Some folks will bring their food in their tents. We go to other areas and the chance of having food odors in my tent from previous trips to draw a bear's keen nose, keeps me from doing that. I used to keep food in the tent, but have started hanging when not in a shelter, for John's reason. (when no...

Also through the lodge, catch a ride on the sightseeing cruise on Tues/Thurs to Hidden Lake for $16.
http://www.isleroyaleresort.com/sights (at bottom of page)

Good insights! Glad you were able to adjust and have a good trip. I would say No cotton clothing, without exception, however. I have and will continue to carry my Nikon DSLR, however, but that is important to me and one of the reasons I go (I only carry 1 lens though, 28-200mm). My spreadsheet has m...

The links are awsome and the pictures have me chomping on the bit to stop planning and leave already. Just to add fuel to the fire :D, here's some more pics from a McCargoe to R.H. paddling trip that includes Belle Isle and the Five Fingers area. http://moskeybasin.com/Isle_Royale/IR_Pics_2009.html

Ahhh, my dream is to sail Isle Royale some day, but not sure it will ever happen. Been thinking about your desire to "camp out in the wild". I'm not sure about leaving unattended boats overnight at a dock or anchored out (both from the NPS policy and weather points of view), but if that wo...

Personally I enjoy boats (pretty much any kind), and taking the Voyageur II around the island and seeing the island from the water perspective. Took the seaplane last year for the first time and loved that too--would have loved a longer trip the length of the island :). There's also day hiking and o...

No, you won't get there in time to make the Queen. The Voyageur II gets in around 3:00 CDT (4 EDT), and Queen leaves at 2:45 EDT. But yes, there is a campground at Rock Harbor, so no problem there.

I don't think one can say that Royale Air Service is unreliable, but rather that weather is! And yes, the plane is more susceptible to weather than the boats. As with all things I.R., be flexible and the folks who get you there and back will do whatever they safely can given the situation.

Looks like a lot of weight for water needs. I recently got a Platypus GravityWorks filter and love it. It's 11 oz all up, you get 4 liters of storage, or 8 liters if you refill the dirty bag too. I use a 2 liter Platy with hose on the trail, so for < 1 lb I take care of all my water needs with effor...

"Like!"

"Any restrictions?" Absolutely! Minimally were you could land. A call to the park service office should quickly answer whether it's even feasible or not (and the only way to get definitive answers).

5 days is better . From Lake Richie, go through Intermediate to Siskiwit to Wood Lake for an extra night. It's a great spot and you get the sunset across Siskiwit. Then up to Chippewa Harbor through Whittlesey (or paddle down to Malone). Or simply layover for a day--whatever your preference!

In that case I'd go with my first suggestion across the inland lakes. Assuming the 4 days include the boat rides, here' what I'd consider: Option A: 1st night: McCargoe. You arrive in the afternoon and have time for a hike up to the Minong Mine, or enjoy a paddle in McCargoe Cove. McCargoe is very p...

Hi Dawn, Welcome to the forums. A couple of things that would help to know is (a) are you planning to come from the U.P. or from Grand Portage, and (b) what experience do you have both paddling and portaging? My favorite suggestion, coming over on Voyageur II from Grand Portage, is from McCargoe Cov...

I haven't done it, but I like it! Well, I have to, it's the exact same trip I'm doing this summer, except with an additional stop at Island Mine. I've mostly paddled on the island, so it's time to see more of the interior and do the western Greenstone.