isle royle

**Cool breeze** · 04-29-2014, 07:08

Youbet and I are thinkIng about a two week trip to the isle anyone spend that much time on the island at once any advice?

**TZBrown** · 04-29-2014, 08:35

Been there 4 times. Loved it, and will go back for more.

Where are you landing, and how long are you staying?

**Cool breeze** · 04-29-2014, 10:03

Probably leave from copper harbor staying two weeks trying to figure out logistics if anyone has stayed that long .food ? Hump it or drops ?

**TZBrown** · 04-29-2014, 10:38

If you are going end to end, check the mail boat schedule, Cache food at RH in 5 gal bucket in the forest, go to Windigo, leave another cache there, Loop the south side, Feldman loop back to Windigo, Pu cache, hit Minong trail to McCargoe Cove, back down to Greenstone E to 3 mile and then to RH, pick cache and eat at lodge. then down Daisey farm, back up to Greenstone and then back to Winddigo, pick up mail boat back to RH and leave from there. Or reverse the above route sending a mail drop to Windigo in a bucket. That eliminates the mail boat trips.

In 2 weeks you can cover most all of the trails on the island

Make sure to eat at the lodge, great food after a hike

**Cool breeze** · 04-29-2014, 10:55

Thanks TZ now more planning

**pizza** · 04-29-2014, 16:28

I'm booked the first week of June. My first trip to Isle Royale. I'm doing it solo. Starting at Rock Harbor and ending at Windigo. Pretty pumped!

**Stone** · 04-29-2014, 19:48

As TZ said I recommend a mail drop at Windigo. Had no problem with the mail arrival. Depending upon the time of your trip, if services are available I do believe that they have lockers at Rock Harbor that can be "rented".
Back in May of 2012 we did 7 days on the Island. If you get the chance spend a night at Lane Cove, few people head that way out of Rock Harbor, with most heading for Daisy Farm or 3 Mile. Its one of a few sites on the Island that you can catch a sunset over Superior.
I bought this book for the planning of my trip and it is a wealth of information.
http://www.isleroyale.info/

I have a couple of videos on my youtube page of our trip.

**youbet** · 04-29-2014, 20:40

Thanks any one been there in late August? Wondering about temps. Lows temps of course.

**Hoosierhammock** · 05-06-2014, 13:11

Originally Posted by youbet

Thanks any one been there in late August? Wondering about temps. Lows temps of course.

A group of us went in the last week of May last year. It was in the mid 40's at night and as high as 78 during the day. I believe that is unusually warm for that time of year though. I would have liked to go back this year, but my wedding and a trip to Ireland and Munich for our honeymoon is taking precedent of my vacation days.

**OCDave** · 05-06-2014, 13:48

Originally Posted by youbet

Thanks any one been there in late August? Wondering about temps. Lows temps of course.

Late August is IDEAL! Blueberries and Thimble berries fill the landscape. I LOVE Thimble berries. With no bears on the island, there is little competition for this bounty. Early August I have fed on Blue Berries to my satisfaction but, too few Thimble Berries

As far as temps- You'll be sitting in the middle of Lake Superior. I have experienced a temp drop from 70-80's to low 40's in an instant while camping on Isle Royale. We watched a front approach Daisy Farms from across the lake as a line where calm water turned to rough water. When that line reached shore at what I could only estimate to be 30-40 mph, we were hit in the face with gusts of cold wind. We scurried to tents in shorts and t-shirts and emerged in all the warm clothes we'd packed. This was June.

The earliest snowfall in MN history is August 30th. Chances are you'll have 80* days and 60* nights but be prepared for 40*.

I am planning to hike the Minong trail late August. Perhaps I'll see you there.

Good Luck

PS; did I mention there'd be Thimble Berries