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Tom Reese - 20 Jun 2004 15:50 GMT

I'm thinking about putting a 2005 photography trip together for Isle Royale
National Park. Does anyone have any advice to offer regarding best time of
year, places to stay (lodge or cabin - I'm planning for a week and don't
want to go that long without a shower so I've eliminated a tent) etc?

I'm thinking about April to early May to avoid the black flies and catch the
wildflowers or Mid-September to catch the moose in antlers. Are wolves too
much to hope for?

I've read through the Google newsgroup archives and I realize that my
previous backpacking experience will come into play.

thanks for any and all replies

Tom Reese

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Sly D. Skeez - 21 Jun 2004 18:43 GMT

> I'm thinking about putting a 2005 photography trip together for Isle Royale
> National Park. Does anyone have any advice to offer regarding best time of
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> wildflowers or Mid-September to catch the moose in antlers. Are wolves too
> much to hope for?

Tom,

If Isle Royale is like northern MN, then I believe that mosquitos
become a problem in June (about now) and black flies become a problem
in July. OTOH, April and early May...well...it can be pretty damn
cool. (Bring winter gear.) My guess would be end of May would still be
safe to avoid the bugs but not _too_ cold. Many rave about fall (end
of Sept or October) as the best time in for backpacking in northern
MN.

Jay Wenner

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JMac - 23 Jun 2004 05:06 GMT

> I'm thinking about putting a 2005 photography trip together for Isle
> Royale
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Tom Reese

Tom,

I went to IRNP (least vested NP) twice in summer 2002, last week of July,
then back with the family 2nd week of August. It was unseasonable hot & dry
both weeks. We didn't really have a bug problem but we stayed close to the
waters edge and didn't back pack to far into the interior. Not the best time
to go for photography but it was a great trip! I'd go again anytime!

The best thing we did was rent a 14' fishing boat. This allowed us to
explore the entire length of Rock Harbor and some of the outer islands. Only
way to see Rock Harbor light house up close. It was also real handy to carry
all my photo gear & tripod. I basically had 2 back packs, 1 for camping 1
for photography (big Lowe Pro, worked great). The park system has pre built
shelters that were a god send (at first I thought it was lame idea). I
didn't need my tent once. We did rent a cabin for 1 week to use as a "base
camp" but it was a rip off way over priced. You can buy a shower in rock
harbor. I got the cabin incase the weather turned and I'd have a safe place
for the family.

We did see moose just 10 feet off the trail and also swimming across the
harbor. They say you're more likely to moose at the "populated" end of the
island as the wolves don't like the people.

Raspberry island was cool as it has a form of carnivorous plants that are
found no place else. The night sky was magnificent and I got some nice star
trail pics but the northern lights weren't out when I was there.

We took the small boat out of Cooper Harbor the first time and the big boat
Ranger 3 out of Houghton Hancock the 2nd time. I liked the small boat
better. But Superior can be real rough! The boat out of Cooper Harbor runs
on a different schedule and it just seemed like a more intimate experience.

I was shooting slides back then, now I'm digital. I did get a few slides
scanned.
You can see a few snap shots (heavy stress on snap shots) at:
http://home.comcast.net/~jwmccue/IR/

These are straight jpg w/o any post scanning processing.

If I could do it again (which I plan to) I'd go in the fall.

Hope you have a great trip!!

Take the NO SPAM out of my addy if you want to hear more.

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