Isle Royale this May

“I had been hoping to do the Superior Trail this May, but 2 weeks dosen't seem to be enough time to do the whole thing (180+miles)and enjoy it.

I'm considering returning to Isle Royal for a repeat of last May's trip which I thouroghly enjoyed. 12 days on the island, arriving 14 May, departing 25 May. It's pretty empty this time of year, 14 May will be the first boat.

Anyone interested in coming along? I would consider any arrangement, but ideally I'd like to find a person or people who might share camps, not necessarily hike together all day every day.

Solo was fine and I'd do it again, but I think having friends along would be better...”

“Round trip fare is $84 this year plus it's a couple dollars a day for the Feds. Also, I live 5 miles from an international airport. (MBS). Last year I spent 2 days driving up (550 miles), stayed in motels and dayhiked and relaxed. This worked really well in contrast to driving like hell and arriving exhausted.”

“Wish I could go with you Le Subtil but there are two problems. First, I would get back just in time to see my daughters off. They'll be spending the month of June in Maine. I was in the beginning stages of planning a trip there in June but they got nixed due to recent developments.

Take lots of pictures and be sure to stop by for coffee on your way out AND upon your return. I want see pictures and trip reports! Have fun!”

“Le Subtil, Why do they have to schedule the first boat during my finals week? I've been trying to figure out if I can head there around the 20th, though I may have a conference right after I get grades turned in. Iwant to beat the bugs.

Your plan of sharing camps, but separate hiking speeds is a good one. Do you know when the seaplane starts flying in? Doing the Greenstone Ridge trail end-to-end is a nice trip.”

“Le Subtil, you are KILLING us man! Joy and I so much want to go back. Its been 4 years since our last trip there. It will be at least 2 more. I hope you have a super trip, and I really dig your idea about camp sharing but hiking solo. ENJOY!”

“Put me down as a definate probably not, but maybe. the 14th is just after Pioneer Hall closes, I don't know if I'll have any duties that day or the day before or not. If I don't have work, and can find some transportation over there I'll be there in a heartbeat.”

“Okay, here's my plan: Drop Abigail off at Sunshine's house on the way to catch the "Queen". Her girls will be gone, she'll be lonely. She'll need the company! I heard she gets too much sleep anyways! She'll LOVE it! Count me in Le Subtil! ;^)”

“hmmmmmmmm...
Is IR reachable by rowboat?
Seriously.

I was under the impression that it was a ways offshore, but I read a hiking report that mentioned being able to see the entire island from some trail in (Canada?).


I planned to swing-up thru that area last summer, but the calendar would not permit it. I wanna do ALL that region - IR, BWCA, Sup. Tr., etc...
It's not looking too likely this summer, either.”

“Gojo, from the Minnesota/Ontario side I believe it's only 18 miles offshore. From the Michigan side its a lot farther. About 3 1/2 hour boat ride on the Queen from Copper Harbor as I recall. But on a clear day, you can see IR from the scenic lookouts atop Brockway Mountain (it has a road up) near Copper Harbor.”

“IR is 44 miles from Copper Harbor. Indians canoed there to mine copper. I reckon you could row it Gojo,but one question. Ever hear of the Edmund E Fitzgerald? It was an ore boat that was over 700 ft long. She was snapped in two and sunk killing 23 crew in 1975. Anyway like I said you can probably do it...”

“LOL Joy! Feeling the effects of the sleeplessness that accompanies motherhood?! ;o)

It gets better. :o)

BTW, I would love to take care of Abigail!!


gojo, hyperpacker said it well. Besides, you could spend more time hiking on the Island and rent a conoe or kayak when you get there.”

“"Superior its said never gives up her dead when the winds of november come stealin.." Gordon Lightfoot

"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the winds of november come early.." Gordon Lightfoot

Gojo, we will pray for a safe journey my friend,and a quick and painless demise on the big lake they call GitcheeGoomee (SP? any Ojibwa out there please feel free to correct me). Best of luck! LOL!!!!”

“The best onshore view of Isle Royale is from the top of the Sleeping Giant in the Sibley Peninsula of Ontario. I was circling Lake Superior when I was there and on my way to Isle Royale from Grand Portage. I just started jumping up and down when I saw it - exciting.”

“BTW, has anyone ever been to Michipicoten Island in Lake Superior? It's a giant provincial park. I bet it's even wilder than Isle Royale.”

“I think me and my daddy can peddle the leetle bote to the eyeland cuz dogs ain't abel to get on the fairy, prolly. I wanna go there so I can visit my REAL daddy. Know what? My real daddy is a WOOF!”

“Sarabelle:
"Pets
Dogs, cats, and other pets are not allowed within the park boundaries, including pets on boats. Visitors bringing pets to Isle Royale will be required to leave immediately. Pets can disturb wildlife and be a source of disease (such as canine parvovirus), particularly for park wolves."

Quoted from nps site ”

“Sunshine:
"stop by for coffee on your way out AND upon your return"

What, no invite to crash on your floor?”

“What?!
No dogs?!

That is just ok with me!
I did not wanna go to that stinky eyeland no ways!

Know what? I can swim there ALL BY MY SELF if I want to, but I do not want to no more cuz I hate there GUTS!!

I will jus visit at my Cumby Eyeland where I can go and not get yelled at and not get rocks throwed at me and smell ALL the wild aminal butts and walk in the woods and sleep in the woods at that eyeland then!”

“Sarabelle, how do you feel about interracial relationships? My Bruno would like to meet you. He's black (lab) and he loves to hike too! He's never gonna sleep in a tent again though 'cause if he hears a squirrel he goes through the skeeter netting!”

“Le Subtil, I'm afraid to invite anyone over. Everytime I plan something my kids get sick. Here it is Winter Carnival and my kids are sick with the flu. My laundry has just grown exponentially!! Eeek!

Seriously though, I have a very big couch that would be happy to accomodate you. As luck would have it, I'll be done with classes. Plan an extra day for some local hiking!! Is that truck of yours a 4X4? I'll take you out to Keystone Bay on the Keweenaw Point; postcard picture perfect! White sandy beach with a thick forest behind it. A must see. :o)”

“Sarabelle, have your daddy take you to Grand Island National Recreation Area in Lake Superior just off Munising. You just have to be on a leash when on the ferry across. Since the island is open to hunting (it's multiple use area), I'd guess they'd let you roam when you get there. There's bears and grouse and other good things to sniff up. Backwoods camping is okay. Check the GORP site.”