New guy with some questions

[groove]

Hello to everyone! I am new to this sight but have a couple of questions. My brother and I are going on our first visit to the Isle in the middle of August sometime, for just a couple days do a little camping and hiking. This trip is basicly to just check the place out and to get some ideas for a longer trip next year. My first question is: Are there any websights that I can find for the best infofmation on backpacking trips? Second, and more important: It seems like everyone makes thier trips in late June, early August. Whats wrong with the September months? Or even early October? Thanks for any Help.

[johnhens]

Welcome to the Forums, losts of good experience here and people are happy to help.

Backpacker is a good place to start:
http://forums.backpacker.com/cgi-bin/fo ... nboard.cgi
Depending on what kind of info you want, there are Forums for Long Distance Hiking, Lighweight Hiking ect.
http://www.backpacking.net/

September is an awesometime to go, less people, less bugs, beautiful colors, less people. The only problem with October is access to the Island.

[alecto73]

I have been to the island on the first boat and the second to last boat. What I've learned is that there's never a bad time to be on IR, but I think my optimal time would the latest possible boat I could take that would have me finishing my hike at either Windigo or RH when the showers are still open.

[groove]

Thanks for all the info! Im not a first time backpacker, and when I did a little research on the Isle I seen people talking about head nets I thought... WHAT!! NO WAY! I really thought people were just joking, or soft. From what I can tell it aint no joke! Think I'll be planning my trip for late season. Plus, less people.

[photosean]

I was there from June 15 to June 23 and I didn't need my headnet or bug juice at all the entire trip. However, I did spray everything down with permethrin a couple days before I left. I even slept in an open hammock without any bug screen.
I saw a few hikers in full body armor: rain gear, gloves and headnets while on the trail ... and yes, I could smell the deet. There were bugs out, but they weren't really biting. I found that as long as I traveled more than a mile per hour, they wouldn't even land on me.
Bring the headnet and the bug juice and hope you don't have to use them.
The biting flies were a bit annoying on the beaches. In hindsight, I should have used a bit of deet on my ankles when lying around killing time at the Daisy Farm beach.

[Rafiki]

Hi Groove pleasure to meet and have you as a new member on the forums. As a heads up, I moved your thread to General Questions and Miscellaneous, because Trip Reports usually tend to be threads related to discussing how peoples trips were while visiting the island. With that a side, you asked some questions.

Are there any websights that I can find for the best infofmation on backpacking trips?

Backpacking trips to Isle Royale or in general? If were talking backpacking trips to Isle Royale. I think this is the best website with all of the members we have on here that are willing to share years worth of experience. If you are speaking on a general note, what types of specifics were you interested in with relation to backpacking?

Second, and more important: It seems like everyone makes thier trips in late June, early August. Whats wrong with the September months? Or even early October?

For me personally, I like early May and Mid-September trips myself. Going at these points almost always assures that I encounter as least bugs as possible if any at all. I cannot speak on behalf of others with regards to why people tend to go in June and early August. However, Alecto makes an excellent point. Besides the stores being open in June and August, so are the showers. I lovvvvvvve being able to take a shower. Its such a lovely affair after being out in the wilderness for so long. Doing some laundry is always nice too if you are doing a round trip and find yourself at your midpoint in your trip at either Windigo or Rock Harbor. So, I would have to agree with Alecto, best time to go is the last week before the showering facilites close. Some may say the first week the facilites open up, but I would disagree, because you would be running the risk of bugs. Labor day weekend is usually went stores and showers close, so to me that means last week in August would be optimal

[DonNewcomb]

Going when the concessionaires (stores, restaurants, etc) are open is a big plus. We used the store & wash facilities at Windigo and stayed a night in a cabin and had a meal and a Leinenkugel's at RH. It really helped round out the trip.

[groove]

Thanks for all the advice! Yes, I was asking about backpacking the Isle and seems this is the place. The main reason I was asking about the late season is the temps, and the seasons are about to change!! Im gonna try to get there the last week of August. Then race home for the start of bow season, WHoooo HOooo!!!