For the park service boat, the Ranger III out of Houghton, it's Jan 2. https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/rangeriii-reservation-instructions.htm From Grand Portage (Voyageur II and Sea Hunter), when their schedule is approved, but I believe it's been in Jan the last couple years: https://www.isl...

I'll definitely double check on the sea plane drop off. The whole ability to do this trip depends on being able to be dropped off at Malone Bay day 1. What I've got in mind is a 10 hour drive, getting on a plane, and then hopefully setting up camp at Malone for the night. I saw the barbless require...

backwoods doc wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2019 2:25 pm

Thanks! So about how far is it from the dock to where we can put the canoe into Chickenbone Lake?

1.2 miles. Gradual uphill, nothing extreme.

They changed the portage some years ago to begin at the dock. When I last went up the creek maybe 15 yrs ago there were 2-3 beaver dams to cross and wasn’t particularly easy in any case. Now there is no identifiable trail from the portage to the creek. I believe they changed it because the creek is ...

Moskey Basin is known for it's sunrises. Three Mile and Daisy Farm too, pretty much anywhere along Rock Harbor. Have always thought I should hike out to Scoville Pt in the dark to get sunrise pics, but haven't done it. For sunsets, Todd and Little Todd campgrounds, as well as Huginnin Cove. Mt Frank...

Drove across the UP earlier this week--great color, somewhat past peak, but still gorgeous.

In the past, I have usually hiked in groups ranging from 4-10 people. I love the outdoors and Isle Royale has been a dream of mine for awhile. The only thing I'm worried about hiking alone is if I'm on the trail and something happens where I hurt myself or get lost. Other than on the Minong, most t...

Do you guys think 22 days is too long by myself? because I can shorten it up a bit and hike more on some days. I want this trip to relaxing and just have fun exploring the whole island. I feel my parents won't much approve of me going by myself for that long, but it is something I want to accomplis...

I'll second what Bobcat said. I use an MSR, essentially what's now the PocketRocket 2, with an Optimus pot that has a heat exchanger on the bottom ( https://www.optimusstoves.com/us/us/22-8016062-optimus-terra-weekend-he-cook-set ). I find that the heat exchanger makes a big difference in boil times...

In addition to the east end options, there are a couple of options on the Windigo end. - Huginnin Cove is about 5 miles from Windigo. So you could do that loop for a couple days. - You can camp at Washington Creek (i.e. Windigo) for up to 3 days, most likely in a shelter. Then day hike from there. T...

I'm a lucky one, I have four daughters from 15-3 who are crazy unique and amazing! Each year I bring each one (above age 5) on their very own daddy daughter vacation, so from age 5 until they decide hanging out with dad isn't cool any more. I love it! Have always found that the one-on-one experienc...

kolo wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 19, 2019 7:30 am

I read about the portage in Jim Dufresne's guide book.

You got me curious, I'll have to dig out his book now.

kolo wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 19, 2019 7:30 am

I don't know how gymnasts can do what they do on the balance beam, only four inches wide. Just amazing!

Yeah, I'm with you!

I don't remember a boardwalk on that portage--have done it a couple times, but it's been a few years. If it's there it didn't leave an impression on me, so I presume it's not too long or high--I just hate them with a canoe on my shoulders. There's a climb out of Whittlesey, but otherwise I remember ...

I have the 2 legged Alite Monarch and love it. Some don't like the 2 legs but I find it easy to balance. If there's a log or rock to put my feet up on I can doze off in it. It's just over a pound and I save an oz or 2 by using a velcro strap instead of the stuff sack.

Ingo, I just read that a 62 year old woman was killed by a black bear at Voyageurs. The woman was staying at a cabin on Red Pine Island at Rainy Lake with her 80 year old parents. It is tragic and pretty rare. I read it in the Billings Gazette, in case you are interested. Yeah, I saw that. Extremel...