taco2go
Explorer
I thought I'd share a few pictures of Lake Superior's crown Jewel . Isle Royale is probably the most remote of the National Parks and likely the least frequented. More people visit Yosemite in a single day than visit Isle Royale all year. Probably because of its limited accessability- a four hour ferry ride over turbulent seas or via seaplane. It is also the most revisited National park (probably for the same reason- and the lucky few who make it out here seem to know it)
Isle Royal would have actually been part of Canada's Thunder Bay were it not for the fault that caused the island to fold up along with the 450 or so surrounding islands, once the glaciers melted to form the great lakes. (totally my take on geology here) . So the island itself exists as an above water remnant of the enormous Lake Superior basin, flanked on the opposite side by the Keweenaw penninsula.
Bottom line is that it has some incredible geology – giant slabs of ridged rocks, one of which runs the along the entire spine of the 50 mile long island. It is only 5 miles wide. The North east end, where I limited this short stay to, has beautiful mammoth rock formations, rimmed with spruce and balsam fir that provide great photo ops particularly on cloudy foggy days.
Plenty of critters, and the island is actually home to the longest study of any predator-prey system in the world. The Wolf- Moose project has been ongoing since 1958. You will very likely see or hear moose if you're there for more than a day.
A true hidden paradise for sea kayaking and canoeing- this is the best way to explore the island. You can set up camp along almost any portion of the coast. There are numerous hiking trails with a few backcountry campsites scattered at various places on the island. Cross country camping is next to impossible as the foliage is so dense.
Rugged weather accompanies this rugged landscape, and the park is closed Nov through April during the frigid winters. I was actually hoping for the typical variance in local climate. Instead I chanced upon the only series of perfectly cloudless days the island will probably see all year .
Anyway, good weather made for some thoroughly enjoyable minimalist backpacking this past week, and I was able to get a few pictures that I feel reflect the character of this beautifully remote Michigan secret. Hope you enjoy them and please feel free to share your own Isle Royle pictures in this thread.
EDIT- fixed some broken links in the thread .
Isle Royal would have actually been part of Canada's Thunder Bay were it not for the fault that caused the island to fold up along with the 450 or so surrounding islands, once the glaciers melted to form the great lakes. (totally my take on geology here) . So the island itself exists as an above water remnant of the enormous Lake Superior basin, flanked on the opposite side by the Keweenaw penninsula.
Bottom line is that it has some incredible geology – giant slabs of ridged rocks, one of which runs the along the entire spine of the 50 mile long island. It is only 5 miles wide. The North east end, where I limited this short stay to, has beautiful mammoth rock formations, rimmed with spruce and balsam fir that provide great photo ops particularly on cloudy foggy days.
A true hidden paradise for sea kayaking and canoeing- this is the best way to explore the island. You can set up camp along almost any portion of the coast. There are numerous hiking trails with a few backcountry campsites scattered at various places on the island. Cross country camping is next to impossible as the foliage is so dense.
Rugged weather accompanies this rugged landscape, and the park is closed Nov through April during the frigid winters. I was actually hoping for the typical variance in local climate. Instead I chanced upon the only series of perfectly cloudless days the island will probably see all year .
Anyway, good weather made for some thoroughly enjoyable minimalist backpacking this past week, and I was able to get a few pictures that I feel reflect the character of this beautifully remote Michigan secret. Hope you enjoy them and please feel free to share your own Isle Royle pictures in this thread.
EDIT- fixed some broken links in the thread .
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) that adds that effect.
