Isle Royale Trip 2026

Track Our Progress

I will carry a Garmin InReach and check in periodically with our GPS coordinates from the trail.

Weather

Dates

Tentatively departing Wednesday, August 12, 2026, returning Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Thursday, August 13 to Tuesday, August 18 on Isle Royale.

Transportation

To/From Houghton/Hubbell

We will travel from the Detroit area to the Upper Peninsula on Wednesday, August 12. We will go to at least Munising on Wednesday and possibly as far as Houghton/Hubbell. This will take 7-9 hours of driving.

To/From Isle Royale

We will be taking a seaplane to and from Isle Royale. Ferry information remains below for posterity.

Seaplane

The seaplane departs from Hubbell, MI (Torch Lake). We must arrive 45 minutes prior to departure. The flight takes approximately 45 minutes to Isle Royale. The price is $404 round trip. 45 lbs. gear weight limit per person. No flammables (e.g. stove fuel) or firearms. Stove fuel can be purchased from the store on the island.

https://www.isleroyaleseaplanes.com/

Entrance Fees & Permits

Standard entrance fee is $7 per person per day. $60 national parks season pass covers 1 person + 3 guests for a calendar year. I will purchase a season pass, which will cover the rest of the group. We must also fill out a trip permit at the Rock Harbor or Ozaagaateng/Windigo visitor center.

Route

Tentative route: Greenstone Ridge and Minong Ridge trails: Rock Harbor -> Lane Cove -> Moskey Basin -> McCargoe Cove -> North Lake Desor -> Hugginin Cove -> Ozaagaateng/Windigo

Feldtmann Loop map

This will be a 6-day, 5-night trip. Which direction we go will depend on seaplane availability.

Day	Section	Miles	Shelters
1	Rock Harbor to Lane Cove	6.8	0
2	Lane Cove to Moskey Basin	10.3	6
3	Moskey Basin to McCargoe Cove	8.3	6
4	McCargoe Cove to North Lake Desor	16.9	0
5	North Lake Desor to Hugginin Cove	13.7	0
6	Hugginin Cove to Ozaagaateng/Windigo	4.2	10
	TOTAL	60.2

Alternate Routes

Main Route

This route allows the option of skipping the first/last campsite in either direction in the event of poor weather or other delays during the trip.

The most difficult sections of the trail are between McCargoe Cove and Hugginin Cove. We have the option to take the Greenstone Ridge instead of the Minong Ridge if we do not feel up to it. If we do take the Minong Ridge, there are other campsites between McCargoe Cove and North Lake Desor if we are not able to cover the entire distance.

Shorter Trip

Part of the group may do a shorter trip option for just the first two nights. From Moskey Basin, they would take a water taxi back to Rock Harbor for a return trip to the mainland. The cost for the water taxi is approximately $250, but I have not confirmed this.

Gear

The following describes recommended gear for the trip. Tailor to your personal needs/comfort as desired.

Here is my gear list. Qty > 0 means I always bring it, qty = 0 means it depends on the trip.

Big Four

Pack
Tent/Shelter
Sleeping Bag/Quilt
Sleeping Pad

Water/Food Storage/Cookware

Water bottle(s) (recommend at least 2L carrying capacity)
Water filter or chemical treatment
Water bottles
Backpacking stove
Stove fuel (purchased on the island)
Cookpot
Spoon

Clothing

Trail runners/hiking boots
Socks (wool or synthetic, not cotton)
Underwear
Base layers (wool or synthetic, not cotton)
Hiking shorts/pants
Rain jacket or poncho
Mid-layer (fleece)
Down jacket (may be unnecessary depending on temps)
Hat
Sunglasses
Bandanna/buff
Sleeping clothes (if desired)

Misc

Toothbrush/toothpaste
Toilet paper/wet wipes/trowel
Ziploc bags
Bug spray/head net
Sunscreen
Small first aid kit
Headlamp/flashlight
Trekking poles (if desired)

Food

Aim for 2500-3500 calories/day. Nuts, seeds, trail mixes, dark chocolate, and oils are good calorie-dense options (i.e. offer the most calories for the least amount of weight).

Avoid foods that are heavily hydrated or come in cans. For example, rather than a can of tuna bring the kind that comes in pouches. Instead of a can of beef stew you would want to bring dried ingredients in a freezer bag and then add water in camp or on the trail.

Pre-packaged backpacking meals are also an option.

Breakfast

Coconut Chia Oatmeal (~5 oz, 600-750 calories)

1/4-1/2 cup rolled oats (e.g. Quaker Oats)
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp protein powder
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup coconut flakes
2 tbsp raisins (or other dried fruit)
2-4 tbsp sliced almonds or walnuts
few dashes of salt
cinnamon to taste
1-2 tbsp coconut oil (if desired for extra calories)

Store ingredients in a plastic bag. Boil 10-12 oz of water. Once boiling, remove from heat and stir in ingredients. Let sit for a few minutes to absorb water and cool slightly.

This is my go-to. Can also substitute/add chocolate chips to mix up the flavor a bit. Other ideas include bagels + cream cheese or an egg burrito using instant eggs in a tortilla.

Snacks

Trail mix
Dark chocolate
Protein bars
Beef jerky
Pringles
Chocolate-covered raisins
Chocolate-covered pecans
Oreo cookies
Yogurt-covered pretzels

Lunch

Lunch on the trail will probably look more like a bigger snack unless you want to pack a sub/sandwich/tortilla/etc.

Cookie Dough (~4 oz, 500 calories)

2 oz cashews
0.6 oz rolled oats
0.6 oz chocolate chips
0.7 oz maple syrup
0.1 oz vanilla extract
Salt/cinnamon to taste

Put cashews, rolled oats, salt, and cinnamon in a food processor. Chop until fine but not so long that you make cashew butter. Blend in vanilla extract and maple syrup. If too dry, add more syrup. Mix in chocolate chips by hand. Form into 4-5 bars and store in plastic bag.

Dinner

Beans and Rice (~6 oz, 650-800 calories)

2 oz instant beans
1.5 oz instant rice
1 oz hard cheese (cheddar, etc)
1 oz corn chips (e.g. Fritos)
0.2 oz taco seasoning
Salt/pepper/red pepper flakes to taste
0.5 oz olive oil (if desired for extra calories)

Boil 10-12 oz of water on stove. Add beans, rice, and seasoning. Simmer for 60 seconds. Dice cheese and stir in. Add fritos and any additional ingredients or spices.

Matt Anderson