Search found 49 matches

by egraetze
Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:58 am
Forum: Transportation & Lodging
Topic: Royale Air Service flights
Replies: 6
Views: 4554

Re: Royale Air Service flights

We flew last year mid July. Our plan was to fly to Windigo for a trip the entire length, then take the Ranger III back. The flight was scheduled for 8 AM on a Saturday. It was delayed all morning due to fog at both Windigo and Rock Harbor backing us up, including other later scheduled flights. While...
by egraetze
Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:10 pm
Forum: History
Topic: The Edmund Fitzgerald
Replies: 13
Views: 11786

Re: The Edmund Fitzgerald

Are you sure you aren't thinking about the Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie? They had one of the lifeboats. That was a very interesting museum to visit, and I thought more worthwhile than the one at Whitefish Point.
by egraetze
Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:45 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Typical pack weight
Replies: 15
Views: 11873

Re: Typical pack weight

On my first trip to the island in '86, we met up with a friend the second to last day. He previously was a trail worker for a number of years and indicated that he was always hungry while working. Given this, he brought canned goods, fresh foods, and heavy cookware on the island for this first retur...
by egraetze
Thu Sep 22, 2011 8:27 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Typical pack weight
Replies: 15
Views: 11873

Re: Typical pack weight

The end result for 3 in our party was a starting weight of 45 lbs each for my son and I, and 35 lbs for my daughter. This included all food and 2 liters of water each at the start. The end weight for my son was 39 (he had the tent), 33 for me (some of the food) and unknown for my daughter (who had t...
by egraetze
Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:42 am
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: Trip Report 7/15 to 7/23, Windigo to Rock Harbor
Replies: 7
Views: 4724

Re: Trip Report 7/15 to 7/23, Windigo to Rock Harbor

I meant to post it sooner, but just finished up typing from my notebook a couple days ago. The report should be useful for some, or at a minimum entertaining. It's only been 3 weeks since the end of my trip. Not like it's been 3 years. Trees, rocks, trails, camps, transportation and appreciation of ...
by egraetze
Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:00 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: Trip Report 7/15 to 7/23, Windigo to Rock Harbor
Replies: 7
Views: 4724

Re: Trip Report 7/15 to 7/23, Windigo to Rock Harbor

The kids loved the island. This was with my 21 year old daughter and 20 year old son. My daughter has wanted to apply for the artist in residence program there, so it was great for her to see it. My son is always up for adventure. The trip was awesome for both. Would love for my daughter to get up t...
by egraetze
Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:07 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: Trip Report 7/15 to 7/23, Windigo to Rock Harbor
Replies: 7
Views: 4724

Trip Report 7/15 to 7/23, Windigo to Rock Harbor

A bit lengthy, but I enjoyed reading these prior to my trip so I imagine others may feel the same, and lessons learned may be of interest to some....... Friday, 7/15: Drove the 10 hours with my 2 older kids up to the Arcadian Motel, which is just by the Houghton Airport. We picked up subs in Marquet...
by egraetze
Fri Jul 29, 2011 10:08 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Hidden Lake to Rock Harbor on foot
Replies: 7
Views: 5373

Re: Hidden Lake to Rock Harbor on foot

Taxi fee seems pretty steep. We were at Rock Harbor at the end of our trip exactly one week ago. We rented a canoe for 4 hrs, and paddled the Tobin Harbor to the very end, including a stop at the Hidden Lake dock and hike up to Lookout Louise. The view to the north at the lookout is incredible. Plan...
by egraetze
Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:52 am
Forum: Weather and Bugs
Topic: Starting to worry!
Replies: 14
Views: 8952

Re: Starting to worry!

Stable flies are there particularly along the water. They were often present, but not really all that bad last week.
by egraetze
Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:43 pm
Forum: Weather and Bugs
Topic: Starting to worry!
Replies: 14
Views: 8952

Re: Starting to worry!

Off topic: StewartFip - Plenty of down trees on the Greenstone between S. Desor and Hatchet. Also, very overgrown in that section so expect to get soaked if you walk through it early day or after a rain. Windigo to S. Desor, Hatchet to Todd, and Todd to McCargoe all legs, no trees down.
by egraetze
Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:42 am
Forum: Weather and Bugs
Topic: Starting to worry!
Replies: 14
Views: 8952

Re: Starting to worry!

I went up last week expecting the mosquitoes to be gone. What we experienced were relatively bad mosquitoes all day long along the Greenstone from Windigo to Todd Harbor, through Hatchet, and the worst level of mosquitoes I ever experienced in my life from Todd Harbor to McCargoe (during a morning h...
by egraetze
Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:11 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Water filter recommendation?
Replies: 51
Views: 41604

Re: Water filter recommendation?

All water that we filtered was very clear, but even with clear water the pump would need cleaning after 2 or 3 liters. On a side note, one of the lifelong residents of the island gave a presentation at Rock Harbor. He said until about 15 years ago their drinking water was simply drawn from 40 feet d...
by egraetze
Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:05 pm
Forum: Transportation & Lodging
Topic: Seaplane flammable restriction information
Replies: 4
Views: 3823

Re: Seaplane flammable restriction information

The person who answered my questions from Royale Air was very helpful and clear in response. This, it turns out, is the wife of the owner. She seemed very clear and accomodating in making our flight arrangements. The pilot, though, was not very accomodating. He seemed to want to run things to his co...
by egraetze
Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:59 am
Forum: Transportation & Lodging
Topic: Parking near the Ranger III in Houghton
Replies: 3
Views: 3460

Re: Parking near the Ranger III in Houghton

Parking is right next to the dock. No charge.
by egraetze
Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:41 am
Forum: Wildlife
Topic: Poison ivy?
Replies: 4
Views: 4089

Re: Poison ivy?

Fortunately no sign of poison ivy. We went from Windigo to S. Desor, to Todd, to McCargoe. The only major blowdowns were between S. Desor and Hatchet. There were at least 30+ in that stretch, but I didn't count. Fortunately all had a path established around them.