Schedule Help

Questions about how to get to the island and where to stay near points of departure.

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GlennZ
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Schedule Help

Post by GlennZ »

I am trying to come up with a plan that takes the Ferry from Houghton, Michigan then backpack across the island and then get back to the starting point and take the ferry home. It would take us about 3 full days to backpack across the island. I can not come up with a schedule that does not add a bunch of extra days waiting for a ferry. It looks looks like the Voyageur II is the only ferry that takes you from one end to the other? And only goes one way 3 days a week. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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Re: Schedule Help

Post by thesneakymonkey »

have you considered the seaplane for travel? Might work a lot better for your schedule.
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Re: Schedule Help

Post by Ingo »

Using the Ranger III and Voyageur II combination isn't very convenient because they are purposely scheduled so they both don't overnight at R.H. at the same time. Most folks doing this will take the Queen IV out of Copper Harbor instead, which goes out and back every day in the high season. The seaplane is the most convenient option, but also priciest. Your final option is to make the (presumably) extra drive to Grand Portage and use those boats for your whole trip. The Sea Hunter goes to/from Windigo most days, which is convenient for that end of the trip.
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Re: Schedule Help

Post by Capt Don »

I don't know if it is possible using the Ranger without hanging around and waiting for it to run again. It would be quicker to just turn around and hike back to Rock Harbor. Copper Harbor is a far better choice and if planned properly you overnight after arriving in Rock Harbor from Windigo and go back to Copper Harbor that day. As was mentioned earlier coming and going from Grand Portage allows the most flexibility. Generally a little longer drive can shave a day or two off the trip as well as extra boat trips.
The park will not allow both the Queen and Voyageur to be in Rock Harbor at the same time since there might be too many visitors at once for the staff to handle. The Ranger schedule is based primarily on the needs of the park and it's employees on the island as it is responsible for supplies and staff logistics.
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Re: Schedule Help

Post by Base654 »

It's quite difficult to do your trip by boat without waiting around. the math says the plane is $200ish more than the boats (you have to pay for the inter-island ferry too). Capt Don has a point that going out of Copper harbor fits schedules better, his boat is all about the passengers and runs almost every day. It is easy to spend the afternoon hiking the Stoll trail and having a beer before bed to celebrate your trip. You don't really have to "waste a day waiting for a boat". There is also opportunity for a day hike on the other end of the island too.

The Voyager is the only one that goes all the way around.
The plane doesn't charge more for pickup and drop off on opposite ends of the island if you come from Michigan (or didn't last year)
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Re: Schedule Help

Post by GlennZ »

Thanks for all your information and help. We are visiting all the National Parks full time starting in June and this one is our second stop. Can't wait to see it.
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