Isle Royale Sea Kayaking Adventure

Menagerie Lighthouse, Isle Royal

In the middle of the world’s largest lake, Isle Royale is the most remote and spectacular sea kayaking destination in the Midwest. Lake Superior can be calm or challenging but always an adventure. Join Stone Harbor as we explore by sea kayak the wild beauty of the island’s southern shore. We’ll visit protected coves, nearby smaller islands, abandoned fishing villages and restored lighthouses. We will also have plenty of time to relax and explore some of the many hiking trails found within one of the least-visited national parks in the U.S. This trip will be the perfect conclusion to your summer and one you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Itinerary

TRIP DATES: August 16 – 21, 2011

August 16 – We’ll meet in Grand Marais, MN at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply in the evening to get acquainted and pack up for our early morning departure. Trip participants are responsible for their own accommodations for this night before we depart. The next morning we will meet early for the drive up to Grand Portage where we will catch the morning ferry over to Isle Royale.

August 17 - The trip across to and around the north shore of Isle Royale is spectacular in and of itself. Upon arrival in Rock Harbor we will unload our kayaks and set up our camp for the evening. We should have some time before dinner to review the basics of sea kayaking and and practice our rescue skills.

August 18 – After a brief trip to the Visitors Center we’ll pack up our boats and explore Rock and Tobin harbors. The shelter provided by the surrounding islands will also be a relatively calm introduction to the big lake. Our destination that night is the nearby Three Mile campsite.

August 19 – Our exploration of Isle Royale will continue with a paddle around Maskey Basin, a visit to Rock Harbor Lighthouse and the historic Edisen Fishery. Daisy Farm is our destination for the night. Those with the energy that evening can hike up to the Mount Ojiway lookout on the Greenstone Ridge.

August 20 – If the weather allows, this will be the most adventurous day of the trip. Our plan will be to follow the south shore around Saginaw Point and into Chippewa Harbor where we’ll make our last camp. It will be a full day of paddling but by then we’ll ready for the challenge. From our camp it’s a short hike to the shores of Siskiwit Lake, the largest on the island.

August 21 – We will pack up our gear and prepare to leave this beautiful island, returning to Grand Portage by ferry. We’ll be picked up there and brought back to Grand Marais arriving around 5 pm which will be the end of the tour. We’ll gladly assist you in finding a place to stay and with your plans for dinner. Many options are available.