I have been to the island eight times now. It has made an indelible
mark on my life and consciousness. It's wild, desolate, beauty, leaves
a feeling you can never forget. To be in a place miles from civilization,
without the existence of a phone, with only what's on your back to
survive with, is something that can only be experienced. The variety
of plants and terrain seen by merely heading in a different direction or,
simply walking on, is quite unique. From the bare weathered rocky
north shore to swamplands, high ridges to numerous lakes and islands, the
island has it all. The animals present on the island are Moose, Beaver,
Snowshoe Hares, Squirrels, Fox, Wolves, Ducks, Loons and various bird species.
You are almost guaranteed to see Moose and Fox. If you are lucky,
you might hear the Wolves and, if very very lucky, might even see one.
My first trip to Isle Royale was in 1996. We took the last boat out for the year from Houghton, Michigan to Rock Harbor and flew back on a seaplane. It was basically an exploring trip to see what was there. We hiked along the south side from Rock Harbor to Lake Richie then, cut across to the north shore to McCargoe Cove. From there we took a boat up and around the north side back to Rock Harbor. For details and pictures of the trip go to Isle Royale 1996 page (not done).
The second trip was in 1998. We took a boat from Grand Portage, Minnesota to Washington Harbor then up the north shore to McCargoe Cove. From there, we hiked down the entire Minong Ridge to Washington Harbor. For details and pictures of the trip go to my Isle Royale 1998 page. On this trip Roger Kuras carried a video camera and documented the trip. I took this video and blended some pictures, music and location audio and created a movie called "Island In The Lake". This is not a "professional" movie by any means but, is quite nice, and shows you the variety on scenery and emotions experienced on the ridge. For information on getting a copy [click here].
The third trip was fall, 1999. We took a boat from Copper Harbor, Michigan to Rock Harbor. We walked the Greenstone Ridge and came back to Rock Harbor via the boat from Windigo. For details, the complete story and some pictures of the trip go to my Isle Royale 1999 page.
The fourth trip was fall, 2000. We took a boat from Grand Portage, Minnesota to Windigo then hiked the Feldtmann Ridge trail around to the Greenstone and back to Windigo. For details and pictures of the trip go to my Isle Royale 2000 page. I brought a digital video camera on this trip and I just finished editing the movie. It is called "This Small Spot". If you have ever been down the Feldtmann Ridge, or, to Isle Royale, or, just like the outdoors, you will like this. For information on getting a copy [click here].
The fifth trip was Spring, 2001. I took the first boat out for the season from Grand Portage, Minnesota to Windigo. I then hiked the Feldtmann Ridge trail around to the Greenstone, up the Greenstone to the Ishpeming trail to Malone Bay. I took the boat back to Grand Portage from there. Details and pictures can be found at my Isle Royale Spring, 2001 page.
My sixth trip was Fall, 2001. I took the boat from Grand Portage, Minnesota to Rock Harbor. I then hiked the Greenstone Ridge trail to Windigo the first week. The second week I hiked the Minong Ridge trail then, down to Chippewa harbor and back up to Daisy Farm where I caught the boat back to Grand Portage. Details can be found at my Isle Royale Fall, 2001 page.
My seventh trip was May, 2002. We took the first boat of the season from Grand Portage, Minnesota to Rock Harbor. We then walked the south side of the island up to Chippewa harbor where we were picked up and taken back to Grand Portage. For the details and itinerary, check out my Isle Royale Spring, 2002 page.
My eighth trip was September, 2002. We took the boat from Grand Portage, Minnesota to McCargoe Cove and hiked "The Minong Ridge" trail to Huginnin Cove then, to Windigo. For more details and our itinerary, check out the Isle Royale Fall, 2002 page.
My ninth trip is planned for the end of September, 2004.