Search found 123 matches

by Redbad
Fri Sep 09, 2022 1:03 pm
Forum: Transportation & Lodging
Topic: Queen Done For the Season
Replies: 7
Views: 2118

Re: Queen Done For the Season

I had heard that the Queen lost an engine and hit the RH dock hard last Friday. This was all second hand information from passengers on the Ranger who were dropped off at Mott because the RH dock was occupied by the Queen. There is not a lot of excess capacity to transport passengers at this time of...
by Redbad
Sun Apr 03, 2022 4:30 pm
Forum: Canoeing, Kayaking & Fishing
Topic: Itinerary question with an inflatable kayak
Replies: 9
Views: 3713

Re: Itinerary question with an inflatable kayak

I have paddled around ISRO by packraft, both the 5 fingers area (Rock Harbor, Tobin Harbor, Duncan Bay, Belle Isle) and the interior chain of lakes (McCargoe Cove, Chicken Bone lake, Livermore, Lesage, Ritchie, Intermediate, Siskiwit, Whittlesley, and Chippewa Bay). I have an Alpaka whitewater packr...
by Redbad
Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:40 am
Forum: Canoeing, Kayaking & Fishing
Topic: Looking for advice
Replies: 7
Views: 4885

Re: Looking for advice

I would not recommend avoiding the Tobin/Duncan portage by paddling around Blake Point unless there are ideal conditions (no wind/flat waves). I have paddled around Blake Point in less than ideal conditions and have learned from my folly not to do so. Belle Isle is a great campground and well worth ...
by Redbad
Fri Mar 01, 2019 5:00 pm
Forum: Canoeing, Kayaking & Fishing
Topic: What interior lakes would you take in a packraft to fish on?
Replies: 18
Views: 11230

Re: What interior lakes would you take in a packraft to fish on?

I have taken my Alpacka to ISRO on two occasions. It is possible (and safe) to paddle a packraft from Snug Harbor to Moskey Basin (about a 6 hour paddle in a packraft). From Moskey Basin you have access to Lake Ritchie and the other interior lakes. Lake Ritchie Canoe is a great campground, as is Woo...
by Redbad
Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:47 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Three people evacuated
Replies: 12
Views: 7735

Re: Three people evacuated

I am guessing based on the map plots that the 3 were on the Minong between NLD and Washington Creek. Tough stretch of trail, but you do have to go over 2 Beaver dams and there is (or was) water, albeit highly silted and difficult to filter, feet from the trail in several places. Are the impoundments...
by Redbad
Mon Aug 06, 2018 8:49 am
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: 10 days / 9 night food plan
Replies: 12
Views: 10155

Re: 10 days / 9 night food plan

When I backpacked the Minong and Greenstone in 2011 (14 days), I did a food drop at the Windigo Ranger station by mailing myself food (Windigo serves as a post office and the Ranger there is the resident postmaster. Mail is delivered by the Voyager II). It really does save packweight. From talking t...
by Redbad
Mon Jul 23, 2018 2:25 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Gaiters?
Replies: 6
Views: 4245

Re: Gaiters?

Gaiters are really useful on the Hatchett Lake - Windigo stretch of the Greenstone (and the stretch from Mt. Franklin to Lookout Louise), where the trail is flanked with head high foliage which will get wet and will in turn make you wet. Boots and socks stay drier with gaiters in these conditions. O...
by Redbad
Sat Apr 28, 2018 9:40 am
Forum: Canoeing, Kayaking & Fishing
Topic: Gear/Tips for fishing Isle Royale
Replies: 7
Views: 14385

Re: Gear/Tips for fishing Isle Royale

The campgrounds with docks do give access to Lake Superior waters and while I have not caught fish from them, I have seen folks catch pike from the McCargoe Cove dock and Lake Trout from the Daisy Farm dock. Shore fishing from Chickenbone (Chickenbone West Campground) is possible but it will involve...
by Redbad
Wed Mar 28, 2018 9:27 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: What are you spending your REI dividend on? 2018 Edition
Replies: 23
Views: 13918

Re: What are you spending your REI dividend on? 2018 Edition

I bought a ResQLink+. While I hope never to have to use it, it does ease the minds of folks back home.
by Redbad
Wed Mar 28, 2018 9:22 am
Forum: Canoeing, Kayaking & Fishing
Topic: Canoe Route/General Advice
Replies: 9
Views: 6559

Re: Canoe Route/General Advice

I have done much of that route. It is very doable. BUT September is a very dynamic month weather wise. Storms on Lake Superior will affect both your ability to get to ISRO (the ferries will not run if waves on Lake Superior are 10 or more feet in size (I have been weathered in in September); weather...
by Redbad
Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:26 am
Forum: Canoeing, Kayaking & Fishing
Topic: Any recent trips to Sargent Lake?
Replies: 5
Views: 4955

Re: Any recent trips to Sargent Lake?

In 2013 I did not get into Sargent. Ended up doing the center lakes by packraft. In 2016 I packrafted in McCargoe and looked at the area around the Sargent Lake outlet stream to recon a trip to Sargent. The logistics are difficult. There is no established trail and the outlet stream has multiple bea...
by Redbad
Wed Jul 19, 2017 12:00 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Rock Harbor to Windigo in 2.5 days on Labor Day Weekend - Advice on Itinerary
Replies: 18
Views: 10689

Re: Rock Harbor to Windigo in 2.5 days on Labor Day Weekend - Advice on Itinerary

For planning purposes, you should plan on around 1.5 miles per hour. Day 2, you will be spending time climbing up to the Greenstone, so your pace will drop. Also keep in mind that your mileage does not include the mileage from the Greenstone to SLD (and back). Could be a very long day of hiking -- b...
by Redbad
Mon Jul 17, 2017 2:35 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Trail planning, early August
Replies: 6
Views: 3603

Re: Trail planning, early August

Your itinerary is very doable. The shelters on ISRO are 24 or so inches off of the ground and are on platforms. 3 sides are paneled; the 4th is screened. There is a spring loaded door for entry/exit. Please do not let the door slam shut. This includes the outhouses. ISRO is unlike many other Nationa...
by Redbad
Fri Jul 07, 2017 9:49 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Sleeping Bag
Replies: 4
Views: 3345

Re: Sleeping Bag

Clear skies and a north wind can make it dip into the upper 30s to low 40s, especially on the north side, even in August. Bring the warmer bags or bring additional thermal layers and a wool hat and thick wool socks.
by Redbad
Wed Jul 05, 2017 10:05 am
Forum: Canoeing, Kayaking & Fishing
Topic: Trying to plan a first time canoe/portage trip
Replies: 19
Views: 9364

Re: Trying to plan a first time canoe/portage trip

Lake Ritchie canoe is around a mile or so (as the crow flies) west of the Lake Ritche campground. Canoe flotation device: while this is up to you, you really should be prepared to be able to self rescue anywhere on ISRO. Depending on how you will be getting to the chain of inland lakes -- paddling d...