posted.”

“Good job, Lucy. I hiked IR last September and had a gray wolf pose for me about 10-15 feet away while I took his picture. No Moose though:(

What was your starting point? What trails did you hike?”

“

That's the link to my webshots album. Hope it works.
I hiked Rock Harbor to Windigo along the Greenstone Ridge Trail. I read about that, Nimblefoot and saw the picture. I personally am glad that I didn't see a wolf. I have a canine phobia.”

“Great picture of the Moose! Pretty brave going solo at Isle Royale while so new to hiking. Good for you!”

“Very cool 2nd trip. That moose is freakin huge. Glad he cooperated.”

“Great pictures. Thank you, LucyJones.”

“He he, yes, the moose turned and looked right at me, but I wasn't comfortable flashing the camera right in his face.

Niblefoot, brave, or just stupid. I have a tendency to do things a little extreme to make a point. Probably get my a$$ in trouble that way!

I also aquired a trail name. "Sandals". And BTW, when out of uniform, the rangers on IR hike in their Chacos.”

“Cool, thanks for the photos and report.”

“nice pics! Watch out for those moose - they have a habit of being pretty onery at times. Cool shot though - really cool shot.”

“Yay for you, Lucy!!!! I am really impressed and happy for you! No blisters is about the best thing to report after a week on IR.”

“Lucy, a couple of months ago my daughter saw a black bear come into the yard and make a beeline for her dog that was tied to a tree. Without hesitation she went outside , untied Freckles and brought her in the house. The bear was about 15 feet away. Not sure I would have done the same. Brave, stupid or a little of both, who knows.”

“There's a very fine line the divides brave from stupid!”

“Wooo Hooo..thanks for thr TR & the pics!!!...awesome pic of the moose!!!”

“Batting a thousand, off to a great start :)
Cool pics. Thanks”

“ROCK ON LUCY! Well done!

Love your profile comments BTW. You should head a little south and get in on some of our trips (Indy/Chicago, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan group). We have a great time!”

“Great TR! Thanks!”

“What a Moose shot!!!!
That a pretty rare thing!!! I have only seen them twice in the wild!!
Did you fish at all??? I been wanting to go up there and now I have ta go!!!
Maybe sometime in the future!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“Hey Lucy,
Ya better watch out fer Meangreen, I see what he likes about your profile comments!! LOL!!! I ain't the only one thinking that MG!!
Yo dog!!!
See ya later.
Randall
last edited: 8/15/07 5:08:48 PM”

“Randall and Meangreen. I think I know what you're getting at. A story from Graska finally convinced me that I am better off without a "partner" that backpacks. I decided to keep it that way and I can bp with anyone I want!

I did not fish. Kinda wish I would have, but I am not too experienced and I always end up with a hook down the throat. That breaks my heart.

I saw another moose too. Couldn't get a decent picture though cuz my camera kept focusing on the branches between her and I. It was a cow grazing in Washington Creek at Windigo. She was stiking her snout under water and blowing bubbles like crazy. Apparently she is a regular there and the rangers have nicknamed her "Bubbles".”

“LucyJones, great photos! Isle Royale was my first trip as an adult. I wasn't on the island but ten minutes and came face to face with a bull moose on the trail. He may have been 5 feet away. He never stopped eatting the bush he was working on. I nearly had a heart attack! Glad you enjoyed the island. Next time you go try and work in the Minong Ridge trail. It's open and you have wonderful wonderful views.
Thanks for taking the time for a report.”

“Neato! I wanna go!

thanks for the report and photos”

“Down boys! No LucyJones for you!
(Of course if you like tats, Meangrean would be a keeper...) ; )

Welcome back girl! I am glad the trip was a success! I knew you'd do great! Hey! I'll drop you an e-mail, I'm heading down to your end of the state, maybe we could say hi and have a cocktail!”

“Good lord people! LOL! I just liked her "give up" attitude. LOL! Ain't like I was asking her to move in. Sheesh...

RANDALL!!!! Can you do this Island in the winter? Lets hike it in about December when it's colder than balls up there!”

“MG!!
Colder than balls of what??
That maybe something we could do in mid December though, need to think about it!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“Great pics and TR, LJ! Isle Royale is an amazing place. I have hiked in 10 or so states and still find IR to be my fav spot. I am in the early stages of planning another wk there in about a year, thanks for the inspiration.

MG, I believe the island is closed in the winter to all but the NPS and the researchers who periodically fly in and over the island doing the wolf and moose population counts.”

“Birch is right, there's no way to get there unless you wanna walk across Lake Superior. Where you guys from?”

“NPS folks reside in Houghton in the winter. They would come to the Michigan Tech gym/mulitpurpose center to work out. I worked there 3 years in college, saw the same folks winter after winter!

Rolf Peterson still does the wolf/moose surveys. I'm curious how the NPS and the Peterson camp work together.”

“Graska, just give me a call, I'm sure I can find an establishment that serves alcholic beverages in my neck of the woods. Actually there are about 10 in a two block radius of my house. Prime real estate!”

“

"Actually there are about 10 in a two block radius of my house."

Ah, my Wisconsin!”

“He he, that's no exaggeration either!!”

“I was affraid it would be closed. Too bad we couldn't rent sleds and ride out there across the ice. It would be colder than the balls of your choice Randall. Especially screaming across the lake on a snomobile! LOL!”