Most of my trips have been in mid May. It's a great time to go for all the reasons johnhens mentions. I'd just add that I've been able to rely on getting a shelter every night and have left the tent at home. Maybe I've been lucky. I do have a tarp and small ground cloth just in case, though. Watch ...

I always use USNO's site: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php I'll have to try that one. I've been happy using http://www.sunrisesunset.com/USA/NationalParks/ . And, going to the site to grab the URL just now, I see that you can actually just select Isle Royale NP from a dropdown list ...

I've never had those problems (and I tried just now), but sometimes my message seems to long and I can't type anymore. Is there a character limit to posts?

The ten least visited national parks are as follows (visitation figures are from 2007): 1) Kobuk Valley, Alaska – 847 2) Lake Clark, Alaska – 5,549 3) American Samoa – 6,774 4) Gates of the Arctic, Alaska –10,942 5) Isle Royale, Michigan – 15,973 6) North Cascades, Washington – 19,534 7) Dry Tortuga ...

Very nice. I guess there is reason to go south of Illinois.

Did the BP oil spill hit that area? How's it doing?

I might use mine toward a new GPS unit. I'd like one that I can put imagery on as well as contour maps. I've got nicely done 1:24K topos of Michigan and Wisconsin on my Garmin GPSmap 60SCx but can't add imagery. (FYI: at the time I got the 1:24K work, Garmin offered no 24K maps for my Garmin. These ...

I go out of my way to support local businesses when I head to the island and back. Houghton has a nice shop, Downwind Sports with backpacking gear and an emphasis on canoes, kayaks, etc. Surplus Outlet, also on Sheldon in Houghton has a nice selection of outdoor wear - names you expect like Columbia ...

I'm back from my trip to Keweenaw and ended up staying at the Travelodge in Houghton for 2 nights. Very nice, especially considering the relatively low cost. From the top floor I had a great view of the canal, the lift bridge (1 block away) and the oposite shore (including the ski runs at Mont ...

If I'm at the west end of Brockway, the point with the most spectacular view, I can get a signal when standing on the south side. But I hope this thread doesn't turn into a cell phone discussion - there are other threads on cell phones. Last week, I actually met the guy who is selling the land. I've ...

Get the National Geographic Isle Royale National Park Trail Map - you'll want it when you're on the island anyway and it's the best for looking at trails and terrain. Any portage trail on the map means there's no way to paddle the same route. Spend some time reading the Greenstone newsletter on the ...

There are stretches where you're out in the open and the wind can keep them from bothering you, but it never seemed to me that they were much better in the thickets there than the thickets downhill.

Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me. :) :?: Beautiful pics. No advice on uploading here, I've never tried it. How were the bugs when you went last May? I went in July a while ago and prayed to lose all my blood quickly. It was too hot to cover up, there was no wind and DEET ...

My guess is it's south of Illinois and I don't know much about anything south of Illinois. Do people live south of Illinois?

Thanks, Keweenaw & Ingo. I'm leaving in a day or two (staying elsewhere for 10+ days) and decided to reserve a room at the Travelodge in Houghton on the Canal side, fifth floor. Made the decision based on price and a bath with jets (not a whirlpool, they point out). I haven't stayed there in a while ...

Any feedback on the Super 8 a few blocks east of IR HQ? Looks like it could be a little quieter than many others which hug the main roads. I'm going in two weeks for one night (March, 2012).

Thanks.