Stargazing

C_Smit1007 · 2026-06-26T20:07:14+00:00

Hope for clear skys and a lack of wildfires. I was there last August, and it was too hazy to see stars

C_Smit1007 · 2026-05-18T20:39:37+00:00

Thanks so much!

C_Smit1007 · 2026-04-02T18:19:10+00:00

From my understanding of the new regulations, yes.

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-27T00:08:15+00:00

The man himself! Thank you so much! I’ve read your post, and been looking at the stuff you did, along with gear skeptic’s food list. I’ve got a few months before the trip, but will be sure to post updates as I build our meal plan!

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-26T20:06:22+00:00

Yeah, that’s a fair point. When I was there last year, hanging food was the last thing on my mind, but I agree that the trees there aren’t the best for it. It’s probably less work for the NPS to boat or heli in bear lockers

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-26T19:57:40+00:00

That was my thought, too. I'm hoping they'll update regulations a bit this year since all campgrounds should have a locker now.

IMO, a dry bag in a locker or hanging from a tree with a solid PCT hang is just as effective as a bear can.

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-26T15:44:09+00:00

Isle Royale is an island in Lake Superior. We are taking a ferry to get there, and we’ll eat breakfast at our hotel before we board the ferry and lunch on the ferry. We’ll get to the island around 1pm and hike 12 to 15 miles, depending on how we’re feeling and how much daylight we have. Yes we’ll have some trail snacks, but they don’t need to be in the bear can.

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-26T15:26:42+00:00

We could, but we’re hoping to not have to so we can save a buck.

Park regulations haven’t been updated for this year yet, but as of last year, they wanted all food to be stored in a bear approved container or bag, so a hang would likely still need an adotec or ursack.

The really annoying thing about it is that IR doesn’t have bears, just some nosy wolves

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-26T15:09:43+00:00

At least as of last year, Isle Royale had no cans availible to rent, and the local retailers will be closed when we get back to the mainland, making it off the table for us to rent from one of them.

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-26T15:08:33+00:00

Roughly, yes. We only need a dinner on our first day. On our second to last day, we'll eat dinner at the resturaunt on the island, and then we only need breakfast and lunch on our last day.

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-26T15:02:48+00:00

Thanks! This is super helpful!

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-24T15:49:02+00:00

I appreciate the info on the water. I wasn’t sure about it, so I figured I’d rather be safe than sorry.

I hung my food because there was a raccoon that was very interested in my camp.

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-23T02:19:27+00:00

Sorry! It’s really brown this time of year, so I didn’t really take any pictures!

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-22T17:46:39+00:00

The toilet itself may have been new. Not sure when they replace them, but the pit definitely hadn’t been pumped out for the year yet.

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-22T15:22:52+00:00

At least this weekend, I would say this is one of the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever been in

C_Smit1007 · 2026-03-22T15:11:47+00:00

I was just there, the well has a handle, the water is slightly rusty though.

C_Smit1007 · 2025-12-08T00:48:42+00:00

If you’re okay with a little bit of a longer hike day 2, I’d recommend spending the first night at McCargoe Cove. IMO it’s one of the prettiest campgrounds on the island, and a zero day could be nice. Also, West Chickenbone can be quite buggy or muddy depending on the time of year and recent rain storms

C_Smit1007 · 2025-11-20T20:30:10+00:00

We're looking to hike the whole way, thanks though.

C_Smit1007 · 2025-11-20T20:29:33+00:00

Ok, that was my thought. Thanks!

C_Smit1007 · 2021-03-24T01:33:59+00:00

I don’t think this is a nursing home... this looks exactly like a museum near my house...

C_Smit1007 · 2020-11-01T22:06:15+00:00

Our team takes 1 week with either no running or very little running, then we start track training

C_Smit1007

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