This was my second venture into wilderness area and the trip was a success! We stayed in the shelters at Three Mile. Good thing because it was rainy. We ate breakfast and then started a soggy hike up to the ridge (Greenstone Ridge Trail). Up on the ridge is was foggy but as we hiked the sun came out and slowly burned the fog away.
We camped at Lane Cove. This was the most beautiful campsite we had on our trip, in my opinion. It was quiet (no boat motor noises) and we heard the loons calling. My brother-in-law saw a moose on the hike out the next day. (Side note: I am happy to say that my brother-in-law and I got my Dad to Lane Cove. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's a year earlier. He loved it here and he loved the Greenstone Ridge Trail. Often we carried his pack and I would hike behind him to make sure he stayed safe. A year later, my Dad was no longer able to do a hike like this. We did it just on time!)
The advantages to hiking in early June are that you beat the crowds and the bugs. The disadvantages is that the temperatures can be a bit chilly. The weather on Isle Royale is pretty unpredictable and you never know when you'll get rain. We had rain almost every day.
Ferry tickets: Round trip ferry ticket costs: $114 per person. the ride is approx. 3 hours 15 minutes from Copper Harbor. We'll need to pay park recreation fees ($4 per day per person) on the boat and confirm itinerary with park rangers at Rock Harbor.
ABOUT ISLE ROYALE: Isle Royale is a striking combination of dense wilderness and broad vistas. The main island is about 45 miles long and 10 miles wide and is surrounded by a myriad of smaller reefs and shoals. Though teeming with wildlife, Isle Royale is best known for its moose and wolves living in natural balance. Those who stay for more than the day usually see a moose or two. More than 98% of the land in Isle Royale is designated wilderness.
TRIP SCHEDULE:
Monday - 8:00 am ferry from Copper Harbor to Rock Harbor. Camp in Rock Harbor. Recover from sea sickness. :) Hike to Scoville Point.
Tuesday - 8 mile hike to Daisy Farm. Camp here.
Wednesday - 7.5 mile hike to Lane Cove. At one point on this hike we will be on Mt Ojibway and the well known Greenstone Ridge Trail. Camp at Lane Cove.
Thursday - Hiked to Lookout Louise.
Friday - 7-8 mile hike back to Rock Harbor. Ferry leaves at 3:00 pm.
Saturday - drive back to Grand Rapids (it takes approx. 10 hours to drive from Copper Harbor to GR)
CLOTHING: Be prepared for cool, wet weather. You should have wool hat and mittens, a coat and rain gear. Take a light jacket -- you'll need this for the ferry ride.
TEMPERATURE/WEATHER: Lake Superior weather is cool throughout the operating season. Temperatures during the summer months average in the 60's and rarely exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Thunderstorms and rain occur throughout the season. Day to day temperature changes are strongly moderated by the surrounding waters of Lake Superior, the coldest of the Great Lakes. Bring plenty of warm clothing, even in August.
Month: June
Average high (°F)temp 62
Average low (°F)temp 43
Normal Precipitation(inches) 3.1
WHO IS GOING: 6 hikers
Average hiking per day: 8 miles.
CAMPSITES: Campsites cannot be reserved, except for group campsites by groups of seven to ten. Shelters cannot be reserved. Individual sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of tent or shelter sites are limited. Be prepared to travel to an alternate campground in case the one where you plan to stay is full.
WATER: Drinking water should be filtered due to the possibility of getting tapeworm. If filter is suitable for Giardia it will be adequate to filter out tapeworm.
Tuesday - 8 mile hike to Daisy Farm. Camp here.
Wednesday - 7.5 mile hike to Lane Cove. At one point on this hike we will be on Mt Ojibway and the well known Greenstone Ridge Trail. Camp at Lane Cove.
Thursday - Hiked to Lookout Louise.
Friday - 7-8 mile hike back to Rock Harbor. Ferry leaves at 3:00 pm.
Saturday - drive back to Grand Rapids (it takes approx. 10 hours to drive from Copper Harbor to GR)
CLOTHING: Be prepared for cool, wet weather. You should have wool hat and mittens, a coat and rain gear. Take a light jacket -- you'll need this for the ferry ride.
TEMPERATURE/WEATHER: Lake Superior weather is cool throughout the operating season. Temperatures during the summer months average in the 60's and rarely exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Thunderstorms and rain occur throughout the season. Day to day temperature changes are strongly moderated by the surrounding waters of Lake Superior, the coldest of the Great Lakes. Bring plenty of warm clothing, even in August.
Month: June
Average high (°F)temp 62
Average low (°F)temp 43
Normal Precipitation(inches) 3.1
WHO IS GOING: 6 hikers
Average hiking per day: 8 miles.
CAMPSITES: Campsites cannot be reserved, except for group campsites by groups of seven to ten. Shelters cannot be reserved. Individual sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of tent or shelter sites are limited. Be prepared to travel to an alternate campground in case the one where you plan to stay is full.
WATER: Drinking water should be filtered due to the possibility of getting tapeworm. If filter is suitable for Giardia it will be adequate to filter out tapeworm.
