Isle Royale packrafting loop

Isle Royale National Park

A seaplane dropped us off in Windigo where I started a seven day packrafting trip across Isle Royale National Park in July 2017

The trail to Feldtmann Lake from Windigo

Setup for the week, I slept on the packraft with a tarp. Not bringing a bug net was an oversight. I started using logs and stones to seal the cracks after not getting any sleep the first night from the mosquitoes

Fox at Rainbow Cove on Lake Superior at Isle Royale National Park

Rainbow Cove beach

Lake Feldtmann sunset, Isle Royale Park Michigan

Feldtmann Lake Sunset

Packrafting hike in Isle Royale National Park at Rainbow Cove

Calm water on Lake Superior at Rainbow Cove. I started a 20 mile paddle here to Siskiwit Bay

Calm water on Lake Superior in Isle Royale

It was hard work from Rainbow Cove to Long Point, then I got the westerly wind that was predicted. I was lucky to have the perfect conditions here, I would not have attempted this open water section on a bad day

Shelter at Siskiwit Bay

There was hard rain for the next few days

Overgrown boardwalk on Island mine trail

Island Mine trail along the Siskiwit Bay

Steam engine at a mine in Isle Royale National Park

Steam engine used for mining back when copper was valuable

I camped at South Lake Desor and the cold rain continued as I crossed the lake to the northern campground in the morning. The campground is not marked from the water and was somewhat difficult to find since only someone with a packraft would ever take this route.

Otter Lake from the Minong ridge trail in Isle Royale

After camping at Todd Harbor in the rain, the weather was better the following day as I went along the Minong Ridge trail past Otter Lake (pictured above)

McCargoe Cove in Isle Royale National Park

I took a break at McCargoe Cove to dry things out on the dock. My original plan was to paddle here towards Birch Island and across the Five Finger region to Duncan Bay, but I would not have a way to get warm if another storm were to come so I instead hiked down to Daisy Farm and explored Rock Harbor, Tobin Harbor, and Duncan Bay.

Hiking along the Three mile trail in Isle Royale Michigan

Hiking on the Three Mile Trail along Rock Harbor

Scoville Point

Exploring Tobin Harbor

Lookout Louise in Isle Royale National Park

Lookout Louise with a view over Duncan Bay

Flight back home above the islands lining Rock Harbor

Attached are maps with my actual route (red) and ideal route (blue) if the weather and winds were perfect every day. Overall about 60 miles of hiking and 25 miles of paddling were covered over seven days. For a packraft, wind to your back is really required if going in open water for long distances. The best way to see this park is by water, even the elevated Greenstone Ridge trail is mostly a forest walk and has no views. You would be disappointed to visit this park and not have some type of watercraft to explore.

Resources: NatGeo Map