I've done everything except the W. Chickenbone to Hatchet Lake - very doable route.

I made a similar pot cozy out of an old closed-cell sleeping pad. Only difference is I used gorilla glue (and duct tape) to make the fit really secure. I have found a good cozy is key to going with freezer-bag cooking-type meals.

Cheesy Bacon Mashers was easily my kids favorite meal on our recent trip. We used dried monterey jack cheese. Very good and fast.

My experience was similar to others - friendly owners and clean room. Very close to the dock and the price was great! Loved having the second bedroom for the girls. Not fancy by any stretch but serviceable.

Use caution if you're sensitive to smoke... or ask if they have non-smoking rooms.

Our trip was cut short a day due to the weather - still a fantastic trip!

Pictures: (hope it works out posting this way)

Pictures from Isle Royale
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033328&id=1356263435&l=47eac30b36

Other UP Pictures
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033317&id ...

Very cool!

Curious - where in Southern Illinois did you go to school? I spent my teen years living close to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and am still a Salukis fan.

Done - and ditto on the thanks for hosting this. No disappearing on us.

Don_P: What was your experience in August?[/quote]

Not good on the mosquito front, probably for the reasons you suggested. We stupidly left bug spray at home and as result all had many, many bites. The week we were there (after monsoon weekend) was very warm and calm.

Next time the bug dope comes.

Not sure if others have more recent information but I heard from a ranger yesterday that Daisy Farm may be closed again this year because a wolf was enjoying the apples again. We stayed there earlier in the week and only one shelter (21?) was closed but make sure your travel plans are flexible ...

My experience this time of the year is very tame bugs. They've buzzed around but few if any bites. We are on the boat from Copper Harbor this Saturday and are not bringing bug dope or nets.

Welcome to the forum. Climbing up the stadium steps is a good start - provided you do this quite a bit and with your hiking boots on in addition to your pack. If you have access to a treadmill, walking with the incline set as high as it goes is also good.

Not sure how long your trip is but take ...

DonNewcomb wrote:3-day, 1421 mile migration to Houghton.

Road Trip!

We may see you toward the latter part of your trip. We'll have our two young girls with us so won't be hard to spot.

Enjoy!

We're taking our girls for their first Isle Royale trip next week. We have two possible plans I'd like feedback on:

Plan 1:
Day 1 - Rock Harbor to Chippewa Harbor via taxi, then hike to Lake Ritchie
Day 2 - Hike to McCargoe Cove
Day 3 - Relax, fish, day hikes
Day 4 - Hike to Daisy Farm
Day 5 ...

There is (or was) a big dumpster right outside the visitor center at Rock Harbor. We always deposited our 'store' trash there. I believe the idea behind "pack it in, pack it out" is to not leave your garbage at the campsites or outhouses.

It's a full-season license - for non-residents it is $34 unless you want a trout stamp (extra $8).

http://www.mdnr-elicense.com/welcome.asp