Isle Royale Forums

I would be interested in the latest reports on where there is beaver damage on trails. I suspect everyone would like to hear about any trail. I am particularly interested in Todd to Hatchet and the trail to Malone Bay. Doing this in August. I may go MC to CB West to Hatchet if the trail from Todd to Hatchet is bad. Thanks!

All I have is the Daisy Farm trail from last week. They've rerouted thru the backside of the campground, although the beach is usable, too.

they've flooded out some boardwalk on the trail to Malone, a little north of where it crosses the Siskiwit Lake inlet (or outlet?). But they've cooperatively constructed a dam you can use to cross the flooded bit. There's a picture, along with a gripping account, in this trip report: viewtopic.php?p=29608#p29608

Is it accurate to describe beaver activity in a wilderness area as "damage"?

odd man out wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 9:28 pm Is it accurate to describe beaver activity in a wilderness area as "damage"?

I would say it is beavers being beavers. They are creating micro habitat. Not sure if the NPS can or will do anything about the dams.

By asking my question, I am not suggesting NPS intervention. Just trying to get useful information out to hikers. I thought that was obvious, but perhaps not.

JerryB wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 1:11 pm By asking my question, I am not suggesting NPS intervention. Just trying to get useful information out to hikers. I thought that was obvious, but perhaps not.

I think that was clear. I'm just trying be clever. But sometimes our language does get in the way.

Mine too. Thanks

Todd Harbor to Hatchet Lake has a flagged off detour across an established beaver dam. Coming up on it I was a bit concerned, but it was solid really all the way across and was easy to navigate (with poles) even for this newbie.