I just finished "The River We Remember" and thoroughly enjoyed it. His long-running murder mystery series (Cork O'Connor) is also enjoyable, but his other one-off books like "Ordinary Grace" have been my favorites. (From the thread title I thought you were going to recommend some...

I would not drink any water from a lake that's having an algae bloom. While it might be initially localized to one area of the lake, (1) that can change quickly, and (2) it's hard to be sure at the moment you're there. That would go for outflow creeks too.

In addition to what Ed said (especially about the zero day!), I'd strongly encourage you to consider a shorter trip, maybe 5-6 days. That's based on your experience and the fact that the island will be unfamiliar terrain. If you discover that things are harder than expected, or that your group is no...

Indeed, that's a fun thread! And it looks like it has had its run. Curious to see what new things we can come up with (not necessarily campgrounds) here.

I usually bring a 30 degree quilt no matter the time of year (and 0 degree in spring). But that's because I know I'm a very cold sleeper. You know yourself best, and whether a 35 degree bag will be enough for you in the situations Ingo described.

I am the sort of person who you'll sometimes come across on the trail, standing and staring into the woods because I thought I saw something interesting. Still have no clue what those boxes are for, though!

I'm curious to know who else has some good mystery photos!

@Kelly -- hmmm, that looks familiar. Maybe somewhere along the Rock Harbor trail (like the Siskiwit mine)? I have no idea what the boxes are for though.

torpified wins! (And Kelly is a close second by about 2 minutes.) This is the powderhouse on Senter Point, which stored explosives for the Island Mine. It's an easy and well-worth-it bushwhack. Kelly - when posting, click "Full Editor & Preview" and then upload a photo using the "...

Since I imagine many of us are dreaming about future trips, here's a little game to play.

Post a photo from somewhere in the park, and the rest of us will try to figure out where it is.

I'll start -- if you've been here, you know it:

Another +1 - I like the higher gain that makes night shots much clearer and more interesting.

Rock Harbor is a very large campground, with easy access from the Ranger's dock. There's a 1-night stay limit at most times, so be sure to consider that in your planning. Like all Isle Royale campgrounds, it's actually a collection of separate tent sites (and some shelters), and in busy seasons peop...

Hm, that's an interesting question! In my mind, "through-hike" only makes sense for linear trails -- things like the AT, NCT, PCT, etc. Trails where you can walk the whole thing in one long line. So, at least in my book, the term "through hike" doesn't really apply to a place lik...

Hi Dana, and welcome! NO wheeled vehicles can be brought to the island, including bicycles. You'll have to hike or paddle. (Edit: This is because it's a federally recognized wilderness area.) Wolf sightings are extremely rare. They've seemed to be up slightly this year (based entirely on anecdotes),...

I’d never processed before that the ridges on IR slope south. Thanks! I spent many years hiking around the Keweenaw peninsula, where all of the ridges slope gently to the north. If you're bushwhacking around the Cliffs on the mainland, you have to consider whether you're heading towards the steep s...

I'm sorry to hear that -- I had no idea that IncaRoads owned Midwest Mountaineering (Edit: And it turns out Inca isn't! See below.). For the couple of years that I was at the U, I enjoyed shopping there. Being so close to campus was a real benefit.