Search found 790 matches

by Tom
Fri May 03, 2019 8:51 pm
Forum: Transportation & Lodging
Topic: Voyageur II is in Grand Portage
Replies: 1
Views: 1797

Re: Voyageur II is in Grand Portage

Rumor on the street is she's going to be getting some sweet new seats in the aft cabin. Can't wait to see them!
by Tom
Fri May 03, 2019 4:55 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: First trip to the island
Replies: 8
Views: 2968

Re: First trip to the island

Welcome to the forum! It looks like a solid out and back trip. Note you are allowed to pitch freestanding tents inside shelters, and a few of the camps you'll be visiting can get a little blow that makes the shelters pretty cold that time of year. My only recommendation is that you might pass on Rit...
by Tom
Fri May 03, 2019 4:52 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Water filter
Replies: 32
Views: 20931

Re: Water filter

I've had a Hiker for years (back when they were Pur) and it's still going strong; I recently picked up a Hiker Pro on a sale because the price was cheaper than just buying the replacement filter. Both are very capable for whatever IR throws at it. I also carry (well, actually, another hiker) a Katad...
by Tom
Wed May 01, 2019 12:52 pm
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Mott Island trails
Replies: 9
Views: 3715

Re: Mott Island trails

I spent some time there last summer. It was interesting to walk about the 'inhabited" portion of the island; we walked around the operational spaces, near the cabins, playground, etc. We found our way to the bridge to East Caribou, and over to Dollar Bay. Neat to see, as it's the 'industrial' p...
by Tom
Tue Apr 30, 2019 7:59 am
Forum: Wildlife
Topic: 2018/2019 Moose-Wolf Report now Available
Replies: 3
Views: 2041

Re: 2018/2019 Moose-Wolf Report now Available

Canine parvovirus was widely believed to be the cause. It's one of the reasons dogs are forbidden on the Island without special permitting/process.
by Tom
Fri Mar 29, 2019 10:26 am
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Isle Royale talk at MM Spring Expo 2019
Replies: 2
Views: 1987

Re: Isle Royale talk at MM Spring Expo 2019

Awesome! I'm scheduled to be out of town that weekend, but if schedules change I'll be sure to drop by.
For those that have never been, the Midwest Mountaineering Spring Outdoor Adventure Expo is a great place to connect with like minded folk. The talks are all free.
by Tom
Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:33 am
Forum: Canoeing, Kayaking & Fishing
Topic: Fishable Lakes Chart
Replies: 16
Views: 25947

Re: Fishable Lakes Chart

Wood = Northern Pike. Lots of northern. In fact, we kept catching so many (and of good size) that I'd start to wonder if any bait fish survive beyond a minnow. As Midwest Ed notes, you can cast right from shore at the neck between Wood and Siskiwit (right by camp) and reel them in. I've also had goo...
by Tom
Tue Feb 26, 2019 7:48 am
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Family trip planning
Replies: 37
Views: 13599

Re: Family trip planning

How long would you estimate it would take to get from Windigo to Beaver Island (which sounds like a great idea) by kayak with low-medium average strength kayakers? It's under a mile, so even with a light headwind I would think 30 minutes would be the longest it would take. Are there ever microbes (...
by Tom
Tue Feb 19, 2019 3:12 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: What are you spending your dividend on? 2019 super special edition
Replies: 14
Views: 6007

Re: What are you spending your dividend on? 2019 super special edition

2. One of these years I'm going to use the dividend to subsidize me a new tent. There's a 7 yr old Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 I've been using for my solo trips. Despite mild fraying, it's still got some life in it. Its fantasy successor will weightless, free-standing, monsoon and blackfly plague-proof--...
by Tom
Sun Feb 10, 2019 12:27 pm
Forum: Canoeing, Kayaking & Fishing
Topic: Leaving canoes?
Replies: 9
Views: 4155

Re: Leaving canoes?

Not knowing where you are planning overnights, here are a couple thoughts: Portage to Lake Richie - It's a doozy. If you're not hung up on Chippewa, maybe taxi to Moskey. While the portage is longer, I think it would be easier. Sargent Lake - What's your approach? Depending on your water route, I ma...
by Tom
Wed Feb 06, 2019 12:24 pm
Forum: Wildlife
Topic: MN wolf leaves IR
Replies: 5
Views: 2771

Re: MN wolf leaves IR

Sit. I said sit. Now stay. Stay. Good wolf. :D
by Tom
Sat Feb 02, 2019 9:16 am
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Day trip from Grand Portage
Replies: 2
Views: 1525

Re: Day trip from Grand Portage

If you send them an email, the kind folks (Capt Don, et al) from Grand Portage Isle Royale will get back to you in due time. They all have 'other jobs' in the off season. The best recommendation is to book the tickets as soon as you know you will be making the trip. Boats do fill up; it's a bit of g...
by Tom
Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:20 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Two nights at Moskey or Daisy Farm?
Replies: 6
Views: 2733

Re: Two nights at Moskey or Daisy Farm?

I'd second the vote for Daisy, in this case. Moskey is wonderful, of course, but after that first day it's more of a 'set back and relax' camp that might not appeal to the young one. It is, however, the only place I've ever swam with otters. Not intentionally, of course, but they didn't seem to mind...
by Tom
Wed Jan 09, 2019 7:57 am
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Feedback on 9 Day Backpacking/Paddle Itinerary [updated]
Replies: 15
Views: 5782

Re: Feedback on 9 Day Backpacking/Paddle Itinerary [updated]

*Thoughts on staying at W. Chickenbone vs. McCargoe Cove? McCargoe Cove offers the opportunity for shelters, a community fire pit, a dock for easy water filtering, and the mines about a mile away to explore. W. Chickenbone offers better fishing opportunities from shore. I personally like McCargoe C...
by Tom
Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:24 am
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Government Shutdown
Replies: 7
Views: 3497

Re: Government Shutdown

While it's an exercise of wild speculation, I know there has been precedent for some very early season trips of the Voyageur II to beat the rangers being posted at Windigo, and so the rule was to "permit yourself." Not sure what that means for the latest fee collection, but everything is i...