Isle Royale Forums

Plan on doing my first trip to Isle Royale this season. Probably September. I want to tackle the Minong Ridge. Of course I keep hearing about the mud and dampness up there. I would really prefer to bring my 3 pound Nemo sleep and shelter system which includes the almost floorless Nemo Spike 2. However, I'm curious if this is going to be an issue at tent sites. How much mud are we talking? Does the island ever really dry out or is it just always sloppy? I'd really prefer not to bring a tent.

You should be fine with that shelter setup. Most of the tent sites at the campgrounds are reasonably well drained, though some are better than others.

Much of the Minong is dry ridge walking, interspersed by a multitude of fault lines. At each fault line, you are forced down off the ridge and a return up to the ridge a short time later. The muddy spots are below the beaver dams at the base of some of the larger faults. Long stretches of mud await and you will certainly get mud over the tops of your boots.

Awesome info. Thanks much.

The night I arrived at McCargo it rained. The next 4 days and nights on the Minong included wet trails in spots as noted above, yet dry camp sites.

With that type of shelter I would be equally worried about bugs but in September you will probably only encounter an occasional mosquito (depends upon temperatures of course).

You’ll have dry spots at camp. It’s just the trail that is muddy at times!