Isle Royale Forums

How is the poison ivy in mid August on average?
Planning to hike Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm to Chickenbones, McCargo and back Mid August.
I am hearing it can be everywhere? Any tips?

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frank wrote: Thu Jan 17, 2019 9:13 pmHow is the poison ivy in mid August on average?
Planning to hike Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm to Chickenbones, McCargo and back Mid August.
I am hearing it can be everywhere? Any tips?

Based on all the reporting that I've seen, from what I would consider extremely reliable sources, you have virtually zero chance of ever coming into contact with any Poison Ivy on the Island. A search of past posts here on the subject confirms this.

I am VERY allergic to poison ivy. I am occasionally hospitalized when it gets really bad. I am scared of the stuff. I have never got it on Isle Royale on my many trip to the island. I often leave the trail to gather berries or take pictures while wearing shorts. So I am with Midwest Ed on this one. If it was there I would have found it.

You guys are awesome thanks for the replies!

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None! Never seen any on my trips!! No ticks(that bother humans) and no ivy.

Isle Royale is a sort of promised land for bushwhackers: No (human) ticks, no poison ivy, and no bears.

dcclark wrote: Fri Jan 18, 2019 1:12 pmIsle Royale is a sort of promised land for bushwhackers: No (human) ticks, no poison ivy, and no bears.

Those pesky squirrels though. Sometimes I thought they would bring about my undoing.

Watch out for the fox too. Years ago, at Washington Creek/Windigo, there was one named "stealy" Dan. The gray jays are also excellent thieves!

I do have to dispute the ticks. About six years ago, I found a tick inbeded when I headed out for a swim at Moskey. It was the only time and my trail mates didn't have any. That was the only time though.

Base654 wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 6:50 pm I do have to dispute the ticks. About six years ago, I found a tick inbeded when I headed out for a swim at Moskey. It was the only time and my trail mates didn't have any. That was the only time though.

Any chance it was laying in your hiking gear and latched on to you once you got to the island? Those things can live forever in empty jars, so I’d imagine they could lay dorment in your pack for a while.

This has made my day! I might be able to rival Base654 for PO sensitivity---and now I can lighten my IR baseweight by several ounces of PO amelioration measures!