"without the boardwalk one would have to wade through that swamp. " On previous maps, it looks like the trail skirted the northern edge of that swampy area, maybe avoiding the worst of it. It now appears to go straight across, reducing the total length and probably the route-finding diffic...

I appreciate the detailed trip report. I was particularly drawn in by a couple of your comments about trail improvements - for years the Minong (originally just a fire cut) was managed as a mostly-unimproved, minimally maintained trail, for the most adventurous and strong hikers. I'm not sure if tha...

https://www.identicards.com/productcart/pc/Great-Lakes-Nature-Set-3-Pocket-Guides-p193670.htm?gclid=CjwKCAjwqauVBhBGEiwAXOepkUx0dLdEWEpxpCnxYN6QXnsubIIHF45NF8Jj5jXjzXvPhI9fSnVBuBoCtPsQAvD_BwE I use these folding card nature guides for general interest - what kind of tree, what was that bird, etc. Fo...

I think you can see Ryan Island off in the distance from the Greenstone Ridge southwest of Chickenbone Junction, in clear weather. This would be roughly 3-4 miles uphill hike from McCargoe Cove, and the same downhill returning to your Basecamp.

And, if you find yourself struggling with the mileage, just head straight in on the Greenstone and substitute E. Chickenbone, to 3-mile. But I do like your route, and if your group is up to it, I am sure you will enjoy it!

That looks like a good first trip to Isle Royale! The first 6.6 miles to Island Mine is pretty easy, just a more-or-less steady climb up through forest. And Island Mine is pretty spacious campground, there will likely be room to fit a couple tents in, even if you need to share a site. I'm curious ab...

The webcam caught a small animal (pine marten or squirrel maybe) carrying white object, stopping on rock, then jumping off rock and dropping white object. Presumably the critter picked up the tp from where some hiker left it nearby.

Thanks, Torp, for your usual entertaining report. Since I will be starting my trip in July with the Minong, I am grateful for the info. Note to self: consider a 10-ft pole to assist with the LTH-vicinity creek crossing if water levels are high........

Rich, thanks for checking it out - cool to see the process at work, of connecting people and investigating via forums. Uncool that someone didn't pack out their TP.

There is not an exception for weather/injury at nearby Voyageurs NP which implemented reservations and campsite fees a few years ago. I do not know how strictly things are enforced.

Well, in the past the rangers have told us to just keep our food with us in our tent. However, having had chipmunks steal bags of gorp from our campsite at RH, and having had a pack chewed up (not at Isle Royale), I often choose to hang my food bag. But I don’t need to hang it very high, because the...

Since you’ll be heading out the Greenstone, I would recommend dayhike out toward Feldmann (overlook and back, or GraceCreek and back) or the Minong overlook and back. Each of those could be as long as you want but 8 miles will get you a great view. The Huginin Cove loop would be a good hike too, at ...

I dunno about Isle Royale, but here in Ohio and West Virginia the ticks are out with a vengeance this spring! Treating all my clothes, my boots, my tent, my pack with permethrin seems to help, and a home treatment lasts a couple weeks.

My guess is critter, carrying something white and dropped it there. Maybe a weasel or marten.

Looks a little famished after the long winter - hipbones really stand out.