Isle Royale Forums

Hi all, it's taken a long time, but I just finished writing a detailed series of blog posts about my May trip to the west end. I apologize for just linking to my own blog, but these are much too long to post here (and I couldn't get all the photos in).

Quick summary: A mostly sunny and cold late-May trip to the west end. We did Huginnin as a day hike, and Feldtmann Loop clockwise. Trees in "green haze", wildflowers, an incredible number of moose at Feldtmann, and 10 (count 'em -- 10!) round trips between Washington Creek campground and downtown Windigo.

I mostly write this blog for myself to enjoy in later years, but hopefully you'll enjoy some of the stories too!

• Introduction to the whole series
• Day 1: Windigo and Huginnin Loop in the rain
• Day 2: Windigo to Island Mine
• Day 3: Island Mine to Siskiwit Bay, the Island Mine powderhouse, and a lovely campfire
• Day 4: Siskiwit Bay to the crappiest site at Feldtmann Lake
• Day 5: Rest day at Feldtmann (in a better site), Rainbow Cove, and the arrival of the Bros
• Day 6: Feldtmann Lake to Windigo
• Day 7: Windigo, the nature trail, an orientation at last, and home

Oh hey! I subscribe to your blog and have enjoyed reading your posts.

Thanks, Kelly! Glad that you're enjoying them! (Next up: Late July Slackpacking trip to the Porcupine Mountains, but it will take a few weeks for me to post...)

I just finished reading your entire 2023 Isle Royale blog. Wow! What a great read. It brought back a lot of memories from my trip with Dane and Ken, especially when you described some of the very same things we encountered, one of which was the metal tags on the trees.

I also got a laugh out of your description of the "bros". Even though we didn't encounter any bros on this trip, I have encountered them several other times, and your description was not only spot on, but also funny.

Thanks for sharing your blog and also the enjoyable evening around the fire at Siskiwit Bay!

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What a fantastic write-up! Not only did I relish following along, I learned a lot. E.g., I’d never processed before that the ridges on IR slope south. Thanks from another bro-weary alum of campsite #3 at Feldtmann Lake!

torpified wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 4:42 pmI’d never processed before that the ridges on IR slope south.

Thanks! I spent many years hiking around the Keweenaw peninsula, where all of the ridges slope gently to the north. If you're bushwhacking around the Cliffs on the mainland, you have to consider whether you're heading towards the steep side!

Isle Royale is a geological mirror image and as a result, it always confuses and sticks out to me.

Thank you for this detailed trip report and blog. My first time to Isle Royale is Aug 2024 and this is the hike I'm choosing to do. The information you provide is important for a first-timer. I really appreciate the time you took to write it all!

i was on the island at about the same time. I rant into several “dudes” too. A pet peeve—folks walking through a campsite without asking!

Kaypho12 wrote: Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:54 am Thank you for this detailed trip report and blog. My first time to Isle Royale is Aug 2024 and this is the hike I'm choosing to do. The information you provide is important for a first-timer. I really appreciate the time you took to write it all!

Glad it helps! We did the Feldtmann loop in "reverse" (clockwise) -- most people do it counterclockwise. I liked our direction, but I would certainly try it the other way. I will also definitely find a way to camp at Huginnin Cove next time we visit the west end!