Mt. Franklin Fire - many east end trails closed

[dcclark]

Surprised I'm the first to post this. From the NPS current conditions page:

"A ten acre wildfire near Tobin Harbor and the Mt. Franklin Trail continues to develop. Hikers are being routed to Rock Harbor and Daisy Farm Campground. Rangers are assisting and planning transportation adjustments. Review the Mt Franklin Fire main page and the Mt Franklin Fire FAQ for more information.

Greenstone Ridge Trail between the Daisy Farm Trail junction to the Tobin Harbor/Duncan Bay Portage.
Lane Cove Trail
Mount Franklin Trail
Mount Ojibway Trail
Rock Harbor Trail from Daisy Farm Campground to Rock Harbor.
Suzy's Cave Trail

Campground closures:

Lane Cove
Three Mile
Cross-Country Camping Zones: 8, 8A, 9A, 10, 11, 12, 13, 33, 36

Dock closures:

Three Mile"

Thanks to the magic of InReach, it sounds like rangers are at Daisy and are ordering evacuations to Rock Harbor. Water taxis are standing by to help.

That's a heck of a tough set of trail closures. Hopefully the fire doesn't get too far.

Read the rest of the thread for updates - trails and campgrounds are opening back up.

[TopCarrot]

Wow

[Midwest Ed]

I'm not sure about the Ranger but the Queen and Voyageur can both dock at Daisy Farm. I would think that option would be utilized if the fire keeps up.

[JPlant]

Any idea what this means for folks taking the seaplane? I’m headed to RH on Friday and planning to hike the Minong. It doesn’t look like there’s a route out of RH right now.

If by some stroke of luck they decide to drop folks at Daisy, I’ll still need fuel.

[Ingo]

Any idea what this means for folks taking the seaplane? I’m headed to RH on Friday and planning to hike the Minong. It doesn’t look like there’s a route out of RH right now.

If by some stroke of luck they decide to drop folks at Daisy, I’ll still need fuel.

I'd be working on a Plan B coming and going from Windigo: i.e. up the Minong and back on the Greenstone, or the Feldtmann Loop. If by some stroke of luck they decide to drop or ferry seaplane folks to Daisy, I'd expect they'll also make provisions for fuel--they obviously know it's a big issue.

[JPlant]

I'd be working on a Plan B coming and going from Windigo: i.e. up the Minong and back on the Greenstone, or the Feldtmann Loop. If by some stroke of luck they decide to drop or ferry seaplane folks to Daisy, I'd expect they'll also make provisions for fuel--they obviously know it's a big issue.

Yeah, I'm thinking about that, too.

In the last few minutes they updated the Mt Franklin Fire FAQ to include this snippet about seaplane passengers. "Backpackers may utilize Voyageur II or the Rock Harbor Shuttle operated by Rock Harbor Lodge to move around the island."

So ferrying folks to and from Daisy seems likely.

[treeplanter]

This is a Park Service photo I lifted off their Instagram page. I've hiked up this rocky hillside many times.

[dcclark]

Lots of new details, including ferries and water taxi info, are posted at the Mt. Franklin Fire FAQ page.

[TopCarrot]

Noon updates. 11 acres no cause determined yet.
All campsites are open and the trails along Superior. Seems promising


https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/ ... e-2022.htm

[hooky]

This is an eye roller for any folks that were stuck at Daisy with no way to get back to RH.

"As of 8/14/22 a Rock Harbor shuttle is being operated by Rock Harbor Lodge. The approved rate is $30 one way with a minimum passenger count set at 20."

[Just_kyles]

The Isle Royale NPS account on instagram says that investigators are looking for information on an illegal fire and associated camp on the Mount Franklin Trail the evening of August 12 and into the morning of August 13th.

[Ingo]

The Isle Royale NPS account on instagram says that investigators are looking for information on an illegal fire and associated camp on the Mount Franklin Trail the evening of August 12 and into the morning of August 13th.

Here's the NPS FB post with contact info: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=384 ... 8595575260

[treeplanter]

You can see the smoke from the Rock Harbor cam. Taken about 3:00 PM today.

[backwoods doc]

This is an eye roller for any folks that were stuck at Daisy with no way to get back to RH.

"As of 8/14/22 a Rock Harbor shuttle is being operated by Rock Harbor Lodge. The approved rate is $30 one way with a minimum passenger count set at 20."

What exactly is the definition of profiteering?

[backwoods doc]

Glad to see that the Rock Harbor trail has reopened.

https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/ ... re-faq.htm