Search found 385 matches

by dcclark
Sun Oct 08, 2023 11:49 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: A comprehensive question
Replies: 25
Views: 2603

Re: A comprehensive question

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...
by dcclark
Fri Sep 08, 2023 7:57 pm
Forum: Wildlife
Topic: 2024 trip- Wolves
Replies: 10
Views: 3328

Re: 2024 trip- Wolves

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),...
by dcclark
Wed Sep 06, 2023 5:46 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: TR 5/23/23 - 5/29/23: Feldtmann & Huginnin spring loops [Links to blog posts]
Replies: 5
Views: 889

Re: TR 5/23/23 - 5/29/23: Feldtmann & Huginnin spring loops [Links to blog posts]

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...
by dcclark
Thu Aug 31, 2023 2:20 pm
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Midwest Mountaineering (Minneapolis) - Going out of Business
Replies: 5
Views: 989

Re: Midwest Mountaineering (Minneapolis) - Going out of Business

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.
by dcclark
Sat Aug 26, 2023 6:09 am
Forum: History
Topic: 1973 Map
Replies: 4
Views: 4558

Re: 1973 Map

Thanks, it works! That was a lot of fun to look at. Interesting details I noticed beyond what's mentioned above: - No marked campgrounds at Feldtmann, Island Mine, East Chickenbone, Lake Richie, North Desor, Little Todd, or Lane Cove -- maybe informal or off-trail camping was expected? Also looks li...
by dcclark
Fri Aug 25, 2023 4:45 pm
Forum: History
Topic: 1973 Map
Replies: 4
Views: 4558

Re: 1973 Map

Neat photo, and map too. The link wants me to request access -- could you allow anybody with the link to view it? I'd love to look at the map up close.
by dcclark
Mon Aug 21, 2023 6:54 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Soliciting Itinerary Feedback for First IRNP Trip!
Replies: 10
Views: 1002

Re: Soliciting Itinerary Feedback for First IRNP Trip!

Water is readily available to be filtered at campgrounds, and not many other places. So I agree with Ingo, pack 2 Liters and plan to use it all day. Since you're staying on Lake Superior each night, you'll have easy access to good water for filtering.
by dcclark
Mon Aug 21, 2023 11:49 am
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: TR 5/23/23 - 5/29/23: Feldtmann & Huginnin spring loops [Links to blog posts]
Replies: 5
Views: 889

Re: TR 5/23/23 - 5/29/23: Feldtmann & Huginnin spring loops [Links to blog posts]

Thanks, Kelly! Glad that you're enjoying them! (Next up: Late July Slackpacking trip to the Porcupine Mountains, but it will take a few weeks for me to post...)
by dcclark
Sun Aug 20, 2023 10:51 am
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: TR 5/23/23 - 5/29/23: Feldtmann & Huginnin spring loops [Links to blog posts]
Replies: 5
Views: 889

TR 5/23/23 - 5/29/23: Feldtmann & Huginnin spring loops [Links to blog posts]

Hi all, it's taken a long time, but I just finished writing a detailed series of blog posts about my May trip to the west end. I apologize for just linking to my own blog, but these are much too long to post here (and I couldn't get all the photos in). Quick summary: A mostly sunny and cold late-May...
by dcclark
Fri Aug 18, 2023 1:24 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Any Thoughts About this Itinerary?
Replies: 14
Views: 1329

Re: Any Thoughts About this Itinerary?

I think only large groups of visitors (e.g. when the Voyageur boat comes in to dock) get the orientation. When we arrived on the seaplane this year, there was a sign telling us to self-register at the visitor center. A ranger did come out to check on us, but we didn't get a full orientation. But, th...
by dcclark
Thu Aug 17, 2023 8:57 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Any Thoughts About this Itinerary?
Replies: 14
Views: 1329

Re: Any Thoughts About this Itinerary?

The stream at Island Mine (campground) is reliable enough -- I don't recall ever hearing of it actually being dry, but you usually will need to prefilter since there's lots of "bits" in it. But in general, I recommend carrying a full day's water on the island. Unless you're on one of the L...
by dcclark
Sun Aug 06, 2023 8:49 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Trip plans: Windigo, N Desor, Hatchet, Malone Bay
Replies: 11
Views: 1608

Re: Trip plans: Windigo, N Desor, Hatchet, Malone Bay

It was a magical little place, made even better because it was unexpected. I definitely recommend checking it out. Here's a photo with my wife and hiking partner for scale. The stream continues through the large boulders at the bottom and drains into a lowland area. The coordinates on the photo are ...
by dcclark
Sun Aug 06, 2023 7:45 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Trip plans: Windigo, N Desor, Hatchet, Malone Bay
Replies: 11
Views: 1608

Re: Trip plans: Windigo, N Desor, Hatchet, Malone Bay

One quick note about the Feldtmann loop that is often not mentioned: there is no water to be found between Siskiwit Bay and Feldtmann Lake. In a good year, if you know where to look, there is a crevice near the fire lookout that a little water seeps out of, but it is minimal and cannot be counted o...
by dcclark
Sat Jul 29, 2023 7:18 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Am I Crazy? Swim across Tobin Harbor as short cut?
Replies: 6
Views: 1000

Re: Am I Crazy? Swim across Tobin Harbor as short cut?

Yes, you are crazy. Ok, enough silliness. This is a bad plan. Do you have open water swimming experience? At that distance? This is a recipe for drowning even in decent weather. It is much crazier than diving in one place, it's crossing a significant amount of open water. Aside from experience, the ...
by dcclark
Sat Jul 15, 2023 6:34 am
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Smoke from Canada's forest fires
Replies: 5
Views: 2405

Re: Smoke from Canada's forest fires

Unfortunately the National Weather Service has an air quality alert for today, July 15. It covers the island (and most surrounding mainland) due to Canadian forest fire smoke:

https://www.weather.gov/mqt/