Anyone done a backpacking trip there.

Friend of mine wants to go there this summer. We know you need back country permits for camping but can get them once you get there. Just have to have options for where you camp as you may not get your first choice.

We are planing the seaplane option to get to the island since it's quicker then the boat ride and I've never been on a sea plane.

Looking for any first hand experiences there.

Two words: Bug Repellant. And your decision to go by seaplane is smart. The boat that makes the trip is called the Barf Barge for good reason. And some water purifiers (steripen) are not rated for a parasite in IR waters. I would shoot for a visit after Labor Day, less bugs and other tourists. If you go in September, nights can be in the 30s.

Man up and canoe over

Make sure they’re open to visitors this year.

They have wolves. Thought you would be interested. There is a forum member who has spent considerable time there. Hopefully he will post.

Since I dont wish to try and dissuade from your trip, I hesitate to say this, but:
When I first moved up here I was interested in doing the Isle Royale trip. I did just an out and back, one day visit. And it was... Ok. I found that while remote (and lots of folks want remote) there are lots of other options that offer a similar experience, with less cost and hassles.
Examples:
Pictured Rocks. Great camping and park. And you can drive to Munising for a decent meal. No Moose or wolves, though. And we have Moose in western Marquette County you can see from time to time.
Grand Island. Mini Isle Royale right next door to Munising. Hike, bike and camp. No Moose. Lots of folks kayak around Grand Island and Pictured Rocks but Lake Superior can be dangerous.
Craig Lake SP. Most remote SP in Michigan.
Seney NWR. Close enough to Pictured Rocks you can do both. I like the Driggs River country north of the refuge for fishing (trout) but have not camped up there. You can kayak the Driggs too, especially down close to where it joins the Manistique River.
Porcupine Mountain SP. Pretty much the Isle Royale experience, minus the seaplane or Barf Barge.
Tahquamenon Falls SP. Touristy, but you can go over to Paradise and do the Shipwreck Museum.
McCormick Tract. A remote area in northern Marquette County in Federally designated wilderness. A hike on the Bentley Trail up into the Huron Mountains should satisfy your need for remote.
If you really want a remote Northwood experience, check out Boundary Waters NP. Thats a serious trip.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Since I dont wish to try and dissuade from your trip, I hesitate to say this, but:
When I first moved up here I was interested in doing the Isle Royale trip. I did just an out and back, one day visit. And it was... Ok. I found that while remote (and lots of folks want remote) there are lots of other options that offer a similar experience, with less cost and hassles.
Examples:
Pictured Rocks. Great camping and park. And you can drive to Munising for a decent meal. No Moose or wolves, though. And we have Moose in western Marquette County you can see from time to time.
Grand Island. Mini Isle Royale right next door to Munising. Hike, bike and camp. No Moose. Lots of folks kayak around Grand Island and Pictured Rocks but Lake Superior can be dangerous.
Craig Lake SP. Most remote SP in Michigan.
Seney NWR. Close enough to Pictured Rocks you can do both. I like the Driggs River country north of the refuge for fishing (trout) but have not camped up there. You can kayak the Driggs too, especially down close to where it joins the Manistique River.
Porcupine Mountain SP. Pretty much the Isle Royale experience, minus the seaplane or Barf Barge.
Tahquamenon Falls SP. Touristy, but you can go over to Paradise and do the Shipwreck Museum.
McCormick Tract. A remote area in northern Marquette County in Federally designated wilderness. A hike on the Bentley Trail up into the Huron Mountains should satisfy your need for remote.
If you really want a remote Northwood experience, check out Boundary Waters NP. Thats a serious trip.

I'd like to add:


Muskallonge Lake State Park
Two Hearted River State Forest.
Bodi Lake
Blind Sucker Set Forest Campgounds

I Haven't been to Bass Lake but that one also. All around Newberry, MI

Should be some online info for where one can camp once there. I can see if one wants to go there, scratching the itch so to speak.

They transplanted some wolves cuz the moose numbers got to high. They didn’t like my idea of offering a high $$ moose hunt. They also like to study what happens when hungry wolves meet a moose. I could tell them what happens, again, not interested.

There are fairly remote options available at Pictured Rocks & a few other places mentioned, but then, can’t say ‘you’ve been to Isle Royal’.

You will meet the granola tree-hugger types going out to Isle Royal.

Mr Yooper Sigs list is an outstanding alternative or add on to your trip. There are more things to see and do in the UP than you will ever imagine.

I'd like to do it some day, too, but I agree with YooperSigs...there are a lot of great options on the mainland UP that are less hassle.

One note about backpacking Pictured Rocks...I've been researching it for a possible trip this year, and it looks like you have to actually reserve campsites by the night. I don't love this as it takes a lot of the flexibility out of your trip, and you are forced to make miles committed to in advance. Shouldn't be a huge issue, as I've day hiked it plenty and it's pretty easy going...but something to be aware of if you decided to go that route. Isle Royale is actually more flexible in that regard...but you don't have guaranteed space at any given site. I would definitely plan to take a tent or a hammock, as I've heard the shelters tend to fill up. And make sure your rain gear is up to snuff...it can be wet.

Craig Lake SP also looks really cool. YooperSigs and I actually corresponded about that some last fall, but I didn't end up getting to go due to work obligations. Hopefully we can make it happen this year.

Anywhere you go in MI in the summer...you're gonna want to stock up on bug spray. Take a head net, long pants, and you probably ought to treat your stuff with Permethrine before going, too. The bugs up there are like nothing I've ever experienced. The mosquitos are thick but the bug spray will mostly keep them at bay. The stable flies don't care about the spray, though, and on our last trip I was literally smashing hand-fulls of them at a time on my ankles and calves...absolutely disgusting, and their bites hurt! They like to swarm the legs and ankles, so long pants are a must.

These guys I follow on YouTube have a good 3-part series on backpacking Isle Royale. They also did one on Pictured Rocks if you're interested. Here's a link to the first episode of the Isle Royale Series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbPBx4bu0VM

I have Canyon Falls on my bucket list since I read an article on it.

I haven't been there yet, but it sounds interesting.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.co...gan/grand-canyon-mi/

Past the falls sits what many call “The Grand Canyon of Michigan,” or Canyon Gorge. This magnificent site is a hidden gem, as the Mitten State isn’t usually associated with this type of natural canyon formation

Canyon Falls is an easy visit but can be a little risky. Rescues are needed there from time to time with the most recent about a week ago, involving a woman who fell and sustained a serious head injury.
After Canyon Falls, drive a short distance north on 41 to Alberta. A "Ford Town" fully restored with the sawmill intact. Then off to the Hilltop Restaurant in L'Anse, where you can buy a killer Cinnamon Roll the size of a hubcap.