MI > Isle Royale National Park - September 2015 - pre-pre-planning

[OneClick]

I thought I would throw this out there just to see what sticks.

I'm looking to visit IR next September for 4-5 nights. I'm more of a solo hiker, but I'm not real sure about this one. I know there are many here that did it solo or as a group and know what to expect. If anyone is interested in coming along, I may be open to that. Just not sure it will even pan out yet due to time, money, wife lets me etc.

My initial plan:
- Sunday - drive 10 hours to Houghton, MI. Sleep somewhere in car Sunday night.
- Monday - fly one-way Royale Air Service plane to the island (Windigo).
- Monday-Friday - hike across the island, explore and kill time depending on pace.
- Saturday - take Ranger III ferry back to Houghton. Drive at least half way home, sleep in the woods near Gaylord, then finish up Sunday. Or I may drive thru WI instead.

I plan on obtaining a cross country permit so I have the option of setting up camp off trail. I understand the terrain can be difficult, so this will depend on how I feel physically after arriving to each established camp site.

I'm not sure how to get back to my car parked at the airport after getting off the boat. It's a good 6mi away. Walk? Taxi? Jet pack?

My cost:
Parking M-Sa.............................24.00
Nightly fee M-F..........................20.00
Plane ticket one way (arriving)....210.00
Boat one way (leaving)...............53.00
Gas @ $3.25/gal........................131.05 (add $100 for the Jeep if my dad doesn't let me borrow his small car)
TOTAL.....................................$438.05

For an extra $50 I could simply take the plane both ways, but I thought it would be a nice experience to do both. 6 hours though...maybe not?

So, that's where I'm at right now. It's a long time away but wanted to start planning in case it happens.

[Stone]

If you are on a tight time schedule, I would drive the extra hour+ to Copper Harbor and take the Queen. Costs a little more, but they pretty much always sail. When we were up there this last time, the day we left, all of the planes were canceled, due to weather. The only boat that could take them back was the Queen and they were on standby, the boat was packed. They then had to coordinte with Royale Air to get back to Houghton.

[OneClick]

I would prefer that boat actually, but then I would really be far from my car when returning.

[JasonACraft]

I'm planning on doing this next september as well, but I've got a lot of things to figure out between now and then. Maybe we can work something out as time gets closer.

[OneClick]

I'm planning on doing this next september as well, but I've got a lot of things to figure out between now and then. Maybe we can work something out as time gets closer.

Hey there right in my neck of the woods too! Let's keep it on the back burner for when it gets closer like you said.

[CamoEvo]

Sounds like my trip, but I'm only an hour from Houghton. You can get a cab in Houghton. Don't depend on the plane being on time, it gets delayed a lot due to weather, you might have to wait a day or two wherever you are. I didn't have a problem staying at campsites, but I was solo. It would probably be a challenge in many areas to hang more than one hammock.

I might meet you going the other way, I'm hoping to go there in September, but going the opposite direction and hitting different trails I didn't do this year. I might go in May, or September, or both.

[OneClick]

Thanks for the info. I don't mind waiting if it means not taking a swim in Superior!

[3club]

I'm going to keep this one on my radar.

[Stone]

I'm going to keep this one on my radar.

You never go with us. My feelings would be hurt...if I had them.

[3club]

You never go with us. My feelings would be hurt...if I had them.

You never tell me about them. Until after you're back! I think of all the Tamarack type adventures I've missed.