Isle Royale Forums

Just got back last week from the island 11 days rock harbor,daisy, moskey,west chicken bone,hatchet, 3 nights at Malone, Desor south, Washington harbor, hugganin, back to Washington. I had never been to Malone so that was the the new stop, no one I talked to on the way there had ever been there or was planning on going there and that became evident as I started the 7 mile trail from the Greenstone. Appeared to be 1 set of human tracks to a wildlife camera about a mile in and then zero human tracks only moose, wolf and the ones I was making. The trail was very overgrown and I did check my Garmin several times to make sure I was on it in some sections but a fairly dry trail complete with a beaver dam crossing. Spent 3 glorious nights there with no one ever showing up, a few boats passed by or spent the night behind a island but that was it,definitely the highlight of the trip. Had encounters with 4 different foxes, explored the ranger station area, big trout by the bridge everyday and went to Siskiwit Lake a couple times. Great timing if you wanted solitude with no water taxi running not sure how many had been out there in this short season but not many at all I don’t think. On the 4th day walked out of course only my tracks to camera but about half way had the greatest moose experience ever in at least 10 visits a calf was out down the trail as I got a little closer big mama came out and positioned herself between the calf and myself. We stared at each other for quite a while she finally moved parallel to the trail got some really great pics and moved on. Also saw a pine Martin chasing a hare straight down the Greenstone towards me that rabbit was flying kinda funny actually rangers said extremely rare to see that. Anyway as usual the island doesn’t disappoint!!!!

Sounds like you had a great trip! I am planning to camp at Malone Bay, via canoe, next summer. I saw a pine martin chasing a rabbit once, and as you said the rabbit was flying through. The pine martin checked up and sized us up then took off after the rabbit again. At the time I did not know what it was! This was in the Boundary Waters.

that sounds awesome! I'm hoping to make it to Malone on my next trip. Can you post the pictures of the best moose encounter ever?

Where else are there wildlife cameras on the Island? I know there's one on the shore of the beaver pond visible from space alongside the Mt. Franklin Trail. I keep stumbling across it accidentally, when I hop off trail to scan the pond for . . . wildlife.

When I got to Malone many, many years ago there were many kids and parents there. That was the only place I was able to call Ohio, Ky, and Minnesota with a regular cell phone (at the NP) . The hike down from Greenstone was a challenge. The trail down was overgrown and in some places above my head. Its worth the trip! per jerry, the old man.

We must of saw 6 or 7 wildlife cameras along the trails in August.

Here is the moose encounter out of Malone

Spyder1 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 28, 2020 2:44 pm Here is the moose encounter out of Malone

that is very hilarious! The conjectural mother looks so abashed!

Your picture is also terrifying -- I take it there was no telephoto, and the moose were really that close?

If memory serves iPhone about half zoomed in but we were pretty close thankfully everyone remained calm.

Nice moose encounter!

I envy your solo Malone Bay experience. Solo or not, Malone Bay is a great place to spend a few days of one's life.

There are several game cameras on the Stoll Trail, and I noticed them in several locations on this year's lower east-end hike.

omarkoup wrote: ↑Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:05 am We must of saw 6 or 7 wildlife cameras along the trails in August.

Maybe researchers.

Yes they had signs posted at RH that there were wildlife research cameras on the trails.

The link is missing now (or maybe I can't find it) but there was an earlier page on the NPS ISRO website that described the trail camera situation. As I recall it also reassured people that if they were recorded their faces would automatically be blurred out before ever seen by anyone.

wow what a moose encounter! of all the moose we have seen on the island, oddly enough they have all been bulls. Never seen a cow or a calf!