September 2018

After getting up at 6 am we drove from our campground through the morning fog to Copper Harbor, Michigan. We boarded the Royale Queen IV passenger ferry and set sail for the Isle Royale at 8 am. It was foggy on the 3 1/2 hour journey but seas were calm so that was good. Once we arrived on the island we got off the ferry and one of the park rangers gave us some instructions and directed us to the lodge.

About 1/2 of the passengers on the ferry set off on foot with backpacks to camp on the island. There are thirty-six backcountry camping areas, including some on other islands that you can canoe, kayak or take a water taxi to. One group we talked to on the way back had been camping in the backcountry for 12 days!

The hotel was quite old and could use some TLC but our room had a great little patio right on Lake Superior and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore was magical.

After getting settled in we went to one of the two restaurants on the island for lunch.

That afternoon I hiked the 5-mile Stoll Trail starting at the Rock Harbor Lodge and winding through the forest and lakeshore, ending at Scoville Point. The fog made my pictures a bit eerie but beautiful too.

Along the path I spotted many squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits but the 1,200 moose on the island remained elusive. We heard many stories of moose spotting but we had no such luck 🙁

We had dinner at the lodge that evening and fell asleep later listening to the waves on the shore. We woke up to bright sunshine and calm waters the next day. Such a treat!

After breakfast Richard and I went on a hike by one of the campgrounds and then along the seashore.

We had a lovely hike, skimmed stones on the lake and enjoyed the beautiful day.

 

Back at the harbor, waiting for our afternoon ferry, we watched the kayakers coming and going and others setting off in the water taxi for other islands.

Then it was time to board the ferry for the trip back to Cooper Harbor. I got a picture of our lodge from the water and you can see some of the surrounding islands.

Our trip back was smooth and perfect. We were thankful because we had heard stories of 5′ to 7′ waves on the lake for some of the trips! We had a nice dinner in Copper Harbor before heading back to our campground.

It was a fun adventure and we were glad that we had visited Isle Royale!