Sea Kayaking at Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

The Trip

Being on Isle Royale is like going back in time. This 45-mile-long island in Lake Superior is a peaceful and beautiful destination. We will spend our week among moose, wolves, fox, rabbits, loons, and mergansers. A forest of maples, birches, and pines will surround us, just as it's encircled by Lake Superior. Isle Royale is in the largest inland freshwater lake -- and what is thought to be part of the largest lava flow -- on Earth. It is a place like no other.

This trip will provide us with six sea kayaking days that average about seven miles between camps. After arriving in camp, we will take to the water to explore. On any of our days we can choose to treat ourselves to afternoons of relaxation by the water to think and enjoy the beauty of nature. We will enjoy four different lovely camps: three are accessible only by boat and one will give us access to hiking trails.

Day 1: We will meet at 5:00 p.m. at the King Copper Motel in Copper Harbor, Michigan, where we will check our gear. Over dinner at the very special Harbor Haus we will get to know each other and orient ourselves to the journey.

Day 2: We will ferry over to the island on the Isle Royale Queen. This journey will show us the vastness of Lake Superior, while transporting us into another world -- the world of the loon, wolf, and moose. It is a uniquely quiet place, in the middle of our country but far away from everything. We will disembark the ferry at Rock Harbor and paddle around Scoville Point, past the mouth of Tobin Harbor to our camp at Merritt Lane. Most Isle Royale visitors stay in the campsites attainable by hiking trails. This remote camp and the following two camps are accessible only by water. They will give us the remoteness we are seeking on this wilderness vacation. 

Day 3: We will paddle to the Mount Franklin Trail and hike up to the top of Mount Franklin where we will have a 360-degree view of the main island and surrounding islands, as well as Thunder Bay, Ontario. We will explore Tobin Harbor and hike the Lookout Louise Trail to another gorgeous overlook of Lake Superior. Along our way, we will see the last few Life Lease cottages, which will transport us back to a time before the island was a national park. We will also see the Artist in Residence cottage.

Day 4: We will paddle to Raspberry Island and enjoy the lovely Nature Trail. There is no camping on this island, and it gives us a good perspective of island life with very little impact from humans. We will then paddle down to Tookers Island where we will set up camp in a screened-in shelter and enjoy the beauty of the island. The dock is a great jumping-off point for swimming in the refreshing Lake Superior water.

Day 5: We will paddle to Daisy Farm campground where we will hike to Mount Ojibway Fire Tower for another spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the island. Once we return from our hike, we will paddle to Caribou Island and set up camp.

Day 6: From Caribou we will paddle to the Edison Fishery and see what a commercial fishery looked like in the early 1900s. We will then visit the Rock Harbor Lighthouse, which is filled with artifacts from ships of the area and life on the island. Afterward we will hike to the Moose/Wolf Research Center and learn about the longest running predator/prey study, which is occurring on Isle Royale -- now in its 65th year. We will then return to Rock Harbor for a shower and lovely dinner at the Rock Harbor Lodge.

Day 7: In the morning we will hike on the Stoll Trail. It is a peaceful and lovely way to savor the beauty of the island. In the afternoon we will board the Isle Royale Queen for our journey home. The 3.5-hour ferry ride on that big water gives you an appreciation for the size and power of Lake Superior.

Getting There

We will meet at 5 p.m. in Copper Harbor, Michigan. The closest airport is in Houghton/Hancock, Michigan, which is 90 minutes south of Copper Harbor. We will be providing you with your fellow participants' names so you can discuss carpooling arrangements. Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

The first night's stay will be at King Copper Motel in Copper Harbor. The first meal provided is dinner on day one and the last meal will be lunch on day seven. Included in the trip price is our dinner at the Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor on the first night and at Rock Harbor Lodge on the last night. Meals are prepared with the guidance of the leaders in the traditional Sierra Club way, with each participant serving on a cook crew for several meals during the trip.

We will be staying at campsites every night on the island. At Rock Harbor there are showers, laundry facilities, a grocery, cafe, and restaurant. The other three campsites have outhouses.

Trip Difficulty

Kayaking is a wonderful way to explore the wild and often otherwise inaccessible Isle Royale shoreline. It requires boating skills and experience, stamina, and preparation. Although our paddles average 7 miles between camps, our longest paddle day is 12 miles. Also, the variables of two two-mile open-water crossings, weather, and potentially strong winds merit a moderate difficulty rating for this outing. Adequate pre-trip fitness preparation -- paying particular attention to shoulder, arm, torso, abdominal and back muscles -- is essential and will enhance your enjoyment. If not already doing so, you must begin a rigorous weekly exercise regime, which may include lifting weights and doing stretches focusing on the upper body. Since all wilderness kayak trips are somewhat strenuous, you owe it to yourself, as well as the group, to get in the best possible physical condition before the trip. When everyone is well-conditioned and well-prepared, we all will have a great time.

This trip is open to adult participants who are comfortable with wilderness camping and unpredictable weather. You must have previous kayaking experience and be able to swim. You will also want to enjoy being in a small boat surrounded by cold water, beautiful scenery, and possibly cool air, just inches above a very deep lake. You should feel safe and comfortable paddling for up to 12 miles, in winds of up to 14 miles an hour, in waves or swells of up to 2 feet. At times winds and waves arrive without advance warning. Some days may demand your inner resources to meet moderate or possibly strenuous (windy) conditions; other days may be mostly quiet and leisurely. Additionally, it is necessary that you can do a wet exit, an assisted rescue, and a self-rescue with a paddle float. If you have any questions about whether your kayaking experience is suitable for this trip, please contact the leader.

Equipment and Clothing

The cost of the trip does not include the kayak rental. There are two options for kayaks and kayaking gear:

1. You can bring your own kayak (subject to leader approval to ensure that it is suitable for this trip). You will need to bring a PFD or life jacket, which must be worn at all times while on the water. You will also need to bring a wet suit (or dry suit), paddle, spray skirt, rescue float, and bilge pump.
2. Or you can rent kayaks and associated gear from an outfitter in Copper Harbor. The trip leader can inform you about the rental options.

Additionally, you will need dry bags (10 liters or smaller) that are suitable for stuffing into the small hatches of your kayak; one for your sleeping bag and one for your personal clothing and gear. All personal gear must be in dry bags and once placed in the kayak there must be room to carry group gear and food.

If the shelters are full, tents will be needed. You would need to bring your own small high-quality tent and pad. While the summer months are generally warm and sunny (72-54 degrees), showers are always possible, and evenings can get chilly. All your clothing should be made of synthetic materials or wool to retain their warmth when wet and to dry more quickly. Cotton items should be avoided. Rain gear is necessary. The trip leader will send you a detailed equipment list when you are accepted onto the trip and answer any questions you have about gear. The trip includes food, cooking equipment, a first-aid kit, and water purification equipment.

References

Conservation

Isle Royale has hosted the longest predator (wolves)/prey (moose) research study -- it is going into its 65th year. We will discuss the study and what it has taught us about global warming. Dr. Peterson's book will explain the study to you, using great photographs that really brings it to life. We welcome your thoughts on the specific issues that concern you the most. 

We will practice Leave No Trace techniques throughout the trip. We will also be sensitive to the wolves, moose, and loons. The island serves as an environmental monitoring station, where scientists can collect data at the Mount Ojibway lookout tower.

Isle Royale is a nearly pristine gem surrounded by the historically cool waters of Lake Superior. As an island, it has been protected from many of the ecological threats we experience along the more accessible shoreline areas, but this is changing. The island and its resident populations of wolves and moose, plants, aquatic organisms, and soils are being adversely affected by the global change threats of warming and exotic species. Data collected over the last 65 years presents a picture of incremental and sudden changes brought on by the effects of man's actions. We will interact with researchers when we visit the summer home of the Wolf Moose Study, view the island from water and trail-based activities, and immerse ourselves in one of the last relatively untouched wilderness areas in the continental United States. This is a learning adventure. Isle Royale is a unique study area that looks at the effects of global climate change.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and will operate under a permit from Isle Royale National Park.