Late September/early October highlights

[Kelly]

Leaving on September 29 for my fourth backpacking trip to Isle Royale and returning to the mainland on October 4.

We're coming in from Grand Portage to Windigo.

If you've been on the island at that time of the year, what were the highlights for you?

[Tom]

Well, the latest I've hit the island was third week of September, and that trip was filled with over 3 inches of rain and gale winds... That said, mid-Sept and onward is the time I think of Sugar Mountain as no longer a walk in the woods, and Island Mine is downright spectacular. While there are times I would recommend going past Island Mine to the other camps, September is not one of them.

[MikeT]

That is my favorite time to go. I usually try to take the last boat back. Like Tom said, Island Mine area is spectacular.

[Kelly]

I had ideas about going last month, and when that didn't pan out, I worked out a plan to take the last boat out.

My husband is probably going--first time for him. I'm definitely planning a day hike to Island Mine, if not an overnight. Also a day or two at Hugginin.

[Midwest Ed]

I can't remember the dates but it was probably early to mid October. My canoe trip through the Moskey/Ritchie/Intermediate/Wood/Whittlesey loop ended at Chippewa Harbor. The last night at CH, waiting for the Voyageur, was the coldest night of my partner's life. Since I had a Winter bag, I wasn't too cold sleeping, but a cooking pot quart of water sitting next to my head was frozen solid when I woke up. Still, it was my most memorable trip. I'm pretty sure you won't be that cold this year.