Two Day Trip with Kids

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mbpg
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Two Day Trip with Kids

Post by mbpg »

Hello, and thanks for reading.

We will be traveling to I.R. from Copper Harbor next week with our kids, ages 8 and 15. We are staying in a cabin at Rock Harbor and want to make the most of our limited time. This will be our first visit.
We are considering the following:
-A day paddle to an inland lake(s) or wherever. We are not afraid of portages, but would want to keep them on the shorter side considering that the 8 year old won't be too much help in this department.
-Some fishing, via charter, or on our own during a paddle or hike.
-Making use of the water taxi for either a cool hike or a canoe paddle.

Any tips and advice will be greatly appreciated! We will barely be able to scratch the surface, we know, but would love to hear what others recommend!

Thank you!

-mbpg
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Re: Two Day Trip with Kids

Post by JerryB »

Enjoy! Do not miss the Stoll Trail. It is a day hike out of Rock Harbor--maybe five miles round trip. Absolutely beautiful.
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Re: Two Day Trip with Kids

Post by Tom »

Welcome to the forum, mbpg!

A couple of thoughts:

A day paddle to an inland lake(s) or wherever.
Anybody can paddle an inland lake, but few can say they've paddled Superior, and you're staying at the lodge. Tobin Harbor is protected from most winds, why not paddle that, instead? Besides, it's a bit of a haul (taxi or otherwise) to get to an inland lake that can be reached by portage. I'd shoot to paddle Tobin or Rock Harbor if you want some canoe time.

Some fishing, via charter, or on our own during a paddle or hike.
Unless you're portaging and paddling over to say, Whittlesey or Wood Lakes, your fishing success might be better if you used the services of a charter and the captain that comes with. There is a lot of water out there, and they are more likely to know where things are biting, and on what. Provided you have the license, there is no harm in dragging a lure while you're paddling about the harbor, though.

Making use of the water taxi for either a cool hike or a canoe paddle.
I suppose the water taxi could get you and a canoe to Chippewa Harbor, which is a great paddle, but they would also probably need to get you back. An awesome hike, if you have the time and energy, and some limited gear (enough water, or a filter, etc) would be to have the water taxi drop you at Hidden Lake (off Tobin Harbor) and you hike back to Rock Harbor - Passing Monument Rock, Lookout Louise, Mt. Franklin, and getting a great perspective of what hiking on the isle is like.
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Re: Two Day Trip with Kids

Post by Ingo »

1. I second the Stoll Trail hike. Must do!
2. A day paddle to the inland lakes isn't very feasible (10 mile paddle, 2 mile portage, then reverse). But you should paddle to the Hidden Lake dock in Tobin Harbor and hike up to Lookout Louise. (weather permitting of course). And if that's not enough, then paddle back past the lodge and down towards the end of Tobin Harbor. Don't go past Hidden Lake, however, because it becomes exposed to Lake Superior.
3. The tour boat (MV Sandy) goes different places on different days. Check with the lodge when you check in. Passage Island is very cool and it's the only way to get there without your own boat. The Edison Fishery and lighthouse are also great.

Have a great trip!
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Re: Two Day Trip with Kids

Post by Midwest Ed »

As mentioned above, The MV Sandy has trips to several places scheduled every day (usually two different trips). Check out page #4 the NPS newsletter The Greenstone. One thing about two of the trips is they are OK with you walking back. This is true for Hidden Lake/Lookout Louise and the Edisen Fishery where they will drop you at Daisy Farm. I'm not sure of the charges for kids so it might be cheaper to use the water taxi, but then you'd miss the fishery, lighthouse and maybe meeting the Petersons at the Bangsund cabin.
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Re: Two Day Trip with Kids

Post by mbpg »

Thank you all so very much for the input. Planning our U.P. adventure has been an adventure in itself. There is so much to see and do, and we want to do it all! We have made some tough decisions. Here is the tentative plan for the I.R. portion:

Thursday: arrive from Copper Harbor. Settle in and then do the Stoll Trail hike.
Friday morning: paddle Tobin Harbor to Hidden Lake dock. Look for elusive moose at Hidden lake :-). Hike up to Lookout Louise and have a picnic.
Friday afternnon/evening: rent a motor boat and go to the Edison Fisher/Lighthouse or, take Lodge excursion
Saturday morning: whichever we don't do on Friday afternoon. ? 2:45 ferry back to Copper Harbor


This forum is great and is most helpful. Thanks to all for keeping it going and for the helpful responses!
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