It is a cold and foggy morning at Feldtmann Lake. Despite the less than ideal conditions, I am overjoyed the bone-chilling cold of the previous morning at Washington Creek campground does not make a reappearance. Hopefully, the weather gets warm enough to finally drink down that Foster’s beer stuck in my backpack since leaving Windigo
Aside: My first moose encounter on Isle Royale, times two!
Moose. Isle Royale‘s moose are legendary. However, during the past eight days on the island, there has not been much sign of any except some old antlers, a few tracks and some piles of scat. By the morning of the ninth day, I am starting to lose hope that I will ever see one in
Isle Royale Trip: Exploring Rainbow Cove While Staying at Feldtmann Lake Campground
Finally, after walking through seemingly endless forest, I arrive at the Feldtmann Lake Campground. Instead of diving right in and following the spur trail to the campground, I continue along the main trail until I reach the farthest end of the campground. I plan to work myself back, examining each campsite as I go, instead
Isle Royale Trip: Arriving at Feldtmann Lake
The expansive coniferous forest in Isle Royale‘s southwestern corner, uninterrupted except for a wetland surrounding Grace Creek, is my destination for the remainder of the day as I journey to Feldtmann Lake. Grace Creek Outlook’s view reminds me of just how far I need to travel before the day is finally done. And, as impressive
Isle Royale Trip: The Climb to Grace Creek Outlook Along the Feldtmann Lake Trail
Brrrr! C-c-c-old, very c-c-c-old. The morning of my eighth day on Isle Royale is absolutely freezing. Or, at least, very close to it. Sometime in the night, I put on nearly all my clothes, just as I did the night before. Even fully ensconced in the typically warm-enough Highlite sleeping bag, with almost every piece
Isle Royale Trip: A Wrinkle in My Plans and Other Events at Windigo Ranger Station
Good-byes are always difficult. My rest day at Windigo is full of good-byes. Good-bye to the Minong Ridge, good-bye to the cohort I hiked with from McCargoe Cove, and good-bye to half of my opportunities to see a moose and/or wolf. I think about these things while I wolf down my lunch back at my
Aside: A Thimbleberry By Any Other Name…
Common names of plants cause all sorts of problems. Common names are often regional, with identical species having disparate names in two different locales. The opposite case, where more than a single species share the same name in different areas is even more common. Differences in common names readily lead to misunderstandings. It is easy
Isle Royale Trip: Rest Day at Windigo Ranger Station, Part One
Rest days are for rest. And, plenty of it. Unfortunately, they are for chores too. And I have plenty of those too on my only rest day at Washington Creek Campground. The morning of the only rest day on my journey across the Isle Royale is bitterly cold. Or, at the very least, well below
Isle Royale Trip: My First Night at Washington Creek Campground
The Minong Ridge Trail is over. Completed. Done. Kaput. Now only the Feldtmann and Greenstone Ridge Trails are left for the final week of my Isle Royale Trip. After a morning of ascents and descents, followed by an afternoon of repeated ridges overlooking beaver-created wetlands, I finally make it to the Washington Creek Campground. It
Isle Royale Trip: Inching My Way Towards Washington Creek along the Minong Ridge Trail
The constant ups-and-downs of the Minong Ridge Trail works up quite an appetite. And with a resupply package soon to arrive in Windigo (or so I surely hope), almost anything in my rapidly shrinking food bag is fair game. First up is a peanut butter and blackberry jelly sandwich, on a piece of multigrain round
