Last update:  17-NOV-2008

Isle Royale Michigan / Pukaskwa National Park, Canada

We spent 5 days out on Isle Royale.  We left from Copper Harbor, Michigan on the  Isle Royale Queen III.
We stayed in the Rock Harbor Lodge on the American Plan which included three meals a day.  The food 
was good but, after a full day of hiking I could eat almost anything.  We had our lunches boxed each 
day so we could be out on the trail at lunchtime.  This was not a cheap place to visit. For the two of
us with hotels on each end, the ferry trip, ranger program trips for five days it came to over $1400.00.
I would definitely go back but even later in the season as the bugs were bad in some places even though
It was JUL 26-30. 

We ended up seeing a total of five moose in the 25+ miles of hiking that we did.  The weather was dry but a bit
warm.  We were getting a kick from the comments on the heat as it was cool by Maryland standards. The day we
returned to Copper Harbor it was 97 degrees and air conditioning is not that common in Northern Michigan.



Ranger Programs that we went on:

Hidden Lake / Look out Louise       Cost $9.25 each

Description: A park ranger guides this 2 mile round trip walk past Hidden Lake up 320 feet to Lookout Louise
Following a 4 mile boat tour on the MV Sandy to the trailhead.  View Ontario and the North shore of Isle Royale.
Return with the group or bring a lunch and hike the 10.2 miles back to Rock Harbor. We ended up taking the hike
Back with a 2 mile side trip to Mt. Franklin.

Views from Lookout Louise Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is easily seen across the lake in Canada.

A old Moose Antler laying along the Greenstone Ridge Trail

Looking West and North West from Mt. Franklin Elevation 1074 (Lake elevation 601)
It was so clear that you could see Thunder Bay

One of the many bridges over the wet areas on the island. The trails that we went on
were in excellent shape.  

North Side Cruise / Minong Mine      Cost $15.00 each

Description: Cruise two hours each way along the many harbors and bays of Isle Royale's north shore
Pass Blake Point and Amygdaloid Island, with a stop at Bell Isle on the return trip. A National Park
Service guide may be available to lead a 2-mile walk from McCargoe Cove to the historic mine. Hikers
Can trek back to Rock Harbor via a 15 mile trail.

We considered the walk back as the weather was great. But after the 15 miles of hiking the day before
We ended up taking the boat back. One person did walk back and we saw her at 9:30PM limping back into
Rock Harbor.At that point we were happy we did not try it.

Looking into the Minong Mine

We hiked up to Pine Mountain (elevation 927)
Looking West and North West towards Canada

Looking North East towards the fire tower on Mt. Ojibway (Elevation 1130) and to Mt. Franklin

Looking South East towards Todd Harbor and Lake Harvey

Approaching Belle Isle for a quick stop on the way back to Rock Harbor

Edisen Fishery / Rock Harbor Lighthouse      Cost $9.25 each

Description: Visit a historic commercial fishery with resident fishery demonstrator and take a quarter
Mile walk to the oldest lighthouse (1855) on Isle Royale

Passing through Middle Island Passage and approaching the Rock Harbor Lighthouse 

Approaching the Edison Fishery

Views from the top of the lighthouse looking South

The Resident of the fishery that spends the summer here catching fish for the restaurant at Rock Harbor Lodge 

One of the wooden grave markers between the fishery and the lighthouse

Looking at Rock Harbor from a hill about the fishery.  It's 3 miles back to the lodge

Around the Lodge

Scoville Point was the easiest hike from the lodge.  About 4 miles round trip to a rocky (very buggy) point.
The first time that we walked down here the black flies were so bad that you could not stop even with 100% Deet

Looking across from the point you could see the cabins on Minong Island

Other views from Scoville Point

Wildlife

In the Rock Harbor Lodge area every night a number of fox would be roaming around
looking for handouts. We also had a moose come through one night.

We were determined to get closer to a moose so every night we would head out Stool Trail
Towards Scoville point looking for our subject. We also saw an number of foxes along the way.

The last night of our stay we found what we were looking for.  A good size bull moose.

Some views around the harbor.  From the docks looking across the harbor.

The Ranger III the largest ship owned by the Park Service.  Brings all of the food and fuel to the Island.

The view that we had from the room. And the views from the balcony

A short walk over to the sea plane landing area along Tobin Harbor gives you a good view
To the west to watch the sunset

A last look at the Lodge heading the 56 miles back to Copper Harbor.

Observations about the trip.

This was the first and last time that I will stay in the developed areas of the Island.
The next time we will explore the Windigo area from Minnesota. No complaints and I had
A great time. I just feel that if you want to have a true Isle Royale experience and have
A chance too see some wolves, the southern end is where you need to go.

I forgot about the sunset times this far north in the late summer.  Brought Gen-3 NV equipment
but it did not get dark enough till 11:30 to use it.

If you are a news nut like I am make sure that you bring a radio No TV, radio, Newspapers
on the Island. I overheard a number of people saying that their cell-phones did not work.
I know that many people love this isolation and I do to a point but, I do like to hear something.

Visit the Official  Isle Royale homepage.

A very interesting park.  Looking at the Wild Shore of Lake Superior was very impressive. It was easy
To imagine being along Oregon or Washington with the rocks and the wave heights.

We camped here and I encountered a large black bear while walking to the restrooms. The bear ran one way
As I bugged out the other way.... The campground had nice warm showers and was very well kept.
If I was ever in this area again I would definitely stay here again.