Welcome to the Isle Royale Info site. This site is dedicated to providing information about Isle Royale National Park located in Lake Superior. It is meant to be a central point of reference for anyone wanting to go there, or just know more about Isle Royale.
Some Comments:
"I had a chance to read the book while on the ferry ride home. It is amazing! Far more thorough and informative than anything I've seen from the park service." Calvin C.
"We saw your book on the Voyageur last year and thought it was a fantastic resource.
Thanks for putting it together!" Nancy B.
"I read your book on the Sea Hunter a few weeks ago and decided I needed to have it. We are planning to go back in September. Thanks so much, I wish I had read it before I attempted the Feltdmann loop in 3 days (direction really would have been key)." Katt P.
"I purchased another book on the island a couple of years ago and I thought it provided all of the information I needed. That was until I saw your book and read some of the samples. I purchased it and I was amazed at the amount of detail on everything having to do with the park and planning a trip. It is truly a “Comprehensive Guide“ to the park!" Rick N.
"I received my DVD, thank you so much - what a great collection of information and pictures. I am planning a trip to Isle Royale with my Dad, my Son, Brother-in-law, Uncle, and a Friend in August of 2013. This information will be most valuable." Bob S.
"I just thought I would follow up with you and say thank you for the information provided in your book. It was very helpful to me for knowledge of the island and the trails." Eric C.
"Wow, what a beautiful resource book! It has info I didn't even know I wanted! It definitely shows that Isle Royale is a passion, not just a destination. I am very happy with this book. I can read it on my android with no problem, so it can follow me anywhere for some good reading." Jason P.
I have just returned from Isle Royale and wanted to say thank you! Your guide and the info provided within was an incredible resource as the need to change my itinerary arose. I'd recommended your packages to any first time visitor planning to hike the island. It made a great experience even better! Thank you again! Mark M.
This is a compilation of journals, walking, reading, paddling, notes, photos, memories and video over a period of over 20 years of planning, hiking, canoeing and untold hours of putting it together. It will be a living document until I die, when my work at least, will be complete. I would appreciate it if you would think about that before sharing it with people for free and at least let them know it is available and someone has given up a good portion of their life to share it with you.
I began writing this in the fall of 2001 and it has been an ongoing project since then. Its first complete release was in December, 2010. There was more to add and fine tune, but 9 years of work finally got into the public eye. The second release was March, 2012 and it was re-released with many additional features and all of the major gaps filled. The third release was April, 2013 and included several improvements along with the addition of a program called "Isle Royale - Base Camp" and a utility called "Isle Royale - Trip Planner". These are detailed in program description.
I am quite confident this will stand as the most complete guide to the park for many years. I hope you find it useful.
The book contains a total of twelve sections which are described below. Most of the sections have a sample PDF file that is included in the "Demo" program if you download it. Just click on the Sample button where shown to see that sample. In the samples, the pictures do not link to larger ones like they do in the document if you have the "Ultimate" package. There are also some images shown from the book in a reduced size. If you click on them, the full size image will be shown. The book is available in various packages and price levels. For a description, go to the store page.
Section 1: About This Book - Details on me, legal stuff, thank yous, my trips to the island, how the book is laid out and a park map. This section is 6 pages with 11 pictures, 1 chart and 1 map.
Section 2: Overview - A general description of Isle Royale National Park. This includes park information, island amenities, drinking water, campfires, hiking, shelters, outhouses, wildlife, park visitation, weather, garbage, bugs, back country camping, fishing and more. Most everything you could want to know about the park infrastructure and what to expect when you get there. This section is 24 pages with 27 pictures, 11 charts and 5 maps.
the front of a shelter from the inside.
fire ring at island mine campground.
Section 3: The Long Trails - This section of the book provides maps, miles and detailed descriptions of all of the long trails on the island. These are the "main" trails on the island and typically connect points of entry (docks) either directly or via shorter trails. It lists seven long trails and break them down by section with a description for each of the sections. The descriptions include a general overview, show an elevation graph, list key points, provide a detailed description and list relevant campgrounds. There are many pictures taken along the trails with views. Many of trails also show a view via a Google Earth(TM) map. This section is 52 pages with 47 pictures, 33 Trail Profiles, 31 Charts, 9 overview maps, 45 detailed topographic maps and 24 Google Earth(TM) views.
bridge over grace creeek.
the minong ridge trail highlighted.
Section 4: The Short Trails - This section of the book provides maps, miles and detailed descriptions of all of the short trails on the island. These are the trails that typically connect longer trails to campgrounds or points of entry (docks). It lists twenty-two "short" trails and describes each of them with a general overview, show an elevation graph, list key points, provide a detailed description and list relevant campgrounds. There are many pictures taken along the trails with views. Many of trails also show a view via a Google Earth(TM) map. This section is 28 pages with 25 pictures, 25 charts, 25 Trail Profiles, 23 overview maps, 22 detailed topographic maps and 22 Google Earth(TM) views.
profile and information for the mount franklin trail
Section 5: Campgrounds - This section of the book provides maps, campground layouts, pictures and detailed descriptions of all of the thirty-six campgrounds on the island. These descriptions include descriptions of the individual sites themselves and rate them based on conditions, layout, views and weather. There are pictures of many of the sites along with views from many of the campgrounds. There are "side trips" listed if there are interesting things near the campground and a link to a Google Earth(TM) map if the view is worthwhile. This section is 66 pages with 169 pictures, 36 charts, 37 maps, 33 campground maps and 32 Google Earth(TM) views.
huginnin cove campground map.
lake desor south campground location.
Section 6: Points Of Interest - This section of the book provides maps, pictures, some histories and detailed descriptions of many of the points of interest on the island. These include mine sites, town sites, physical features, lighthouses and many other locations. It is not a complete listing of everything on the island as that would be a book in itself, but it does provide a description of all of the major ones and many minor ones. This section is 36 pages with 101 pictures, 11 diagrams, 19 detail maps and 11 Google Earth(TM) views.
some items at the minong mine ruins.
rock harbor lighthouse.
Section 7: Water Routes - This section of the book provides detailed descriptions of all of the water routes around . It includes detailed maps with marked land features as described in the route, a danger rating based on the route and both nautical and statute miles. This section is 39 pages with 60 pictures and over 60 detailed topographic maps.
cliffs along the western end of chippewa harbor.
map of water route from windigo to beaver island.
Section 8: Portages - This section of the book provides detailed descriptions along with maps and pictures of all sixteen of the marked portages on the island. This includes a general overview, an elevation graph, key points, a detailed description and list relevant campgrounds. There are many pictures taken along the portages with views and many of them also show a view via a Google Earth(TM) map. This section is 24 pages with 64 pictures, 16 charts, 16 maps and 16 Google Earth(TM) views.
post marking the portage from siskiwit lake to malone bay.
section of portage from moskey basin to lake ritchie with lake richie in the background.
Section 9: Wildlife - This section of the book provides a general description of some of the wildlife on the island. It is neither scientific nor complete and it is not meant to be. It is only my impressions and interactions with wildlife. This section is 7 pages with 28 pictures and 1 charts.
bull moose in tobin harbor in the fall.
fox at rock harbor campground.
Section 10: Links and Contacts - This section of the book provides a detailed listing of various contact information for sites and businesses related to the island, the surrounding area and getting there. This includes phone numbers, websites, email, addresses and other information for such things as cities, hotels, transportation, weather, restaurants, outfitters, stores, camping, park information and other things related to going to the island. This section is 10 pages with 5 pictures.
Section 11: Boats and Planes - This section of the book provides details on the boats and planes providing service to the island, along with descriptions, operation dates, routes, times, approximate costs and more. This section is 9 pages with 11 pictures, 9 charts and 1 map.
isle royale queen iv docked in copper harbor.
rear passenger cabin of the voyageur ii.
Section 12: Reference Charts - This section of the book provides several reference charts. They are in a separate section to make it easy to pull them out of the book, or print them out easily, to take them with you to the island. They include a chart of GPS coordinates, a trail milelage chart, a chart of the long trails, a chart of the short trails, a chart of the campgrounds a chart of the portages, a chart of some of the water routes and a basic backpacking checklist. This section is 13 pages with 8 charts.
This site is not affiliated with Isle Royale National park or any official or commercial organization.
All information presented is to the best of my knowledge.
All photographs and text are Copyrighted and may not be used in any form without permission.