This year we left town on August 23rd and returned home on Sept. 2nd with a hotel stay at the beginning and the end to cut down on the long driving time. There was 9 people all together. We had basically 2 different hiking itineraries. Once we arrived on the island, we divided. My group consisted of 5pp. Ron, Cindy, Barb, Lori and myself. Enjoy the trip!
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| Lori, Kevin,Terry, Joe, Gary, Cindy Ron and Barb |
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| This year we took the Voyager over to the island. About 2 hours. This is the captain, giving us instructions. |
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| Gary, Ron and Lori enjoying the breeze on the way over. |
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| Barb, Cindy, Ron, Lori and Kevin enjoying each others company. |
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| Finally there. Windigo dock. in the Washington Harbor |
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| We all have to file our hiking itineraries. This took quite a while. |
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| First stop is Island Mine - 5.8 miles |
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| Found this little caterpillar on the trail. I wonder what it will be. |
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| Lots of colorful berries |
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| Some type of tree fungus |
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| We were too late for the Jack in the Pulpit flower. Look at the base, the seed pod is bright green. |
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| First campsite. Lori, Barb, Cindy and mine. |
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| My tent space |
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| Island Mine campground Day 1 -We stayed at group #2 |
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| Part of the trail on day 2 on the way to South Desor Campground |
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| Lori and I on the highest point on the Island. Mount Desor 1394 feet |
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| I met this Grandmother (Linda) and Grandson (Jason) today. We talked for quite a while. They have been hiking on the Island for about 6 years, among other places. A few years ago.... I met a grandmother and grandson on the island at the Daisy Farm campground. I talked for a while with them back then and Linda told me that Jason was responsible for filtering all the water while they were there. I can remember that Jason was chasing grasshoppers and butterflies. I truly believe it was these two. She was an inspiration for me back then, and she still is. |
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| South Lake Desor Campground - Day 2, we stayed at Group #1 |
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| I had a great dinner. Salami and cheese bagel with a little mustard. Bottle of water on the side. |
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| My tent |
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| View of Lake Desor from our campsite |
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| Sunset at South Desor |
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| Sunset from South Desor |
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| Sunset from South Desor |
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| Some fungus along the trail day 3 |
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| First stop today Ishpeming Point |
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| I can't say enough how much I enjoy the views on the ridges. Cindy looks like she enjoys them also. |
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| Love those trees! |
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| Almost there - Hatchet Lake Campground - view from the trail |
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| Hatchet Lake Campground day 3, we stayed at group 3 |
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| Ron and Cindy left us a sign to let us know what site to go to. #3 |
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| Looks like Barb is enjoying the camp furniture. My tent pad had a chair on it, so I moved it to Barb's space before she arrived. |
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| My tent set up at Hatchet Lake campground |
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| Every night, Ron was the storyteller. |
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| Looking up to the sky from my tent |
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| Sunrise from Hatchet Lake |
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| All the campgrounds have privies. Some campgrounds have more than 1. |
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| Leaving in the morning, I saw this pair of moose antlers. They were very heavy! |
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| Lori tried one on - too heavy |
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| We saw Mergansers and an occasional Loon |
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| Indian Pipe - I just love finding these. |
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| There seemed to be lots of fungus on the island this year. |
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| The foliage is so unique here on the island |
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| Solomon's Seal berries |
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| Thimble berries were plentiful this year. |
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| View on the way to Todd Harbor |
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| Todd Harbor Campground Day 4 & 5, Group #1 |
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| View from Todd Harbor |
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| Some berries on the trail |
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| Cindy and I went out for lunch at the Haytown Mine and Watefall. We brought our lunches |
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| What's left of the Haytown Mine shaft |
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| A section of the waterfall - only waterfall on the island |
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| End of the waterfall going into Lake Superior |
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| Sitting at the waterfall looking out at the Lake. Look closely in the distance..... check out the orange spot. That is Lori, checking out the scenery. |
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| One of 2 harmless snakes at Todd Harbor |
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| Snake #2 |
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| The "Penthouse" My tent is on the hill |
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| This little Snowshoe Hare made many appearances while we were here. We often left thimble berries on the rock. Look, there is one on the rock now. |
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| Found this fishing lure on the sitting rocks at Todd Harbor |
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| View from Todd Harbor looking West |
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| View from Todd Harbor |
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| Found this pair of antlers on a day hike with Cindy and Ron |
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| View of Otter Lake |
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| They aren't my favorite. They really freak me out. Frogs |
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| Another Snowshoe hare |
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| Sunset at Todd Harbor |
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| Sunset at Todd Harbor |
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| Sunset at Todd Harbor |
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| Sunset at Todd Harbor |
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| A stream on the way to Little Todd Campground |
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| Made it to the Junction, now let the hike begin |
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| This walkway is in very bad disrepair. The Minong Trail is the most rugged trail on the island. The trails are not well marked, and there are numerous trail hazards, such as downed trees, beaver dams, and extra long plank trails among other things. |
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| I think they need a bridge here. Soon this log will be decomposed beyond use. |
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| When you see a sign post, it means your almost there. |
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| Little Todd Harbor Day #6, Campsite number 1 |
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| Our tents |
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| Rock on the beach |
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| View of the shoreline from Little Todd Harbor Campsite |
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| Cool looking rock along the beach. Love the swirls. |
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| Cool rocks on the beach |
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| We all shared this dessert. Key Lime Coconut Cheesecake. 4 spoons, 4 sections. excellent!! |
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| These White birch sections are all over. Pretty neat that the water from the lake washes out the insides. |
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| Sunset at Little Todd Harbor |
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| Sunset at Little Todd Harbor |
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| Everyone was enjoying the Sunset at Little Todd Harbor |
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| Sunrise at Little Todd Harbor |
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| Still love the trees!! Reminds me of Where's Waldo! |
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| Touch me nots are blooming |
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| Yes, this is the trail on the way to North Desor |
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| Lori and I on the Ridge |
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| Ferns were plentiful, all sizes |
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| There are many types of lichen on Isle Royale |
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| This is the closest we got to a moose. |
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| No we didn't have to go up and over. |
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| I was taking a break and saw this blue jay nearby |
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| I met Christie and Phil from Metro Detroit |
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| North Lake Desor Campground Day 7 Site # 3 |
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| Campsite |
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| View of Lake Desor from our campsite |
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| View from Lake Desor from the shore. These rocks were great for drying clothes. |
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| Sunrise from North Lake Desor |
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| Next stop Windigo |
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| View of Canada from the Ridge |
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| Moss covered tree |
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| A little color on the trail |
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| Today we crossed about 5 beaver dams. This was the worst of the worst. Never wish to do this again. |
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| Lovely flowers on the ridge |
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| Didn't see many of these - straw flowers |
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| This was the mother of all plank boardwalks. When we arrived at Windigo we found out this boardwalk was just finished and is 500 feet long. |
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| After seeing this, now I know why we saw so many beaver dams. |
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| More little mushrooms. Check out the color! |
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| Doll's eyes were everywhere |
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| Last great view on the Minong Ridge |
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| 1.8 to go... |
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| Washington Harbor Campground Day #8, site #9 |
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| All packed up and ready to go |
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| Ron, Me, Cindy and Lori |
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| Tom from Evanston. He also was an inspiration on this trip. He was 58 when he hiked all of the Appalachian Trail. (I plan to do it when I'm 60). He is currently 75 (I think I have this correct). I also invited him to come to Walker's Club some Thursday. I really hopes he comes for a visit. |
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| You can take a plane from Copper Harbor to the Island in 20 minutes one way. Maybe next year. We did it once, maybe its time for a flight again. |
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| Those are some nice looking packs, not to mention the chairs. |
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| The end is here until next year. |
