This is such helpful information! Perhaps they will consider adding this level of boat detail to their website.

When I rented, the kayak was over in Rock Harbor, and the marina employee helped me carry it over to Tobin Harbor. I left it on the rack there when I was done.

The only time I camped at Lake Richie was last September. I got the last camp site and ultimately shared it with a couple of other hikers. The evening was pleasant, and the water was drinkable. Usually I'm passing through in the middle of the day so I don't see campers there.

With a 9 am departure ...

To expand on the previous: This is the kayak I rented at the Rock Harbor Marina in 2021. This was before I had much idea about kayaks other than they are used on the water. There were no bulkheads, or foot pegs, or a spray skirt, or proof that I could perform a self-rescue with anything other than ...

If those are the rental kayaks now, they've upgraded their fleet.

What's an audio trap?

Malone: I haven't got the Nat Geo map to hand---is the spur trail from the dock to Siskiwit Falls on it? And is there also a mapped spur that visits the lakelet just upstream from the falls? (I hiked the latter the one time I was at Malone, but---due to not paying maps the attention they deserve ...

I noticed you note a 1 night limit at Washington Creek, but the Greenstone says 3 (in case you don't get a camper cabin).
Malone Bay has nature's jacuzzi! Ask me when the time gets closer...
It does occur to me that you could also do the Malone to Greenstone leg as a day trip out of Malone at the ...

Yeah—even though I wrote both, the wordy version is easier to read. The spreadsheet serves a separate function.

Noted on Pickerel Cove.
Yes, there is a trail on Belle Isle as you describe, but it's not on the map, so I am not obliged to hike it. :)
The Rock Harbor Lighthouse trail is covered on ...

I've had some time lately to contemplate the plans for my Minong thorough hike. A few things have come together:

I talked to my boss about how to take off all the time, and it's doable, as long as I'm back by a certain event.
An idea to paddle the first part of the itinerary next summer, just to ...

Thanks for the report! It's good to hear your firsthand experience. Alas for your phone though--may it rest in peace. And may you have future opportunities for longer trips to the island!

backwoods doc wrote: Sat May 10, 2025 9:05 am Nothing says wilderness experience like good cell access.

I admit to feeling disappointed with the 5G access last fall, because it feels like it's only a matter of time until...

Midwest Ed, you're doing a great job on these animations!

Within the last three years, I've gotten signals at Merritt Lane (enough to make a call) and at Chippewa Harbor (out of curiosity). The signal at Merritt Lane was gone by the next morning.

There's Minong Mine near McCargoe Cove. Near Todd Harbor there's a trail to Haytown Mine, and the area beyond that pit is worth exploring.

I second what torpified said about spending the last night at Rock Harbor. While it's no hardship to make it from Three Mile to Rock Harbor on the morning of ...

I have about 21 nights in my X Mid Pro 2 on Isle Royale, Manistee River Trail, and Glacier National Park all in summer and fall. I have not yet experienced any condensation.