Backpacking Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Just returned from a backpacking/photography trip to Isle Royale National Park. What an amazing place! Isle Royale is the least visited National Park in the United States-lucky for us!-due to its remote location in the middle of Lake Superior. We drove all the way to Copper Harbor, Michigan at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula and took the Isle Royale Queen IV over to the island. It was a great choice considering some of the dilapidated-looking boats some of the other groups motored in on. Thankfully the lake wasn’t too choppy, although a few passengers still suffered some reversal of fortune…BLAH! I was amazed how cold it was in the middle of the lake. The air temperature was easily 40 degrees colder than on land and the middle of lake including the island was covered in a veil of biting fog.

Although I’ve taken pictures all over the United States, Isle Royale is easily one of the most picturesque of the national parks. With all the breathtaking vistas, northwood forests, and wildlife it is a photographer’s paradise. We had a great time trying out some new gear that Tracy won in a photography competition. Here are some of our favorite exposures from the trip:

Departing Copper Harbor for Isle Royale on board the Isle Royale Queen IV.

Mom and her baby moose. These three woke us up as they swam across the bay towards our campsite. This picture was taken the following morning.

Fresh wolf tracks!!!

Things we loved:
1) Loon calls in the afternoon.
2) Solitude
3) Baby moose
4) Bright stars
5) Lapping of the Lake Superior Surf.
6) Flaming Sunsets
7) Howling wolves
8) Tasty Perch
9) Eagles fishing
10) No BEARS!!! I met enough of those in Glacier N.P., Montana.


Things we hated:
1) Loon calls at 3am.
2) Quarter-sized blisters.
3) Heavy Packs.
4) Backpacking food – Thank God for microwavable bacon and cheese!!
5) Leaving the island.