Search found 362 matches

by MikeT
Thu May 31, 2018 9:18 am
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: Splitting Freeze Dried food(Mountain House)
Replies: 7
Views: 8563

Re: Splitting Freeze Dried food(Mountain House)

We use ziploc freezer bags too. Never had a problem. Pour water in the bag, stir it well, zip it up then put it in your cooking pot, put the lid on and place it under your sleeping bag. It stays hot and tends to absorb all of the water evenly. I have left them in for almost 2 hours and it was still ...
by MikeT
Tue May 22, 2018 5:04 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Shorts vs Pants in June
Replies: 18
Views: 10429

Re: Shorts vs Pants in June

I always wear "zip-off" pants to adapt to the conditions quickly. Along the big lake and on ridge tops, there are many days without bugs if the wind is blowing at all. Plus, I hike in shorts often with or without gaiters.
by MikeT
Wed May 02, 2018 7:15 pm
Forum: Other Places and Parks
Topic: Au Sable River
Replies: 4
Views: 6245

Au Sable River

All, Well, after the first boat being cancelled, we decided to go back to Sylvania Wilderness and, guess what, the lakes are still ice covered! So, we are now on plan #3: we are going to paddle the Au Sable River from Roscommon to Lake Huron. I have eyed this river for years, but never been on it. I...
by MikeT
Sat Apr 14, 2018 3:49 pm
Forum: Pictures
Topic: Submissions for PICTURE OF THE WEEK go here
Replies: 265
Views: 229710

Re: Submissions for PICTURE OF THE WEEK go here

Great picture!!
by MikeT
Sat Apr 14, 2018 3:44 pm
Forum: Weather and Bugs
Topic: Opening Day Weather
Replies: 21
Views: 12303

Re: Opening Day Weather

We are also looking at the weather for the May 5th boat. It looks like a repeat of our Spring, 2013 trip, watching daily satellite imagery to see if the ice clears out. Imagery is available at: https://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.php?region=s This is the last clear one shown: MODIS 04-11-2...
by MikeT
Sat Apr 14, 2018 3:24 pm
Forum: Canoeing, Kayaking & Fishing
Topic: Fishing/Hiking w/9 year old son
Replies: 4
Views: 3036

Re: Fishing/Hiking w/9 year old son

Canoes and boats can be rented from the lodge. It can be difficult to fish from the shore in a lot of areas. The majority of the lakeside campgrounds have docks to fish from. You need to have a Michigan fishing license when fishing in Lake Superior, but not on the inland lakes.
by MikeT
Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:39 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: our first backpacking adventure
Replies: 13
Views: 6147

Re: our first backpacking adventure

For a first trip, coming into Rock Harbor and leaving from Rock Harbor, the Rock Harbor loop is probably the best. If you can get to McCargoe, that adds a good side route. So.. RH to Three-Mile to Daisy to Moskey to Lake Richie to Chickenbone West to McCargoe to Chickenbone East (water on the way) o...
by MikeT
Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:37 pm
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Shelters
Replies: 26
Views: 12434

Re: Shelters

It would not take a whole lot of work to move a shelter. I would not want to do it, but it would not be that hard. I'm thinking the shelters were moved and the shelter colors were changed to match the 1965 NPS plan (right now I forget what they called it). The colors of the shelters are pretty bad. ...
by MikeT
Mon Apr 09, 2018 4:34 pm
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Shelters
Replies: 26
Views: 12434

Re: Shelters

Below is a picture of Daisy Farm from a 1963 postcard. Daisy Farm 1963 Postcard CROPPED.jpg Things have changed a lot in terms of fires (and a lot of other things). The text below is in the rules section of the 1953 park brochure: "Keep your camp clean. Whenever possible burn garbage in your ca...
by MikeT
Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:03 am
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Shelters
Replies: 26
Views: 12434

Re: Shelters

As part of my long ongoing project to create a history book on the trails and campgrounds here is a couple of things on shelters. The chart below is from a 1965 park guide published by the National Park Service: 1965 Lakeside Camping Accommodations FROM BROCHURE.PNG Of note here is: - treated runnin...
by MikeT
Fri Apr 06, 2018 6:57 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Minong in May?
Replies: 13
Views: 6021

Re: Minong in May?

One thing to keep in mind, and Rafiki can fill you in on this, if you are first on the island, you have to make sure you get the keys to open up the shelters! :lol: :lol: Welcome back Rafiki, we missed your input. We just had a great laugh when you said you filled up your google account. Imagine tha...
by MikeT
Fri Mar 30, 2018 5:48 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: 2018 Trip Log - Add your planned itinerary here!
Replies: 28
Views: 18634

Re: 2018 Trip Log - Add your planned itinerary here!

Name: Mike & Nancy T. and Dad Email: mike@isleroyale.info Hometown: Port Sanilac, Michigan Arrival Date: 5/5 (First boat) Departure Date: 5/13 Coming From/Via: Grand Portage / Voyageur Itinerary: McCargoe Cove Birch Island Pickerel Cove Belle Isle Rock Harbor (via Voyageur) Notes/Other: - Return...
by MikeT
Fri Feb 23, 2018 6:51 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: First Timer to Isle Royale!
Replies: 8
Views: 4347

Re: First Timer to Isle Royale!

Welcome! That hike from Chippewa to McCargoe is a long one. Mostly uphill until reaching the Greenstone. Very doable though. Going to Moskey from McCargoe would mean walking the same trail back, it would make more sense to go to Moskey then to McCargoe then your only backtracking would be Lake Richi...
by MikeT
Wed Feb 21, 2018 10:37 am
Forum: Pictures
Topic: Wildflowers at Saginaw Mine Site
Replies: 2
Views: 3596

Wildflowers at Saginaw Mine Site

These pictures were all taken at the Saginaw Mine site in 2015 when we paddled there to see the mine site in mid-June, when I usually am not on the island. The site is south of Conglomerate Bay near Mine Point. The mine remains were hard to photograph due to the vegetation, but many flowers were in ...
by MikeT
Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:51 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: First time to IR, looking for trip tips out of rock Harbour
Replies: 21
Views: 9757

Re: First time to IR, looking for trip tips out of rock Harbour

With 6 days you can do most any section of trail. It really depends on where you are coming from and where you are arriving on the island?? If you can get to Windigo, the first trip that I usually recommend for first time hikers is the Feldtmann Loop. It makes for a relaxing and great hike to experi...