Jeremy Rowe and his cousins made a trip to Isle Royale over the weekend and said it was great, despite the freezing temperatures and even some snow, they had a great time.

The guys did some kayaking and fishing, despite the wind and waves. May isn't exactly the ideal time to head over to Isle Royale, since often times, there is still ice in some of the coves there this time of year. But the main advantages to a spring visit are NO BUGS and hardly any other people. Jeremy said it was serene and desolate at the same time. He also added that they didn't mind the cold so much, as they had liquid refreshements to help keep them warm. Hardy Yoopers, braving the elements for some Lake Superior adventures!

WOW! Awesome!!

Just intrigued by Loren Eiseley's observation in "The Firmament of Time". About 1960.

The television networks seek the lowest denominator which will entrance their mass audience--
"Normal" man should conform;
the deviant is pathological.
It has them, not they it.

I've always envied those who weren't afraid to go to
Isle Royale. Would love to go there but terrified
to go that far out on that lake. Let's say I have a
very healthy respect for her. Nice pictures!!!!

Curious how long it takes to get there in a little boat like that? Very courageous!

Hardy Yoopers indeed!! Their arms must have been tired paddling all the way to Isle Royale..... :P

Probably worked up a good sweat paddling for 45 miles!

Sisu, sums these hearty guys up!

I would love to visit there. There's islands in the inland lakes of Isle Royale. Can you see Canada from the north shore of the island?

Its the true outdoors people who brave the
elements to go to Isle Royale at this time of
year. Thanks for sharing the great pics though.

Awesome adventure, and a great review!

I will have to go to Isle Royale next summer to work on a project I'm doing in Michigan geology. That will be a real treat as I have never been to Isle Royale, believe it or not! But, next summer I also get to take Dr. Nat to Mackinac Island which she has never been. This summer we'll be working in Lower Michigan on the same project before spending a week in the Keweenaw....

Deb:

You can fly out and back from Houghton County
Airport. It's only a short 30 minute flight and
the views are fantastic. The Ranger III ferry is a
very good second choice with a typical ride that
is more smooth than the other ferries can be.

Thomas,

Canada is quite visible, even from Lake level.
The views towards Canada from the Greenstone
Ridge are fantastic. This picture is looking
north from Lookout Louise near the Greenstone
Ridge, elevation about 300 feet above Lake
Superior.

Nice pic, D.A.!
Capt...from what I've been seeing on the news, you could almost paddle a canoe from the front door of your home to Isle Royale. We have an office in Austin and my employer said it was torrential there, as well.

I’m so envious of Jeremy right now. Isle Royale is one of my favorite places. It was described best by now retired IR Ranger Greg, "While other national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite 'shout' at you, Isle Royale 'whispers'." Isle Royale has one of the highest return visitation rates (maybe the highest) of all national parks. I've been 8 times since first going in 1975. I’m considering a short visit this summer during this year’s Pastyland visit but I’ve only ever been in May and September (pre and post bugs)

These Pasty Gallery pictures are from my most recent visit in 2013:
http://gallery.pasty.com/thumbnails.php?album=3663

Much of its geology is a mirror image of the Keweenaw but due to the cooling effect of Lake Superior, the Boreal Forest of the Island matches more closely to areas much further north in Canada.

Boy, you got that right Alex! It's been nasty here since the beginning of April but I fear that when it does stop raining, the mosquitoes are going to be horrendous!!!!

And yes, Isle Royale matches the geology of the Keweenaw as it is the other side of the Rift. In fact, the Greenstone Ridge can be traced from the cliffs on the Keweenaw under Lake Superior to the Greenstone Ridge on Isle Royale; it is the same series of basalt flows.

From Todd Harbor on the north shore, you can see car headlight in Thunder Bay.

Excellent information, great pix, great website!