Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale is accessible only by ferry or seaplane, and most of the island is backcountry. There are no roads. It gets about 25,000 visitors per year compared to places like Yosemite's 4 million. On some stretches of trail you'll go a full day without seeing another person.
The wildlife presence is unlike any other park I've been to. Moose sightings were daily, sometimes multiple times a day. Wolves live on the island but I didn't see any. A fox came within a few feet of the shelter one evening.
Water is available from streams and lakes throughout, so carry capacity is less of a concern than most desert parks. Nights in August were cold enough that a 30-degree sleeping bag was the right call.
Film
Route
Day by Day
Ferry arrives mid-afternoon, leaving only a few hours of daylight. Short hike to the Washington Creek Campground to get oriented and set up camp.
Coastal trail along the northern shore of the island. First moose sighting within the first mile. The trail stays relatively flat with views of Lake Superior throughout.
Cut south through the Feldtmann Ridge Trail. Good elevation gain early, then a long descent to Feldtmann Lake. Saw moose grazing near the lake in the evening.
Continued east along the southern coast of the island. Trail passes through dense boreal forest before opening up near Siskiwit Bay, the largest inland lake on the island.
One of the longer days. Rocky terrain through the interior. Multiple moose sightings in the boggy sections. Chippewa Harbor has a beautiful sheltered cove for camping.
Moved northeast toward Rock Harbor. Saw a red fox near the shelter at Daisy Farm in the evening. Last full night on the island.
Easy final morning along the shoreline. Caught the afternoon ferry back to Copper Harbor. The island feels completely different leaving than arriving.
Photos
Photos coming soon.