IO/VMO: Isle Royale Loop (100+ miles)

Let's explore the most remote and rugged, yet incredibly beautiful Isle Royale National Park! Isle Royale is the least visited National Park, located in the middle of Lake Superior. It is hard to get to and involves a 7-hr drive from Minneapolis or Milwaukee and a 3-hr ferry from Copper Harbor, MI to Rock Harbor. I spent 3-days there a few years ago and wanted to come back ever since. The island is about 42 miles long and the trail around it is around 100 miles, depending on side trips and shortcuts. Camping is plentiful, but can get crowded, especially campsites close to Rock Harbor. There is a large moose population on the island, and I had my closest encounter with a moose there (it was awesome!). There are also wolves, but no bears!

This is a VMO trip and you will need this status with DCUL to attend. The splits will be 15-22 miles, and navigation can get very challenging on less traveled trails, so you need to be able to cover the distance and navigate along largely unmarked trails.

I am planning the trip June 5-13. Below is a tentative itinerary:
6/5: Fly to Minneapolis-St Paul (MSP), arriving by 10 am. I am renting a car. Drive to Copper Harbor, MI (7 hrs). Many lodging and camping options there. I am renting a cabin at Minnetonka resort that can fit up to 6 and will be happy to share.
6/6: Take Isle Royale Queen ferry to Rock Harbor at 8 am (3.5 hrs). Start hike.
6/6-6/12: Backpack around Isle Royale, see Caltopo for details. Splits are 15-22 miles, exact campsites TBD.
6/12: Take Isle Royale Queen ferry to Copper Harbor at 2:45 pm. Lodging at Copper Harbor.
6/13: Drive back to MSP, fly home.

I am keeping everyone on the waitlist. If you are committed to attend, please message me and I will move you off the waitlist.

NPS page: Isle Royale National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Caltopo (preliminary): Isle Royale Loop - CalTopo