Isle Royale National Park: Backpacking

Isle Royale National Park: Backpacking August 1-7, 2022
This has been a bucket list trip for a long time. It did not disappoint. We left KY and had our way to the Sleepy Hollow Motel in South Range, WI. Woke up and made the short drive to Duluth, MN. Spent several hours exploring Duluth including lunch and beers at Canal Park Brewing Company. Headed to Grand Marais, MN and stayed the night at the campground there. A huge thunderstorm rolled in during the evening. Woke super early, grabbed some coffee at the Java Moose, the drove to Grand Portage, MN. to catch the ferry to Isle Royale NP on the Voyageur II.
Arrived at Windigo for orientation from the park ranger and to grab our park pass. Got back on the Voyageur II and headed towards McCargoe Cove CG to spend our first night. We would spend the next 7 days, 6 nights exploring this amazing place. Our schedule was:
8/1 McCargoe Cove
8/2 Hatchet Lake
8/3 South Lake Desor
8/4 Siskiwit Bay
8/5 Feldtmann Lake
8/6 Washington Creek
We saw several moose, fox, bald eagles, beavers, loons and other smaller wildlife. All the campsites were nice, especially McCargoe Cove and Feldtmann Lake. Took a side hike to see the scenic Rainbow Cove. I loved all the Aspen and Birch trees and listening to the loons almost every evening and morning. We ended the hike at Windigo and enjoyed some showers and a pizza and beers at the Windigo Store. Had some nice conversation with other hikers(Ken, Amanda, Rich and Ben) about our trips.
Headed back to the mainland and stopped at Voyageur Brewing Company and dinner at the Fisherman’s Daughter in Grand Marias. Stayed the night in Silver Bay, MN before making the long drive back to KY.
Isle Royale NP is a gem and will hopefully make it back in the near future to explore the Rock Harbor side of the island.
Happy hiking!

[@stevehanke1842]

At 40:15. Looking at senter point,old foundation there used to be storage bldg for dynamite for minning days. It was shipped over from Senter Michigan where it made for all the mines of the old days. Not any explosions or accidents ever happened there. No smoking,no metal shovels just wood ones for spark saftey

[@JohnChapman7]

Thanks for sharing! We missed you by a couple hours in Windigo when we started our trip from West to East. We stayed at a few of the same campgrounds too. You saw more wildlife but I guarantee my son and I ate more berries!

[@nickonthetrail6086]

Thank you! You hit the berries just at the right time! Hope you had a great time. Beautiful place!

[@Bluebloods7]

45:40 - WOW, is that all Quaking Aspen, or were there birch mixed in there as well? No sound on Earth I love more than sitting in silence among a stand of Quaking Aspen as the wind blows through. The ultimate peace.

[@nickonthetrail6086]

Aspen with some birch mixed in. They were a constant companion on the trip. So much to love about IRNP!

[@Bluebloods7]

@@nickonthetrail6086 love to hear it!

[@cindypowers5290]

If you need to escape society, this is the place to do it. What's great, no cell phones/computers etc. Also, amazing wilderness experience. I have never heard anyone say they didn't enjoy a hike on the Isle. Lovely video, thank you!

[@donrobertson4611]

Really nice video, captures the essence of hiking the island. And great moose video. Thanks for natural sound .

[@Bluebloods7]

Great video! Definitely will be planning a trip here within the next couple years. How bad were the ticks when you folks went in early August? I imagine black flies and mosquitos were a constant nuisance? Not to focus on the negative haha, just trying to prepare mitigation strategies well in advance 😅

[@nickonthetrail6086]

Mosquitos were only somewhat unbearable at Siskiwit Bay CG and some parts of the trail in wooded areas. Breeze off the lake took care of most of them. No issue with ticks. You will love it there!

[@Bluebloods7]

1:00:50 - Northeastern Pine Sawyer longhorn beetle

[@nickonthetrail6086]

Thank you! Still didn’t figure that one out. Interesting, little bug.

[@kensmith7567]

Great video- thanks for sharing! It was great to meet you both on the Island!

[@nickonthetrail6086]

It was great sharing stories about our trips over pizza and beer at the Windigo store! Hope you make it back to the island sooner than later. Take care!

[@allennezi1674]

So glad you guys got to adventure there. It looked so refreshing seeing Nick in the crystal clear lake water. I know you guys enjoyed the nature and outdoors the place had to offer.

[@nickonthetrail6086]

Thanks for watching! Ana and I need to head south and visit soon. Hope you are doing good!

[@Indypackrat]

Great video, planning a trip for next year and checking some KZbin videos out. I'm glad I found yours.

[@DixonHikes]

Isle Royale looks incredible! Wildlife galore. Looks like y’all had a great trip.

[@nickonthetrail6086]

It was a great trip and truly amazing place! Thanks for watching!

[@FoolishPrankster]

LUCKY NO BEARS

[@Bluebloods7]

"Windigo" - (in the folklore of some northern Algonquian peoples) a cannibalistic giant; a person who has been transformed into a monster by the consumption of human flesh.

[@ssheldon3042]

Great video, I am heading for my first trip to the Porqupine Mountains Sunday, if I see one third as much wildlife as you, it would be amazing! Thanks for sharing .

[@nickonthetrail6086]

Thank you! The Porkies are beautiful! Hopefully you’ll catch some great Fall colors. Happy hiking!

[@ronstuder7643]

BUMMER! You visited Feldtmann Fire Tower where I was stationed in 1966. You failed to video my old home where I spent the best summer of my life! It is now all but abandoned.

[@carlevert4438]

I am so happy I found your video. I am planning a similar thru hike with my 13 year old daughter, any “must see” spots you’d recommend? It’ll be a 5 night trip for us. Thank you for making this, a truly beautiful place and I am so excited to be going.

[@nickonthetrail6086]

You will love it! There are some amazing views along the Greenstone Trail, but found most the wildlife around the lakes and campsites. Getting up early before any one else paid off with multiple moose sightings.

[@sainteven9244]

Do you think a headnet is needed for keeping bugs away?

[@nickonthetrail6086]

I would bring a bug net if hiking there June-late August. Also a long sleeve shirt. The mosquitos seem to get more active at dusk, so we usually got in our tent by then to avoid them. Hope you have a great trip!

[@Bluebloods7]

33:45 - that's the "Island Mine hoist engine" according to this website: www.nps.gov/articles/000/island-mining.htm