Search found 49 matches

by egraetze
Wed Jun 29, 2011 5:40 am
Forum: Transportation & Lodging
Topic: Cheap motels in Houghton?
Replies: 13
Views: 6844

Cheap motels in Houghton?

Any suggestions for a cheap motel in Houghton? Driving up in July on a Friday night, and expecting to arrive around midnight, then have to get up in the morning for an 8 AM flight to Windigo. This would be for 3 adults. I really don't want to drop 65 bucks for a 5 hour sleep. Most places I've checke...
by egraetze
Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:46 am
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Training or shakedown trail suggestion SE Michigan
Replies: 4
Views: 2731

Training or shakedown trail suggestion SE Michigan

I am going to Isle Royale in mid July for a week long backpacking trip with my two older kids (20 & 21). I've been to the island in the late 80s, but neither of my kids had. All of us are doing plenty to be physically prepared, but we need to throw in a couple of hikes with packs. I went for a 9...
by egraetze
Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:27 am
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: Jerky
Replies: 8
Views: 8875

Re: Jerky

I've made jerky in the past both by means of my smoker and by dehydrator, but the results were just OK. I tried again this past weekend in preparation for a trip to the island in July. I came across this recipe, which was very good. I used flank steak which I sliced thin with a jerky cutter. I could...
by egraetze
Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:48 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: First Timer Looking for Advice
Replies: 5
Views: 2726

Re: First Timer Looking for Advice

On my first trip to the island in the 80s, we went from Rock Harbor to Lane Cove (breeze), then the next day from Lane Cove intending to get to McCargoe Cove. It was early June, but the temperature was over 80. It was a tough leg for our second day and we wound up at East Chickenbone instead when th...
by egraetze
Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:17 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Typical pack weight
Replies: 15
Views: 11873

Typical pack weight

Just curious what the typical pack weight is for those going to Isle Royale. Last time I went to the island was back in the 80s for 2 years straight. Long before much lightweight equipment. Seems my friend and I were around 35 to 40 lbs each back then. I trained with my son yesterday hiking 9 miles ...
by egraetze
Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:34 pm
Forum: Transportation & Lodging
Topic: Seaplane flammable restriction information
Replies: 4
Views: 3823

Seaplane flammable restriction information

I am going back to the island next month, and am traveling to the island by seaplane and return on boat. My prior trips of nearly 25 years ago were by way of the barf barge, before the boat was lengthened. Flammable substance restriction was not clear, so I've communicated with the Royale Air Servic...
by egraetze
Tue May 31, 2011 1:37 pm
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: Food ideas needed
Replies: 7
Views: 8653

Re: Food ideas needed

I was able to get some ideas from the Backpacker cooking forum, and from the other sites, but don't seem to be able to register and post on the backpacker forum. I am all set for my dinners, and have ideas on use of my dehydrator for breakfast and lunch foods, but a more specific question that I don...
by egraetze
Tue May 17, 2011 8:26 am
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: Food ideas needed
Replies: 7
Views: 8653

Food ideas needed

The last time I went to Isle Royale was in the mid 80s. At that time, food choices seemed to be fairly limited and we settled on a number of freeze dried dinners and grocery items for breakfast, trail and lunch foods (oatmeal, dried milk, pudding, etc). I am going again in July with my 2 older kids....
by egraetze
Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:38 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Please straighten me out re: my unrealistic schedule
Replies: 7
Views: 3365

Re: Please straighten me out re: my unrealistic schedule

Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm is a very easy go. Continue on as suggested.
Don't camp at East Chickenbone. Stayed there once after a very long day from Lane Cove. It is the lowest on my list. South Desor and McCargoe Cove at prime locations.
by egraetze
Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:19 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Some route questions
Replies: 8
Views: 4087

Re: Some route questions

I personally think you are biting off too much for a first trip. We had ambitious plans for our first trip, but wound up making the trip shorter which was possible since we started and ended at Rock Harbor and only went as far at McCargoe Cove. On our second trip, we went from Windigo to Rock Harbor...
by egraetze
Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:08 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Water filter recommendation?
Replies: 51
Views: 41604

Re: Water filter recommendation?

Seems to be many opinions express on filters, but thought I would open up the can of worms again just to make sure I purchase the right one. On my original 2 trips to Isle Royale back in the late 80s, I used my First Need filter. Worked fine other than getting clogged at Chickenbone the first trip. ...
by egraetze
Thu Apr 28, 2011 7:22 am
Forum: Weather and Bugs
Topic: Bugs not a problem
Replies: 5
Views: 3710

Re: Bugs not a problem

Thanks for the response. May be going the second week of July now. I just want to make sure the blackflies should be long gone. I had never experienced them like we were attacked at Hatchet Lake back in 88.
by egraetze
Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:50 am
Forum: Weather and Bugs
Topic: Bugs not a problem
Replies: 5
Views: 3710

Re: Bugs not a problem

I had been planning for a mid August trip this year. Now it is looking like a late July trip. My prior trips have been late May/early June. The only bugs either time was with black flies at Hatchet Lake. All other sites, no problem. How bad can I expect bugs in late July? I generally had been taking...
by egraetze
Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:42 pm
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: Backpacking Lunch
Replies: 26
Views: 18008

Re: Backpacking Lunch

I've been seeing plenty of suggestions making use of pitas or tortillas. My experience at home is these foods tend to mold quickly. Any suggestions on making them last a week in a pack? I do have a very good food vacuum packer if that helps (and do intend on using it for other foods).
by egraetze
Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:13 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Mid August trip - how crowded?
Replies: 4
Views: 3340

Re: Mid August trip - how crowded?

Thanks for the additional advice. I've stayed at East Chickenbone after a long trek from Lane Cove on our second day there during the first time to the island. I did not like it, and would not stay there again. West Chickenbone was much nicer and Lake Richie was our favorite for the east end. For th...