Isle Royale Forums

I have used the Voyageur II for intra-island drop off (McCargoe Cove) a few times, but usually walk/canoe back to Rock Harbor or Windigo to exit the island. How dependable is the Voyageur II for pick up at say Chippewa Harbor or Malone Bay? I know that weather can sometimes be a factor in delayed schedules. It probably makes sense to carry some extra food.

As you say, I've heard of weather issues forcing delays for all the island boats. My friends and I used the phrase "Island Time" when referring to schedules. Things will go as planned unless something forces a change ... usually weather.

I've ridden on the Voyageur several times, and the only issue I've ever had was a couple years ago when it had motor problems at the start of the season. We were notified before going to the island, and adjusted our hiking plans without too much issue. They issued a full refund on our tickets since the boat was not running that first week (they ended up renting a boat to use until the Voyageur was seaworthy again).

Basically they go out from Grand Portage to Wendigo, then along the north side (during main season), overnight at Rock Harbor, and back along the south side the next day. Pickup at Chippewa or Malone shouldn't be an issue if they are not kept in port due to weather, which I assume would be more of a problem late in the season. I understand that the south shore trip is usually dependable, but the run between Grand Portage & Wendigo is more affected by the weather.

In 2008 (early August) I was picked up on schedule at 10:00 a.m. at Malone.

My buddy and I ended our hike at Chippewa Harbor a couple years ago. We were supposed to be picked up there the following morning. When the morning arrived we were awake and ready to go but the ship never arrived. From what we could see of Lake Superior the waves/weather didn't look too bad, although it was fairly windy by the shelters. As the pick-up time came and went we began to wonder what happened. With the weather not appearing to be all that bad we wondered, after a couple hours, if there had been a lack of communication and they forgot about us. Well, needless to say, the ship never arrived and we spent another night at Chippewa Harbor (not too bad since we enjoyed the location and had good company with the only other hiker there). We had things packed and ready to go for the morning and the ship arrived right on schedule (I think it was 8:00 am). Come to find out, the waves had been too rough to sail so they stayed in Rock Harbor. However, that is the only time I have been stranded on the island. We had enough food to last us for that extra day so it wasn't a bad experience.

It's definitely prudent to bring some extra food, although I'd guess it's only an issue a couple times a year, so the odds are with you. I've been picked up at Chippewa before without any issue, although last year we didn't leave R.H. until about 1pm because the Voyageur didn't sail the day before and made a complete round trip that day.

I've always brought at least one day's extra food with me, just in case. I've also always returned with one day's extra food...
As the people that live on the lake can tell you, she's calm as glass (maybe a gentle roll) more than she's roiled and tumbling. I'd bet you could count on one hand the number of times that the Voyageur II has to change plans in a year. (Probably different for the Queen & Ranger, which have a bigger segment of Superior to cross.)
From what Capt Don has said, if memory serves, if waves are over 6' the Voyageur II doesn't pull away from the dock. Those are actually pretty big waves..
I do recall that later in the season (Sept/Oct) the odds increase that the Northern route will get cancelled as the NE winds pick up. In those cases, the VoyII sails around the South.

I have used the Voyageur for a lot of my trips to and around the Island. They are usually prompt in the schedule. If the wind is blowing, they may be delayed. Sometimes, word of delay may be passed on through the NPS via Park Personel. However do not count on this. We always build in a "weather" day particularly when paddling. They will make up for delays often doing a round the Island Trip in one day.

I think it takes an awful lot to stop the Ranger on account of its size.
When I have been in the back country with work crews, they always tried to get us out a day earlier than we really needed so that an extra day would be built into the schedule in case the work boats (NPS boats like the Beaver or the Loon) couldn't come and get us as planned.
Always good to remember you are on Island Time.

Tom is right on, last season we had only 4 out of well over 100 trips delayed or cancelled due to weather. On two occasions we ran when the mighty Ranger didn't and we are the only ferry doing the inter-island trips needed. Although weather is for the most part unpredictable long term, late spring and early fall generally bring the heavy weather. If and when we have to delay or cancel, it usually only impacts visitors no more than one day, we scramble to make a round the island trip in one day to minimize the impact. The rangers at Windigo and other points work very hard and really help to get the word out to all affected visitors so they can be where they need to when the boat shows up. Depending on the trips dates, an extra days food or two should suffice, very few passengers each season are affected by weather delays. We have yet to leave anyone on the island over the winter.

On days you can go and the Ranger doesn't, is that because of the direction of the wind?

Possibly, most likely, but i don't know for sure, it has been a pretty rare occurrence.

Capt Don wrote:We have yet to leave anyone on the island over the winter.

Good to know

Thanks for all the good information. I hope to make a short solo trip to the island early this spring to hike some areas I have not been before; a couple more short segments of trails are needed before I can claim I have done them all. All of my previous trips have been in late August or early September, so an early spring hike with no leaves on the trees should be quite interesting.

The VII is the most flexible of all the boats. I've been dropped off at Windigo, McCargo Cove and Rock Harbor. I've been picked up at Chippewa Harbor (twice) and at Windigo (twice) with no problems. Captain Mike and crew are friendly and very competent.

A couple years ago I took the first boat out from Grand Portage. Was supposed to be on IR from Saturday to Thursday but due to wind ended up not leaving until Saturday... Good thing I'm a light eater..