Sorry to hear that. Things go fast, and faster nowadays.

Let me know if you have Porkies questions. That park is really my first love (and I've cabin-camped there many, many times).

It also sounds like a lot of my decision making is going to be an on the fly decision when we arrive. I remember from the last time that I was there that you have to have an itinerary but unlike other parks, you are not required to stick to your itinerary. You'll tell a ranger what your intended it...

McCargoe is a nice place and has one communal fire pit, which is a rarity on the island. On the other hand, It can be much busier than West Chickenbone, especially depending on when you are there relative to a Voyageur II stop. On the third hand, it has shelters, which can be reallllly nice if the w...

As for moose, time of day can make a big difference. Get up early and hit the trail, and you'll be luckier. On our first trip, my wife and I were hiking the same itinerary as another couple. They would get up at sunrise and head out quickly. We would sleep in at least another hour and putter around ...

Thank you, this was a lovely TR and just what I needed today. I was amazed at how many people I saw when we drove through there in mid September. I've never seen the parking areas so overflowing! How did you like the tripod? I've tried just about every "lightweight" camp chair in existence...

The park has mysteriously added a new webcam just now! It's on the Mt. Ojibway tower and is the first one in the list here: Isle Royale webcams. Looks like it's pointing west.

That's a lovely plan, and I think you've hit many of the high points that can be seen from Rock Harbor. Some details: - It sounds like you're planning to stay at the lodge, which will be fine but is plenty expensive for fairly basic accommodations -- it's the price of running a hotel on a remote isl...

No bear bags -- you'll even be advised against this in your LNT orientation. No bears, and few trees that have appropriate limbs for bear bags. You do need to watch out for other wildlife (foxes, mainly) who will raid anything left sitting out, including boots and food! So, keep food in plastic bags...

Bob's Butcher Block (Jenison and Holland, MI -- Grand Rapids area) has amazing hunter's sausage that will happily survive un-refrigerated for a week or more. I've never been a fan of tough jerky, so I've searched for a sausage that could substitute for it. We found a number of options, but Bob's is ...

I read a lot of articles about changes to hunting seasons this year, but the one I linked is one of the very few that mentioned the expanded firearm options. Even the DNR website (a place I would think would be a good place to learn about these sorts of things) doesn't have anything obvious.

Nice trip log, thanks! My eye's been on the trail and especially that yurt (I'm a sucker for those, especially in the Porcupine Mountains). I've never visited the area yet. It sounds like that might be a good spring trip. I learned something about deer seasons recently that I really wish I'd known a...

Yeah, I'll rearrange my original advice: It would be better to pair the down jacket with your rain coat. Bring a fleece too! Last year on my May trip, I was at 3 Mile and got caught in one of those offshore breezes that Ingo described. I put on ALL of my layers, made some hot tea, and snuggled into ...

A third voice saying: Keep the headnet! Late June will likely be big bug season. If you haven't met Isle Royale/the Upper Peninsula's major pest, the Black Fly, you will. I would also bring a fleece instead of the down jacket, and/or plan to pair the down jacket with the rain coat in case of cold we...

"Canoodling" is a uniquely Dr. Torpified term, at least on this board! (We have the same general profession, although I like the way Dr. T describes it: "13th to 25th grade teacher".) I did write a blog post describing the glories of the Minong Mine, but many others have sung tha...

Welcome to the forums! (I think I might have suggested you come here from the Facebook group.) I also strongly recommend doing at least a short backpacking trip somewhere else before coming to Isle Royale. Learn your gear (wherever it comes from), discover what works and what doesn't, see what you f...