When I did a canoe trip two summers ago, I portaged my canoe from Moskey to Richie and left it overnight while I stayed at Moskey. The next day I hiked to Richie with my portage pack, life preserver, and paddles. I found my canoe just as I had left it, with no issues. As Tom said, the culture at the...

Is there any unwritten code or protocol about solo campers using shelters? All campsites are on a first-come/first-serve basis, whether it is a group or solo party. Like you, I was concerned about this because I often travel solo and try to use proper etiquette (good style) when camping. I really l...

**** any thoughts on lodge vs. cottage? does your opinion change if it's 2 or 4 people? I doubt that I will ever pay $250 a night to sleep in a bed, anywhere. But if it was a special occasion and I was so inclined, I would definitely pick a housekeeping cottage over the lodge. I had the opportunity...

I peruse two different forums on the InterWeb and this one is much more civil than the other one! I also appreciate the civil and humble conversations on this forum. Believe me the other one doesn't come close and I find myself reading it less.

Ingo, I am also planning my first trip there after buying my first canoe this fall. I am tentatively planning on July sometime. It would be neat to cross paths with you as you were helpful when I planned my first canoe trip to Isle Royale. As a side note, my mother lives in Aberdeen, NC and I have d...

If the VII doesn't rent canoes any more, or aren't available, you could try Bear Track Outfitters in Grand Marais, about 35 miles from Grand Portage. I rented from them many years ago, so I'd want to verify they're still OK with taking one out to the island. Bear Track Outfitters will let you rent ...

I echo all the above remarks and will add, the disagreements on Isle Royale being rugged comes from mountaineers and rock climbers. A simple explanation is that the Isle Royale trails are not "technical". There are many areas that could be technical, mainly along north facing ridges, were one to he...

7 June: Voyageur to Chippewa Harbor, walk to McCargoe Cove. It’s sunny, calm, and borderline warm, which makes the boat trip incredibly pleasant. We stop at Daisy Farm to deliver supplies for the ranger, and its friendly denizens give us a kickline sendoff. Torpified, I was on the Voyageur with you...

I just scrolled through our pics and can't believe there aren't any action shots. The only thing I have close to a running pic is Jason working on some feet issues with his spork, really digging into it, but for your sake I refuse to share that one. I have read that anything you pack in a backpack ...

After eight solo trips to the island I am finally taking my dad. He is 77 years old so we will not be backpacking. We are staying in the Washington Creek campsite the first night and one of the cabins for two other nights. I think I made our reservation back in February. My earlier post was incorre...

Thread bump; third year in a row where I've tried to get a reservation for even a single night once work/kid schedules were out and allowed us to book. Nothing during our time on the island. When my wife expressed interest in maybe overnighting on IR (separate from our dad/kid hiking trip) and I qu...

The advice that Ingo offers is spot on! In preparing for my first canoe trip to the island, I gained very good information on this forum from him and several others. They know what they are talking about; they have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share. I echo what Ingo says about Isle Royal...

Anker PowerCore 20100 portable charger (I'm bringing my phone, purely for pictures and keeping track of time) I never waste space or effort to carry a cell phone while backpacking. I go to Isle Royale and hike/climb/backpack in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana to get away from phones. As far as keepi...

I guess my tastes are atypical.

Ingo, you make that sound as if it was a bad thing! It certainly isn't!

If you do go from MN, make sure they are on or near Hwy 61--the addresses can be miles (and miles) out of the way. I've also rented a couple times from Beartrack Outfitters in Grand Marais If you end up arriving at the island via the Voyageur II from Grand Portage, I would strongly recommend rentin...