We left Marquette the morning of the 17th of October. We drove to Grand Marais and spent the night at the Super 8 Motel. The morning of the 18th we got up and drove to the Boat launch. Here is a photo of the sign to the launch.
Here is a picture of the dock area as seen from the water. There is a small store in the foreground and a motel in back. If we had known about this motel, We might have stayed there. Grand Marais was nice though and the 1/2 hour drive wasn't too bad.
The Voyager II first took us from Grand Portage, Minnesota to Washington Island, where we dropped off Chris Casey and Rick Scibelli, two reporters from the Duluth news who were there to write a story on the fishermen who live there. The Voyager II also delivers the mail to this island off the western end of Isle Royale.
Washington Island is very picturesque with it's simple structures and rustic look. It looks like something out of a postcard. We also got our first glimpse of wildlife here when a Bald Eagle cruised overhead. He was too far for a picture though.
Here we are in front of the Voyager II at the dock in Windigo Harbor which lies at the West end of Isle Royale. Photo was taken by Patti and Mike who were also passengers on our trip over. They had been married on October 14, just like us and were on their honeymoon too. Quite a coincidence! Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of them. Patti and Mike, want to send me one and I'll scan it and put it here. :)
This sign lies at the end of the dock which is just below the ranger station.
These posts mark the trail heads throughout Isle Royale. Our first day took us from Windigo to the campsite at Island Mine. This post was at the head of the trail to Island Mine. Total distance for the first day was 5 miles.
At each campsite, there is a site map that shows where the sites are. This one also shows the outhouse location and where the water supply is.
Ranger Steve Martin (really) at the ranger station warned us that the creek at Island Mine was low. He said it was dry a couple weeks ago. Fortunately for us, there was a little trickle when we got there. We were able to get enough water but the leaves did a number on my filter.
Our mess area at Island Mine.
The Island Mine campsite.
My Sweetie.
The campsites on Isle Royale have pit toilets. These are outhouses with metal (brr) seats. There was toilet paper in the outhouses at Windigo but further inland, we had to use our own. This late in the season, they are preparing to leave the island for the winter and things are starting to get tidied up.
Day two we traveled from Island Mine to Lake Desor. This was about a 7 mile hike. Here is a moose skull we saw just out of Island Mine.
The Site map at Lake Desor.
As we were setting up camp at Lake Desor, we heard Loons calling out on the lake. We snuck down to the water and one of the loons drifted close enough for me to get a few pictures. Shortly after the loons came out, about 6 otters were out playing. They were too far to catch any good shots though.
Breakfast on day 3 at Lake Desor. We had the tarp up because it looked like rain. We never felt a drop though.
Mmmm. Potato Pancakes and fried jerky.
This plank made an excellent kitchen table.
We saw a lot of these butterflies on the island. I was lucky to get close enough to one to get this shot. I still need to look it up and see what kind it was.
Near the group campsites at Lake Desor there is this beach. We felt pretty grungy after 2 days of hiking so we decided to go for a swim.
Even without soap it was very refreshing. Especially with a water temp around 50 degrees, according to my thermometer.

It felt colder. :)

Wolf track on the beach.
Outhouse among paper birch trees.
On the morning of the fourth day, we were up fairly early to get a jump on the 11 mile day we had ahead of us. I was starting to grab stuff from the tent when I saw this fox lying at the edge of the campsite watching me. I whispered to Nancy to hand me my camera. She handed it out and I was able to squeeze off a few shots. It was not very light out yet so the moving fox is a little blurry.
Bob and Gary. We met these guys on the trail a little before we got to Lake Desor. They had started from Rock Harbor and were on their way to Windigo. It was strange meeting people on the trail after being to ourselves for almost two days. The people on Isle Royale were few and far between but everyone we met was very friendly.
On day 4, on the hike from Lake Desor to Windigo, we ran into Phil Shelton. Phil is a researcher who has been counting Beaver on Isle Royale since the 60's. He was on his way down to the beaver lodges to do some more counting. Phil had some great stories to tell.
Phil took this photo of us.
There were lots of Red Squirrels on the trails. They are quick to scold if you enter their territory.
Another fox near Windigo.
The muddy parts of the island have these boards to help make travel easier. I imagine they also lessen the damage to the trails that would result from a bunch of people trekking through the mud.
The site map at Washington creek campground just outside of Windigo.
Washington Creek has these shelters at the campsites. We were looking forward to a night without having to set up a tent.
A tent might have served as an advantage here though to provide a wind break. The front of the shelters has only a screen to protect from the cold. In the long run, we went without a tent an we were just fine. It did seem to warm up that night.
The shelter on the inside.
The picnic table overlooking Washington Creek.
Sunday (day 5) morning at around 6am we were awakened by the sound of something splashing in the water. Something big. There was also a loud clacking sound that I just couldn't put my finger on. It was too dark to see so we laid there listening for about 20 minutes. Then we finally got up and crept out o the water's edge where we saw two bull moose standing. Then, they started walking. Splash, splash! As they got close to each other, they locked antlers and started sparring right there in front of us. What a sight! By the time it was light enough to get this blurry photo, they had come inland. Look at their size next to our shelter!
We followed the moose and ran into Bob and Gary, who had been following a little longer than we had. They said that there were originally three bulls and the other had taken off. We finally got sight of him and he was definitely the dominant moose. One of our original two went into the water and, because he was making so much noise, I was able to get close to him for these shots.
Here he is crossing the road after getting out of the water. Adult bull moose stand 6-8 feet tall at the shoulder.
Another shot of the moose in some trees.
I went out on the nature trail hoping to intercept the moose again but I came up empty. I did see this tree growing out of some dirt on the top of a large boulder.
I thought this Grey Jay was going to land on our heads.
Landing back at the boat launch. Thus ending a wonderful stay at Isle Royale. I can tell you this: We'll be back. I can see now why Isle Royale is the least visited National Park and the most revisited.