I have a buddy who has backpacked there a few times and was told that the low visitor numbers are due to the fact that the only highway access is through the National Recreation Area, not the park (and it requires a serious hike to get into the park). All the drive in campsites along Hwy 20 are in ...

I have seen a number of articles over the years that say that Isle Royale was the least visited NP outside AK. However recently I've seen it drop to 3rd in that list with American Samoa and North Cascades having lower attendance. I looked up the stats for these. For the recent years of 2019, 20, and...

Thanks for the ideas. I recall looking into the voyager option once and found its schedule didn't mesh well with the Ranger III. When looking at maps, my plan would be to do the RH trail one way, and Tobin Harbor the other, to get both. On out last trip in 1984, we took the Voyager to daisy farm and...

Thanks. In the itineraries I have been building, I can easily envision ways to modify them on the fly, including adding a zero if necessary. But I still have to submit a daily plan for the backcountry permit, correct? WRT getting a spot at a busy campground, I was assuming that as a solo tenter, I w...

I'm thinking on doing an 8 day solo backpacking trip to IR in July or early Aug. I would probably do a round trip from Rock Harbor ex Houghton on the RIII. I have previously hiked 3 days on the AT in Shenandoah NP, 5 days on the AT in Central VA, 4 day traverse of Pictured Rocks NL, and a 5 day Herm...

dcclark wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 2:06 pm...Q3: When you make your reservation, you'll have a choice of times (depending on what's still available)...

Thanks. The reservation form has no times to choose from. So is that done later?

...And for your original question about trails, you won't find any of the trails outside the developed areas wheelchair navigable in either place--and I'm not sure it's even allowed as there's a general rule of no wheeled devices... ... Again, technically, wheeled conveyances aren't allowed outside...

I'm working on the logistics of a 7 day backpacking trip to IR next summer. My plan is to drive to HH (500 mi), spend the night somewhere, take a morning Seaplane flight to RH, backpack 7 days, fly back to HH the morning of day 8, and drive home. I understand flights times are all weather dependent....

Thanks. Sounds like its going on my Christmas wish list. Looking at the Sea to Summit mosquito net.

For which months, if any, do experienced IR backpackers feel a bug head net is desirable or necessary? I'm considering a week-long round trip backpacking trip out of Rock Harbor. It could potentially be sometime from June through mid August.

To me, the most obvious explantion consistent with your observations is not that there is a concerted effort to dismiss the interests of the backpackers but rather a symptom of park rangers having to make tough decisions due to understaffing across the NPS. My guess is they can pick out the experien...

I had 18$ to spend. I got a lightweight coffee cup, a beams and rice dinner and a granola bar (going to the Grand canyon next month). I got 8 cents left. Hmmm

Very nice. I am planning on pursuing photography as a retirement activity (probably nature and travel photography mostly). Can you reveal a bit of your process? Hardware and software?

Darn Tough Microcrew Cushion. Rubbing your feet with a salve (I use Burt's Bees) will help make your feet a little waterproof. The lubrication helps with blisters.

What are sig waves and ocnl waves?