Isle Royale | solo female backpacking trip (part 1)

After months of planning and preparation, I am finally back from my first-ever backpacking trip! I love hiking and traveling alone, but I had never attempted backpacking and was nervous to try. My time in Isle Royale National Park was unlike anything I have experienced, and I am sure to be a return visitor in the future.
I spent four days and three nights on the island, staying at the Daisy Farm, Moskey Basin, and Rock Harbor campsites. This vlog covers my first two days on the island. Highlights include a snack with a snake, a forgotten utensil, and a rare water mammal sighting.
Part 2 is also posted!!

[@dannyschwertner7785]

Great video. As a Michigander (troll) this is on my bucket list. After this video it's now on the short list. Thinking this summer 2023. 🙂. Literally looks like heaven on earth

[@mikhailalynn]

It truly is!!

[@Bluebloods7]

4:37 - Thamnophis sirtalis, Common Garter Snake :)

[@MuckySoup]

Badass trip and edit! I can only imagine all the extra steps you had to put in to capture this. Thanks for putting this together and the inspo! Moving on to part 2

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you so much! There were definitely extra steps involved…

[@nicklammers2207]

Went to Isle Royale for the first time in July last year. Fell in love with every aspect of it. What a special place!

[@mikhailalynn]

I felt the same way!

[@davidfittsakabassoon7227]

I just discovered your channel drawn in by Isle Royale. Been watching three or four, love your vids. Thank you!!!!

[@mikhailalynn]

So glad you found it :) thank you!!

[@870Slager]

I don't know which is more beautiful, you or the scenery. Great video 😁 I plan on going in August.

[@fulltankweekend]

Wow! That's a bucket list trip for me. Congrats on a really great video. I'm driving back home to Indiana and will be hiking North Manitou Island😊

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! Hoping to go to North Manitou soon - have a great time!

[@fulltankweekend]

@@mikhailalynn Ty. I'll let you know how it goes!!

[@austinrice5368]

Wow! What an trip. The views are incredible. Especially the sun rise on Day 2! Two Loons and five Otters in one frame! Looking forward to watching Part 2

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! I forgot how good that sunrise was until I was back and editing the video. Pretty unreal

[@basbh1782]

I have hundreds of absolutely beautiful sunrise / sunset pictures from all over the big they call Gitche Gumee that's what my wife and i love to call Lake Superior. The lake will hook you hard like a giant fish and never let go once you've tasted the bait.

[@thegreg79]

So beautiful and brave!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!

[@Ken-wm6ux]

Another great video! Thanks for sharing your adventures!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thanks for watching!

[@onestepatatime5584]

Great job!

[@MichaelSwanOfficial]

Great vibes. I love your energy. Followed you on Instagram as well. It was great to watch this in preparation for a 7 day backpacking trip here this fall.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!! Hope you have a good time backpacking 🥾

[@Jmendapara]

Never knew this type of hiking existed in Michigan lol looks amazing! awesome video!

[@mikhailalynn]

It was magical! I would definitely recommend checking it out 😊

[@hikesome]

Such a beautiful video of your adventure Mikhaila. So peaceful and calming but challenging at the same time. Looking forward to follow you on your future adventures. Have a wonderful day, Mario

[@mikhailalynn]

Thanks!

[@terrilikens4975]

Thanks for this.

[@mikhailalynn]

You’re welcome 😊

[@skipandcherieadventures116]

Loved your video. We have been to Isle Royale 5 times and will go back there again next summer (2023). We loved Chippewa Harbor and Moskey Basin, ….also love Lane Cove. Your shelter at Moskey at the end was the same one we stayed in. We were greatly entertained by the beavers, geese, a turtle, and mergansers there. There were 4 families of geese including babies there. We have a video Almost Heaven -Isle Royale June 26- July 12, 2022 on our KZbin channel Skip and Cherie Adventures, which might interest you. We had our best luck with moose sightings at the inland lakes. By the way we subscribed to your channel. This video had us hiking along much of the trail with you including the long, high, narrow, boardwalks which in places were rotting or loose. Next summer will be spent at MaCargo Basin and Belle Island. We have been basically on all but a couple parts of trails there(part of the Minong, the Greenstone between Mt. Franklin and Ojibway tower, and the Ishpening. Did you see the eagles nest along the Scoville Point trail? We always travel to the island by the seaplane. Tobin Harbor is an awesome kayaking location clears to the end….

[@mikhailalynn]

That's incredible that you've spent so much time there. This was my first time, but I certainly would like to return and see a different part of it. I did not notice an eagles nest, but that would have been neat to see!

[@mjbachman3027]

​@@mikhailalynnLast August I had the Voyageur ferry boat drop me off at Malone Bay Campground from Rock Harbor. The trail crew had just finished 19 days grooming the Ishpeming Trail, and were leaving the next day. The following day I left as well, and backpacked the long uphill Ishpeming Trail to the Greenstone Ridge Trail and then headed southwest to the South Desor Lake Campground for the night. Then Windigo the day after. I was going to hike the Minong Ridge Trail to McCargoe Cove, but it was raining, and I didn't want to backpack the Minong Ridge Trail in the rain. I waited a few days in Washington Creek for the Voyageur ferry boat to arrive at Windigo (I had previously sent 1/2 of my food to Grand Portage, MN for the Voyageurto drop it off at the McCargoe Cove dock) and hopped aboard the Voyageur ferry, located my food package, and went for a ride along the northern shoreline to McCargoe Cove. I grabbed the last shelter. The following morning I backpacked down the Indian Portage Trail to Moskey Basin. No shelters were available, so I put up my Nemo Hornet 2P tent. The following days I stopped at Daisy Farm Campground in a shelter, Three Mile Campground in a shelter, Rock Harbor in my tent. Malone Bay is beautiful, and very remote. It has a couple of shelters. Definitely one of my four favorite spots on Isle Royale. In 2021 I started from Windigo, and then Feldtmann Lake, Siskiwit Bay, South Desor Lake, Hatchet Lake, Todd Harbor, Moskey Basin, Daisy Farm, Three Mile, and Rock Harbor. Siskiwit Lake Campground is also one of my four favorite spots on Isle Royale. Tood Harbor and Moskey Basin are the other two. This year I plan on taking a water taxi from Rock Harbor to Duncan Narrows, and up the Greenstone Ridge Trail and then down to Lane Cove Campground. I've never been on that part of the Greenstone, and I've never been to Lane Cove. You should definitely consider checking out the Feldtmann Loop and Malone Bay. The trail crew will probably be grooming the Feldtmann Lake and Siskiwit Bay sections of the trail this year. It was really overgrown in 2021 when I was on it, and even more overgrown last year.

[@mikhailalynn]

@@mjbachman3027 That is amazing you've been able to see so much of the island! I hope to return someday and go further - maybe all the way across! Adding Malone Bay to the list!

[@nathanaelkolb4024]

I've stayed in the same shelter at Moskey Basin. My favorite for sure! Wonderful and well done video!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! It was definitely my favorite spot of the trip!

[@WanderingMonkHikes]

I’m planning to hike Isle Royals next month. This year I’m hiking “Trails less Traveled” and documenting a new trail each month. So glad I found your video. Looking forward to watching more of your adventures. Stay on the path! Monk

[@mikhailalynn]

That's awesome!! I am sure you'll love your time on Isle Royale. Will look for your video!

[@user-fr8pb5hs4w]

We wanted to start our New Year RIGHT by joining you on some of your Recent Hikes.

[@mikhailalynn]

So good to hear from you!! I hope you had a Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@jilliannoble00]

I’m trying to plan a trip for this summer, I’m so excited!!! Thanks for some insight for a solo woman backpacker on the island

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you for watching! I think this is one of the best places to go backpacking as a solo woman. I hope you have an incredible trip!

[@watchdogpodcast239]

Doing a hiking trip on Isle Royale next month. Your video has me even more excited for it.

[@mikhailalynn]

I’m happy to hear that! I am sure you’ll have an amazing time

[@lovemihikes]

Just stumbled on your video, and really enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing! Hope to someday make it up to the island!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!! I hope you do also!

[@OHIOKAYAKER]

Thank you for making this video. Really beautiful and exceptionally well done. We’re going to IRNP for the first time in August.

[@mikhailalynn]

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

[@kmh9868]

Feeling serious cabin fever 1/24. I really enjoyed watching your hike/camping trip. Isle Royal is definitely on my list. I made to Copper Harbor a few years ago.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@kmh9868]

The Porcupine Mountains in Western U P & Beaver Island in Lake Michigan are worth considering.

[@ronb2008]

Wow that's a ballsy first trip! I give you props, my first was a whole 3 miles there and back lol. I also want to thank you for your wonderful videos! I'll be going mid May (hopefully) and now know what to expect. Hoping to get some beautiful views like you did!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! It may be a bit chillier in May, but you will definitely have some outstanding views!

[@ronb2008]

Haha trying to avoid the bugs. I’ll take the cold if I don’t have to worry about mosquitoes carrying me away 😂

[@charlessullivan5370]

You did very well on your first backpacking trip, young woman. Congratulations. And what a magnificent place! Lovely footage of the morning sky and the abundant wildlife. Nicely done. Did you hear any wolves? Thank you for sharing and happy trails.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!! I thought I heard wolves, but later learned it was a loon call 😂

[@jerrythecoo3295]

Amazing video!!🙂👏👋✌️🎶🇨🇦 Safe travels Mikhaila!!!🙂

[@mikhailalynn]

Thanks!

[@SatriaChannel_08]

You are not walking alone... Because you are together with nature which is very peaceful... The natural scenery is very beautiful.... a very enchanting lake... a forest that brings shade...

[@mikhailalynn]

That is so true!

[@jimwlouavl]

Really delightful video to watch. Some of the footage of you exploring must have taken a lot of walking back and forth to set up the camera. Thanks for putting in the extra effort.

[@mikhailalynn]

Haha yes there was a lot of walking back and forth for filming, but I find it to be a fun way to spend time when in the wilderness on my own!

[@campbub]

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing.. Makes me long for a place I’ve never been 😣 Been to copper harbor about 5 times .. My youngest was when I was 16, I’m 41 now.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!

[@Bluebloods7]

16:08 - I believe you're right!

[@KavaKavana]

Wow so peaceful and serine. It’s so pristine there. You brought a coffee grinder. I thought I was a coffee lover. That’s dedication.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! I didn’t bring a grinder, but I did bring the AeroPress to brew the coffee. I love my coffee :)

[@mitchellroberthaller8408]

You are gorgeous. This video is amazing. Tears are in my eyes. I have a new destination to visit before I die. Thank you for existing.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!

[@DougGrinbergs]

Vicariously enjoying Isle Royale... Thanks! 10:42 amazing sunrise footage! 13:32 rare handrail? 😉 anyway, appreciating the time and effort you spent on the long shots and the editing...

[@mikhailalynn]

Glad you enjoyed it! And yes, still not sure why that was the spot of all spots to add a handrail

[@greglyon8590]

I was just there the first week of July and what an amazing place. Im already planning another trip. You did an amazing job on your videos. A quick tip for your meals. Pack a bag of the Idahoan instant potatoes. If a meal has to much water you can sprinkle in just what you need to thicken it up.

[@mikhailalynn]

That's a great tip - thank you! Glad you enjoyed your time there also

[@ebzovi]

Sun set/rise around 11:11 is perfect

[@mikhailalynn]

Sunrise at Daisy Farm!

[@1LuckyBee]

it's knot reel!

[@Clutter73]

Amazing Video! I’ll be there in September to hike by myself. Can I ask what you used to video with? Can’t wait for #2. Great job!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thanks! I hope you have a great trip! I just used my iPhone 12 Pro with a mini tripod for filming

[@xXMozManXx]

Great video, nothing is more therapeutic and rejuvenating for the spirt than a backpacking trip in such a beautiful and remote place .. glad to see you getting after it! Your trip was in early June then ?

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! I couldn't agree more. Trip was June 7-10. I think I was lucky with the weather, as it could have been much colder at that time.

[@jonschmitz7189]

Otters were awesome

[@mikhailalynn]

They were!

[@j.r.bobdobbs4572]

I just booked my trip for mid-June this year. I’ve wanted to go to Isle Royale since I started hiking 25 years ago. I’m doing this trip for my 50th birthday and am through hiking from Rock Harbor to Windigo. I have a route plotted out that will be 50 miles for my 50th birthday. I cannot wait to go!

[@mikhailalynn]

That will be amazing to travel across the entire island! What a good way to celebrate your 50th!

[@j.r.bobdobbs4572]

@@mikhailalynn I would also highly recommend hiking North Manitou Island at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Great backcountry hiking on an island with a lot of history. One of my all time favorite places to hike in Michigan.

[@paddle_hike]

Great video! beautiful views.. Thanks for sharing (new friend and subscriber) take care

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!

[@davidcolinstillman5585]

HI MIKHAILA 👋 GORGEOUS VIDEO 📹 RELAXING VIDEO 📹 BEAUTIFUL WEATHER LANDSCAPE WILDLIFE FOOTAGE SCENERY 👌 GREAT JOB 👍 YOU DIDN'T FALL IN 😀 THE SCREEN CABINS LOOKED WELL TAKEN CARE OF . THE BUGS 🐛 DIDN'T LOOK TO BAD . THE LAKE LOOKED CLEAR WAS THE WATER COLD 💧? WERE THERE OUT HOUSES THERE ? LOVED THE OTTERS & LOONS DID THE LOONS SING YOU TO SLEEP 💤 😴 LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE TAKES CARE OF WHAT THEY PACK IN THEY PACK OUT TOO . THAT'S AWESOME 👌 BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 THANK YOU 🙏 GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES 🙏 P.S. COULD HEAR YOU PERFECTLY TOO .

[@mikhailalynn]

@@davidcolinstillman5585 Thank you! It was a great trip! The water was very cold - probably around 40 degrees. The campsites I was at did have outhouses that were in good condition. I did hear the loons at dusk and dawn - a very beautiful but eerie sound. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@timburch6212]

I camped at the same shelter at Moskey a couple years in a row. Try going to Windigo , totally different experience.

[@mikhailalynn]

That was definitely my favorite campsite of the three. I'd love to visit the Windigo side in the future!

[@timburch6212]

Also as others have said the seaplane is the way to go to Windigo. I just got back from my 6th trip to the island and we have seaplanes to Windigo then last 3 times. Feldman lake, Siskiwit Bay, Island Mine and Huginnin Cove loop is incredible. Highly recommend!

[@jugg3rnog]

im hopefully visiting isle royale this year, and these videos are great to watch. been loving your content! i did want to ask, what camera do you use to record your videos?

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! Hope you have a blast! I just use an iPhone 12 Pro and an iPhone 13 to record. Decent footage and great convenience

[@jugg3rnog]

@@mikhailalynn awesome, thank you! the footage actually is really good, i was confused lol

[@ExciteMike69]

Hi! Lifetime michigander, former Eagle Scout (30 now 😅), what's that cute little red GPS-like thing on your shoulder strap? It's been close to 15 years since my last actual overnight backpacking trip and I like the idea of "being prepared" incase of a worst case ontario situation lmao. Your device really caught my eye, as I'm preparing for my own trip, watching your videos & other Michigan hiking videos this week.

[@mikhailalynn]

It is a Garmin inReach mini. I talk about it briefly in my gear video, but I actually rented it from a company called outdoor equipment rentals for my trip. Renting is a great option, as they are quite expensive to purchase (in addition to getting a data plan). It worked great! I wish you all the best on your travels!

[@ExciteMike69]

@Mikhaila Lynn Thank you! Whew lad they be pricey 😵 I checked out that rental service and that seems very reasonable 🖤

[@larasea741]

Congrats on your first solo. It appears your pack is top heavy. Try and load your heaviest items in the middle of your pack. Lightest on top.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you for the tip!

[@cabinvibeetsystore9094]

New sub! Liked 🙏😀✌️😛

[@mikhailalynn]

Thanks!!

[@taylortobin6221]

I’m doing a trip there next weekend! Wondering if you had or heard of anyone having trouble with mice in the shelters? I’ve hiked on the AT before and this is a big problem in those shelters.

[@mikhailalynn]

That’s exciting! I didn’t hear of any issues with mice when I was there, and the shelters I stayed in were in great condition.

[@dwayne5698]

I've been there a half dozen time or so. I've never had an issue with mice in the shelters. Have fun!!!

[@KarinyPhilly]

Hi!! Where can you get drinking water to refill your bottles?, we want to go in august 🤗

[@mikhailalynn]

If you are planning to camp only at the Rock Harbor campsite or staying in a lodge, they will have water that is safe to drink nearby. Otherwise, you will need to collect water from Lake Superior or an inland lake and purify it. The Greenstone Newspaper ( www.nps.gov/isro/greenstone-newspaper.htm ) has helpful information about which water purification methods you can use. I mainly used a Sawyer Squeeze filter plus chlorine water purification tablets but also used the boiling method for cooking and coffee.

[@KarinyPhilly]

@@mikhailalynn Thank you!! ❤️

[@juliegritzmaker8613]

Could you tell me the dates you were at Isle Royale? I am planning on going there next season and just kind of wanted to compare the weather and temperatures to when you were there

[@mikhailalynn]

I went from June 7-10. I think I got lucky with the weather, as it could have been colder at that time of year.

[@RobBlazoff]

I was just going to ask this

[@user-vb4sb7if3l]

착하게 생겼다❤❤❤

[@jimknarr]

18:17

[@Bluebloods7]

4:53 - Moose poo

[@hermeticallysealed]

lurve atompacks

[@mikhailalynn]

I love mine too!

[@davemoore3364]

Nice video, great views but way over edited, no need to limit a shot to 3 seconds or less, not everyone has ADHD. Let a shot last longer...