Isle Royale | solo female backpacking trip (part 2)

After waking up in Moskey Basin, I hiked 13.2 miles back to Rock Harbor (with a detour up to the Greenstone Ridge Trail and Mount Ojibway) in six hours to try and make a boat tour to the lighthouse. I apologize in advance that some footage from this portion is a little... bouncy. I was rushing!
The boat tour may not have worked out as planned, but I did FINALLY get to see a moose - and not at all when or where I had expected.
If you haven't yet, be sure to check out part one of this two-part series on my solo backpacking trip in Isle Royale National Park! Always happy to answer questions about traveling alone, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to do the same. Thanks for watching!

[@MuckySoup]

beaver, rabbits, toad, turtle, crane, people.... MOOSE! You accepted that boat tour denial with such grace. I don't think I would've been as chill. Congrats on the successful trip; definitely adding this one to my list. Had a good laugh at the camping utensil there at the end. Cheers :)

[@mikhailalynn]

No wolves, sadly, but otherwise lots of cool animals! I’m glad you enjoyed the videos and hope you make it out there someday 😊

[@MuckySoup]

@@mikhailalynn Sadly? OKAY you wild woman lol !

[@Bassandbackpacks]

Great trip.thanks for bringing us along. The spoon shot at the end was everything.

[@mikhailalynn]

Can you believe I left it despite multiple packing list checks? Just glad I was still able to eat without making a total mess

[@MB-cj8cu]

Great video. Glad you got to see your moose. Loved the spoon cameo at the end 😂

[@mikhailalynn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BigDogsRUSS]

Beautiful filming Mikhaila. Thank you for these vlogs. I just found your work. 😊

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you so much for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed :)

[@alankovacik1928]

you're so wide eyed and amazed!

[@richardkrause2356]

I love the picture of the spoon at the end. Been there done that. :)

[@mikhailalynn]

Haha yes! I’m glad I was still able to eat my camp meals

[@basbh1782]

Loved your KZbin video. Brings back some very happy memories. My wife and I did a early May trip 3rd crossing for the Queen from Copper harbor. It was our first empty nesters backpacking trip. My wife's first backpack trip ever. We did Rock harbor to three mile day 1 day 2 to Daisy Farm day 3 Daisy Farm up to Mount Ojibway saw moose right before seeing the tower we backpacked up in freezing horizontal rain. Thank God we had top of the line Rain gear. Got to the tower and ducked behind the shack out of the wind ate a quick lunch with our backpacks on. I did not tell my wife at that moment of time that in all the years of being out doors hunting and winter camping Etcetera that this was closest Hypothetical dangerously situation i have ever encountered. Just told her let's make this a quick lunch and move on down the greenstone ridge. there was no way we were going to climb the tower that day . We hiked to Mount Franklin then down to 3 mile set up our tent in the shelter because it was so cold got out of our wet clothes and had a hot meal And enjoyed the evening by the lake . It was not till we were crossing back to Copper Harbor in waves that had most on board on the rail at the back of the boat feeding the fish That i told my wife what I thought about the near Hypothetical situation we were in. to this day and after many other wonderful backpacking trips to the Porcupine Mts in the U.P. , and the North Shore trail and Border route trail in Minnesota. The Greenstone is still her favorite hike ever. So glad to see the view on a nice blue bird day. Fingers are crossed that our next trip to the Isle has great weather like you had. Hoping for a May trip this year if we don't do Pictured Rocks inside. Looking forward to future backpacking You Tube videos from you. Happy Hiking to you.

[@mikhailalynn]

What an incredible story! I am glad that you made it out alright and still managed to have an amazing trip. I would love to do more hiking and backpacking around MN, WI, and the UP - all such beautiful areas! I hope your trip in May goes well and you get to enjoy some blue skies too

[@narrowgroundentertainment]

I bought a 16ft canoe last spring, and I have some of the same struggles using it by myself. Usually it handles fine solo, but if there's any amount of wind it's a devil of a time to keep it pointed where I want it to go. I do use a kayak paddle with it. Planning to visit Isle Royale this August with my family. Edited because I always forget the "e" in Royale.

[@mikhailalynn]

I hope you and your family have a great trip! The weirdest thing with the “e” is it’s there but you don’t really say it out loud

[@narrowgroundentertainment]

@@mikhailalynn Thanks! If I can still find this comment by then, I'll let you know how it goes.

[@Jgatti41]

Hats off to you young lady. I love seeing young people solo hike, gives me hope I can convince my wife I'll be fine. :) Glad you saw your moose, nicely done video.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! Good luck with the convincing :)

[@melissakellogg6789]

I watched both part 1 and part 2 because they were relaxing and fun videos to watch. Thank you for letting a non-camper share that journey with you. Sorry about the boat tour, but hey, a moose!

[@mikhailalynn]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@bokz717]

Thanks for sharing your solo adventure! Planning to do a solo hike too. When is the best time to visit the island?

[@mikhailalynn]

I had a really good experience going in early June - it was less busy and less buggy than it is later in the year. That said, you could end up with a pretty cold week if you go early June, so would be prepared with the gear you're brining (warm hat, clothes, sleeping system).

[@campbub]

I remember my grandpa taking me up to the u.p I was 14 years old. We were in the paradise-whitefish point area.. as we were driving I told my grandpa, look 👀 a horse is in the brush.. he stopped the car and gave me a little laugh, and said it’s a moose. We watched it for a bit.. I was so took back at how big it was! What a sight ☺️ My love for northern Michigan comes from my grandpa.. when he was young, during the depression, his parents didn’t have enough money to feed him, so he was sent to a ccc camp by whitefish point. He helped build the roads up there, and the ditches etc. I still have a picture of him cleaning the snow off the bunk house roof, with a bunch of young men. I’m impressed! You drove from copper harbor to Ohio. It’s like 12 hours. I live in Toledo.

[@mikhailalynn]

That’s wonderful you had that experience with your Grandpa! It was my first time in the UP, and I loved it. Worth the long drive!

[@davidfittsakabassoon7227]

I love your excitement at seeing the moose! I feel the same spotting any wildlife while hiking. Congrats!!!!

[@mikhailalynn]

It was an amazing moment! And just in time too before having to leave the island

[@sherrierifenberg2199]

Great video! Planning my isle royal trip for next spring! Been on my bucket list for a couple years…your video cinched it! Thank you!

[@mikhailalynn]

I am so glad you’ll be going! It is truly an incredible place

[@bushwhackingfool3706]

I did a solo hike from one end of Isle Royale to the other and back again back in 2011 (Rock Harbor to Windigo). I traveled over much of the same trails you used in this video and those in part one. It wasn't until my return trip back from Windigo that I saw any moose. My first encounter involved a mother and her calf following me for so long that I started to wonder how I'd get them across the Canadian border on my ride home. Another involved a moose coming out of a depression along Lake Superior where I had no avenue to retreat. After those two encounters I had had enough of them! Awesome videos! Keep up the good work.

[@mikhailalynn]

Wow!! What an experience that must have been!

[@slynkylynx]

Truly enjoyed this video! You're brave and strong and have a keen eye for capturing the beauty in nature's landscapes.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! It was an incredible trip :)

[@billelliott2374]

Thank you for sharing. I've recently day hiked in Colorado,Minnesota,years ago Appalachian areas. Fun to see current and realistic video of IR for a future visit.

[@mikhailalynn]

Hopefully you can make it there sometime!

[@calebburke2038]

I loved your videos! Thank you! My brothers and I are going in September. I can’t wait

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy your trip!

[@austinrice5368]

What a trip! Found a beaver and moose! Loved getting to explore Isle Royale with you!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! Could you tell what that bird was? LOL

[@michaelbroyer3918]

I watched both of your videos and congratulations on your first solo backpacking trip! You did a fine job and your demeanor was on point. Isle Royale is a superb first choice for a new backpacker! Solid videography skills too and soo happy you got to see a moose. Keep making backpacking videos!! Michael from White Stone VA

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!! It was a great first experience backpacking, and I am definitely looking forward to the next backpacking trip :)

[@simonbitner1171]

Cool

[@xXMozManXx]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip! Seeing the moose at the very end after accomplishing all of the hiking was very neat and was no coincidence .. Mother nature works wonders. And this video answered my question of the time of the year haha (first part of June). Congrats on getting after it and completing this solo trip! May you enjoy many more :)

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you so much!

[@musicdiedJan1980]

Isle Royale is definitely on my "bucket list" of places to visit. Living in suburban Cleveland, though, I never seem to make it farther than Kelleys Island!

[@mikhailalynn]

I hope you make it there someday!

[@mmmitchin8279]

omg! I’ve watched through both of these videos hoping you’d get eyes on a moose. just got to the part. that’s awesome congrats. i went in 2019. i did rock harbor to daisy to chickenbone east/west to richie to moskey to rock harbor. absolutely incredible experience. im going again this august! your videos have me so excited. thank you for the hype up content!

[@mikhailalynn]

It was really so crazy that the moose didn’t appear until the moment I’d give up on seeing one this trip! I hope you enjoy your trip in August and see many moose :)

[@cindyweis1]

Great Video! I am going there in two weeks as a solo female also. Loved all the footage and planning on doing a very similar trip as you. I am hoping they are doing the boat tours by now. Thanks for sharing!

[@mikhailalynn]

That’s awesome!! I will keep my fingers crossed that the boat tours are up and running by now

[@watchdogpodcast239]

So we ended up going to Isle Royale last month. Thirty minutes into our 4 day backpacking trip, a park ranger informed us that there was a wildfire ahead. So instead of backpacking for the 4 days, we stayed in Rock Harbor the whole time and just did day trips. And a boat ride to Lookout Louise, which was awesome. It was still an amazing trip and they eventually did put the fire out. Illegal campfire :/ Hoping to get back next year and do a proper backpacking trip. Such a gorgeous place and being without my cell phone for 4 days was a much-needed break

[@mikhailalynn]

That’s so unfortunate, but I’m glad you made the most of it and had a good time. Just gives you another reason to return soon!

[@authormikemontie250]

Awesome video Mik! I recognize all the spots. Man I miss that place! Thanks for sharing. Pro tip, next time, paddle from the back of the kayak. You have more leverage to steer.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!! Hopefully you will make it back again. I imagine that would have worked much better and resulted in less spiraling!

[@WanderingMonkHikes]

Sorry you didn’t get your boat tour. The area is lovely though. And you saw your moose. Thanks for sharing.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! I was bummed about the boat tour too, but there was plenty to do to make up for it

[@Bluebloods7]

8:35 - looks like it had something to do with the United States Lake Survey performed a LONG time ago; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Lake_Survey

[@mikhailalynn]

Thanks for sharing the info!!

[@rybread81]

Love the trail over the water, it was a lot of work hiking to the tower.

[@mikhailalynn]

That was one of my favorite parts also! There are a lot of boardwalks, but that was the tallest one I crossed.

[@rybread81]

@@mikhailalynn I took some video of that portion as well. Just posted it on my KZbin page.

[@mikhailalynn]

@@rybread81 Awesome!

[@alankovacik1928]

actually, best place to see a moose is Rock Harbor Campground! Seen them there 3 years in a row!

[@mikhailalynn]

That’s awesome!!

[@jreton8971]

Yes, same for area surrounding Housekeeping Cabins nearby. Ranger said young moose know it is safe from the wolves.

[@SatriaChannel_08]

I like this video content....

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!

[@cindyweis1]

Loved the shot of the spoon at the end! Hahaha and could you tell me the name of the meals you had on the trail? Thanks again.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thanks! I still can’t believe I forgot to bring it! The brand was Nomad Nutrition - all of their meals were vegetarian/vegan

[@continuetomarch]

pleas tell me you are not from ohia

[@mikhailalynn]

Sorry to disappoint 😅