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.
Below is the revision history of the Book and Program.
For those of you who have purchased the book in various forms, this will give you an idea of the latest revisions and what major changes have taken place or been added. As of the third release and the creation of the "Base Camp" program, updates are automatically done through the program if you purchased those packages. All you have to do is start the "Base Camp" program and select "Multi-Tools" then select "Check the Weather (Check for Chapter Updates)". The program will then go online and check for updates and automatically download any updates.
Note: As of April, 2018 all of the sections have been converted to a Desktop Publishing Document. It was originally written in Word then converted to a PDF document. It had grown too big and complex for Word. This cleans up the final PDF and make updates easier to do.
Note: Linked pictures and maps will now open in your default web browser. This is because the newer version of Adobe does not allow for relative paths to open files and they must be opened as a URL.
washington harbor sunset.
Section One: About This Book - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 10/12/2017
Revision: 03/04/2012
- Minor changes to various text, updated trips and updated to current release.
Revision: 03/24/2013
- Minor changes to various text and pictures, updated trips and updated to current release.
Revision: 01/20/2014
- Updated my trips and updated to current release.
Revision: 02/09/2015
- Updated my trips and updated to current release.
Revision: 03/08/2015
- Added a link to this page to see the latest book revisions.
- Added a description of the various book packages available.
Revision: 03/15/2015
- Fixed a problem with the picture links that happened due to an "upgrade" in Adobe.
Revision: 10/12/2017
- Updated my trips, added a few pictures and changed the cover design.
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document.
Section Two: Overview - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 02/09/2018
Revision: 03/04/2012
- Added chart of fish available in lakes from the National Park Service.
- Added additional information on park visitation.
Revision: 04/12/2013
- Added new charts for rates on lodging and boat rental.
- Added interior pictures of cottages in Rock Harbor.
- Added information, details and pictures for the new cabins in Windigo.
- Added information and details on mail service and getting a resupply to the island.
- Added a revised color backcountry zones map.
Revision: 02/09/2015
- Revised menu from Rock Harbor Lodge to relect the 2014 menu.
- Added "Planning A Trip" similar to what the website shows.
Revision: 03/15/2015
- Revised the section on permits to reflect the changes for 2015.
- Added a more detailed description of Group Permits and added a link to a document on Group camping.
- Added details on other types of permits, costs and where to get them.
Revision: 03/17/2015
- Fixed a problem with the picture links that happened due to an "upgrade" in Adobe.
Revision: 01/24/2017
- Updated the fee information to reflect the changes in the Daily User Fee's and Season Passes.
Revision: 02/09/2018
- Updated pricing and contact information based on the latest published information.
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document.
Section Three: The Long Trails - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 11/17/2017
Revision: 03/03/2012
- Added elevation profiles, ascent and descent elevation totals, Minimum and Maximum grade percentage totals/average and links to tracks on Google Earth(TM).
- Revised most trail descriptions to include the latest information gathered on trips and filled in all missing descriptions from information I had.
- Other minor changes such as separating the Greenstone into more sections.
Revision: 02/12/2013
- Minor changes to descriptions and updates based on the latest hikes.
Revision: 03/01/2015
- Minor changes to descriptions and update of Minong Ridge section because of fire.
- Replaced all of the trail overview maps to cleaner ones with larger maps when they are selected.
- Replaced all of the trail detail maps with Terrain Navigator(TM) topographic maps and, when selected, it shows a formatted map at 1:24000 scale.
Revision: 03/16/2015
- Fixed a problem with the picture links that happened due to an "upgrade" in Adobe.
Revision: 11/17/2017
- Updated trail descriptions based on recent trips.
- Added some pictures and changed all of the elevation profiles to profiles generated at Wikiloc.com. These profiles are much cleaner than the old ones.
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document.
Section Four: The Short Trails - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 11/06/2017
Revision: 03/04/2012
- Added elevation profiles, Ascent and Descent elevation totals, Minimum and Maximum grade percentage totals/average and links to tracks on Google Earth(TM).
- Revised most trail descriptions to include the latest information gathered on trips and filled in all missing descriptions from information I had.
- Other minor changes such as listing Hidden Lake/Lookout Louise as a separate trail.
Revision: 04/09/2013
- Minor changes to descriptions and updates based on the latest hikes.
Revision: 03/14/2015
- Minor changes to descriptions.
- Replaced all of the trail overview maps to cleaner ones with larger maps when they are selected.
- Replaced all of the trail detail maps with Terrain Navigator(TM) topographic maps and, when selected, it shows a formatted map at 1:12000 scale.
Revision: 03/17/2015
- Fixed a problem with the picture links that happened due to an "upgrade" in Adobe.
Revision: 11/06/2017
- Updated trail descriptions based on recent trips.
- Added some pictures and changed all of the elevation profiles to profiles generated at Wikiloc.com. These profiles are much cleaner than the old ones.
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document.
Section Five: Campgrounds - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 10/04/2017
Revision: 04/04/2012
- Filled in all missing campground details and updated based on recent trips.
- Added Google Earth(TM) links to campgrounds if the image had details that were of significance.
Revision: 02/03/2013
- All campground detail maps have been changed to Terrain Navigator(TM) maps which show not only location, but contour lines.
- Added many pictures and details on all of the campgrounds.
Revision: 10/04/2017
- Updated campground descriptions based on recent trips and completed descriptions and layouts for the final three campgrounds I had not been to.
- Added approximately 80 more pictures and changed campground maps from pictures of the signs to cleaner and clearer diagrams.
- Added a listing of the consecutive nights allowed during the peak season and a listing of whether the site is "hammock friendly".
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document.
Section Six: Points of Interest - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 02/24/2018
Revision: 03/06/2012
- Added a few more items and some details on other items plus Google Earth(TM) links if the image had details that were of significance.
Revision: 02/18/2013
- Greatly expanded items, details and many pictures along with the addition of Terrain Navigator(TM) maps.
Revision: 02/24/2018
- Added several more places, pictures and maps.
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document.
Section Seven: Water Routes - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 04/05/2018
Revision: 03/06/2012
- Added more water routes.
Revision: 03/02/2013
- This section has been totally re-written and greatly expanded with full descriptions, pictures, maps and charts.
Revision: 04/28/2014
- Added 18 more water routes, which finishes most every water route on and around the island.
Revision: 04/05/2018
- Completed all water routes to circumnavigate the island and added much more detail based on recent trips.
- Added more than 30 pictures and some more detail maps.
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document.
Section Eight: Portages - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 12/28/2017
Revision: 03/09/2012
- Added elevation profiles, Ascent and Descent elevation totals, Minimum and Maximum grade percentage totals/average and links to tracks on Google Earth(TM).
- Added and revised all portage descriptions to include the latest information gathered on trips and filled in all missing descriptions from information I had.
Revision: 02/17/2013
- All portage detail maps have been changed to Terrain Navigator(TM) maps which show not only location, but contour lines.
- Added several pictures along with revising and updating most descriptions.
Revision: 12/28/2017
- Updated portage descriptions based on recent trips and added much more detail based on my notes and movies.
- Added 45 pictures and changed all of the elevation profiles to profiles generated at Wikiloc.com. These profiles are much cleaner than the old ones.
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document.
Section Nine: Wildlife - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 03/21/2018
Revision: 03/06/2012
- Added a couple of pictures.
Revision: 04/09/2013
- Added several pictures along with some details on Loons.
Revision: 03/21/2018
- Updated with current information on the wolves status and added some other details.
- Added several pictures.
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document. This provides a cleaner overall document and interface.
Section Ten: Links and Contacts - Original Release: 01/14/2011 / Current Revision: 02/12/2018
Revision: 03/08/2012
- Verified all existing links and added some new links and/or contact information.
Revision: 02/04/2013
- Verified all existing links and added some new links and/or contact information.
Revision: 02/08/2015
- Verified all existing links and added some new links and/or contact information and a couple of pictures.
Revision: 03/08/2015
- Added new link for paying user fees at pay.gov and added link for surface water temperatures around the island.
Revision: 03/16/2015
- Fixed a problem with the picture links that happened due to an "upgrade" in Adobe.
Revision: 02/12/2018
- Verified all links and/or contact information.
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document.
Section Eleven: Boats and Planes - Original Release: 01/14/2011 / Current Revision: 02/11/2018
Revision: 03/09/2012
- Updated prices, schedules and times based on release for the 2012 season.
- Added Sea Hunter III and the retirement of the Winonah.
Revision: 02/09/2013
- Added some new easier to read charts with schedules and rates along with the latest information for the 2013 season along with some pictures.
Revision: 02/02/2014
- Updated with the latest information on boat schedules and rates for the 2014 season.
Revision: 02/09/2015
- Updated with the latest information on boat schedules and rates for the 2015 season.
Revision: 03/08/2015
- Added note about paying user fees directly to the National Park Service and not to the transportation services anymore.
Revision: 02/11/2018
- Updated all pricing and schedules based on the latest published information.
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document. This provides a cleaner overall document and interface.
Section Twelve: Reference Charts - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 03/24/2018
Revision: 03/01/2012
- Added many GPS points and verified the existing ones and exported three types of files for importing into GPS units.
- Updated and added information to charts of the Long Trails, Short Trails and Campgrounds.
- Added a chart of the Portages.
Revision: 04/12/2013
- Added a new chart with some of the water routes.
Revision: 05/21/2013
- Fixed "Long Trails" chart where some values were omitted.
Revision: 06/28/2013
- Edited "Trail Miles" chart where one value was incorrect.
Revision: 03/19/2015
- Added a "Basic Backpacking List".
- Added some more values to the "Water Routes" chart.
- Edited "Campgrounds" chart where one value was incorrect.
- Inserted new cleaner and larger pictures of all of the charts.
Revision: 03/24/2018:
- Migrated the document from a word processing document to a desktop publisher document.
Complete Document - Original Release: 01/15/2011 / Current Revision: 04/05/2018
Revision: 06/28/2013
- Incorporated changes made to the Reference Charts section.
Revision: 02/16/2015
- Added Updates for Sections One, Two, Ten and Eleven; including transportation rates and dates for the 2015 season.
Revision: 03/20/2015
- Completely re-assembled the entire document with all of the current chapters revisions.
Revision: 11/07/2017
- Added revised sections One, Two, Four and Five.
Revision 11/19/2017
- Added revised section Three
Revision: 02/24/2018
- Compiled all of the latest updates into the complete document.
Revision: 04/05/2018
- Complied all chapters into the complete document. All chapters have now been converted over to a Desktop Publishing Program and this full PDF file is much cleaner than all previous versions.
Reported Problems:
April 2, 2018 - There is a report of a problem when starting the program, it is unable to find a variable for the screen size in a computer running Windows10. Because of this, the displayed screen goes a bit below the bottom of the actual screen. This did not stop the use of the program and I have only had one report of this. I will investgate and fix it as soon as possible.
Revision History:
Base Camp - Original Release: 04/01/13 Version: 1.0.0.0 / Current Revision: 06/28/2013 Version 1.0.0.1
Revision: 06/28/2013 Version: 1.0.0.1
- Added check for update to "Mile Chart" program
Trip Planner - Original Release: 04/01/13 Version: 1.0.0.0
Miles Chart - Original Release: 04/01/13 Version: 1.0.0.0
Installation - Original Release: 04/01/13 Version: 1.0.0.0
Uninstall - Original Release: 04/01/13 Version: 1.0.0.0
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.