ISLE ROYALE
WOLVES AND MOOSE
For the latest on the rises and falls of the wolf and moose populations, check ENVIRO-MENTALITY on this site.
FISH CAUTION
The Park Service reports that only about 150 coaster brook trout (those born and bred on Lake Superior's rocky bottom near underwater springs) are still in the neighborhood. To protect these fish, Greg Blust, a park supervisor, said the Service has invoked a catch-and-release policy. If you happen to catch one, it must be released.
Also, the Park Service now requires that barbless hooks must be used for brook trout on the island's streams and on Hidden Lake.
TO AND FRO
There's a reason Isle Royale is one of the least visited national parks in the continental United States. It's hard to get to. Unlike the Smoky Mountains which are on the way to a lot of places, Isle Royale, located high on the north side of Lake Superior,isn't on the way to anywhere.
But if you love the outdoors and wilderness. It's positively worth the trip.
The 2006 ferry prices have bumped up at bit over last year. But not much.
RANGER III.
The National Park Service's Ranger III ferry makes two round trips a week from Houghton, Michigan to Rock Harbor on Isle Royale from June 2 to Sept. 13. It's typically about a five-hour trip.
Departures from Houghton are at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday, and returning from Isle Royale at 9 a.m. on Wednesday and Saturday.
One-way fares this season are $54 for adults, $24 for ages 12 and under and $24 for a canoe or kayak.
For details, contact Isle Royale National Park.
*** Don't forget you must pay a $4 a day park user fee, no matter which means you use to get to the island.
ISLE ROYALE QUEEN IV.
footer.
The 2006 schedule for the 100-foot long Queen IV varies through out the season for the Queen's three-hour crossings from Copper Harbor at the tip of Michigan's Keewenau Peninsula and Rock Harbor on the island. It also leaves the Copper Harbor at 8 a.m. and departs from the island at 3 p.m.
The schedule varies throughout the season. From May 15 to June 3, the Queen runs on Monday and Friday. From June 4 to 30, every day except Wednesday and Sunday. For the month of July, every day but Wednesday. From August 1 to Sept. 4, every day. And from Sept. 5 to 30, on Monday and Friday.
One-way fares are $52 for adults, $26 for children 11 and younger and $25 for a canoe or kayak from May 15 to July 14 and from August 16 to Sept. 29. In the heart of the summer, from July 15 to August 15, the prices jump a bit to $60 for adults, $30 for children and $25 for a canoe or kayak.
For details, contact Isle Royale Line.
ROYALE AIR SERVICE.
Yes, you can fly there from Houghton. Leaving from Houghton County Memorial Airport, RAS's Cessna 206 will fly six days a week ( Never on Sunday. You seniors can remember Melena Mercouri) from mid-May to mid-September.
The fares for 2006 are $250 per person round trip; $175 one way.
To get to Houghton's airport, start at the canal bridge (the one that connects the towns of Houghton and Hancock), drive five miles north on Highway 41, turn at Airport Boulevard and go one mile.
For details, contact Royale Air Service.
VOYAGEUR II
This 60-foot ferry starts in Grand Portage, Minnesota up on Lake Superior's north shore and makes a two-day clockwise loop around Isle Royale starting on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Starting at Grand Portage at 8 a.m., it goes to Windigo (10:30 a.m.) at the far west end, loops over the top with possible stops at McCargoe Cove and Belle Isle and settles in for the night at Rock Harbor (3:30 p.m.)
The next morning it leaves Rock Harbor (8 a.m.), travels along the south side with possible stops at Chippewa Harbor and Malone Bay, goes on to Windigo (12:30 p.m.) and arrives back at Grand Portage at 3:30 p.m.
One-way fares from Grand Portage to Windigo ware $54 for adults; from Grand Portage to any other stop, $65; going from one island stop to another is from $36 to $50. Ages 12 and younger, $35 to $40.
For further information, contact the Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation Line Inc.
WENONAH
The 65-foot Wenonah makes daily trips back and forth between Grand Portage and Windigo, with about a three-hour layover in Windigo.
It leaves Grand Portage at 9:30 a.m., docks at Windigo at about noon to 12:30 p.m., then heads back to Grand Portage at 3 p.m., arriving between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
One-way fare for adults is $39, round-trip $45. Ages 4 to 11, half price. For details, contact Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation line. See above.
ROCK HARBOR LODGE
If you don't bring a tent, options on where to stay on Isle Royale are pretty limited. And pricey. Think Chicago hotel rates.
The Rock Harbor Lodge has rather basic rooms for between $193 (in nonpeak season from May 26 go july 14 and Aug. 16 to Sept. 9) and $215 per night (peak season from July 15 to Aug. 15), double occupancy. If you want an American plan (with meals), it runs from $302 (nonpeak) to $323 (peak).
Also 20 cottages are nearby with kitchenettes. Their prices range from $187 (nonpeak) to $208 (peak) a night for double occupancy.
For further information, contact Rock Harbor Lodge.
In fact, everything on the island carries a hefty price tag. What's more you must add 33 percent to everything for taxes -- 6 percent Michigan sales tax, 3 percent room assessment and 24 percent Utility Pass Through, which as a charge from the National Park Service for bringing utilities to the island.
However if you see the northern lights, hear a wolf howl or spot a moose lumbering by, it's all worth it.
For the latest on the rises and falls of the wolf and moose populations, check ENVIRO-MENTALITY on this site.
FISH CAUTION
The Park Service reports that only about 150 coaster brook trout (those born and bred on Lake Superior's rocky bottom near underwater springs) are still in the neighborhood. To protect these fish, Greg Blust, a park supervisor, said the Service has invoked a catch-and-release policy. If you happen to catch one, it must be released.
Also, the Park Service now requires that barbless hooks must be used for brook trout on the island's streams and on Hidden Lake.
TO AND FRO
There's a reason Isle Royale is one of the least visited national parks in the continental United States. It's hard to get to. Unlike the Smoky Mountains which are on the way to a lot of places, Isle Royale, located high on the north side of Lake Superior,isn't on the way to anywhere.
But if you love the outdoors and wilderness. It's positively worth the trip.
The 2006 ferry prices have bumped up at bit over last year. But not much.
RANGER III.
The National Park Service's Ranger III ferry makes two round trips a week from Houghton, Michigan to Rock Harbor on Isle Royale from June 2 to Sept. 13. It's typically about a five-hour trip.
Departures from Houghton are at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday, and returning from Isle Royale at 9 a.m. on Wednesday and Saturday.
One-way fares this season are $54 for adults, $24 for ages 12 and under and $24 for a canoe or kayak.
For details, contact Isle Royale National Park.
*** Don't forget you must pay a $4 a day park user fee, no matter which means you use to get to the island.
ISLE ROYALE QUEEN IV.
footer.
The 2006 schedule for the 100-foot long Queen IV varies through out the season for the Queen's three-hour crossings from Copper Harbor at the tip of Michigan's Keewenau Peninsula and Rock Harbor on the island. It also leaves the Copper Harbor at 8 a.m. and departs from the island at 3 p.m.
The schedule varies throughout the season. From May 15 to June 3, the Queen runs on Monday and Friday. From June 4 to 30, every day except Wednesday and Sunday. For the month of July, every day but Wednesday. From August 1 to Sept. 4, every day. And from Sept. 5 to 30, on Monday and Friday.
One-way fares are $52 for adults, $26 for children 11 and younger and $25 for a canoe or kayak from May 15 to July 14 and from August 16 to Sept. 29. In the heart of the summer, from July 15 to August 15, the prices jump a bit to $60 for adults, $30 for children and $25 for a canoe or kayak.
For details, contact Isle Royale Line.
ROYALE AIR SERVICE.
Yes, you can fly there from Houghton. Leaving from Houghton County Memorial Airport, RAS's Cessna 206 will fly six days a week ( Never on Sunday. You seniors can remember Melena Mercouri) from mid-May to mid-September.
The fares for 2006 are $250 per person round trip; $175 one way.
To get to Houghton's airport, start at the canal bridge (the one that connects the towns of Houghton and Hancock), drive five miles north on Highway 41, turn at Airport Boulevard and go one mile.
For details, contact Royale Air Service.
VOYAGEUR II
This 60-foot ferry starts in Grand Portage, Minnesota up on Lake Superior's north shore and makes a two-day clockwise loop around Isle Royale starting on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Starting at Grand Portage at 8 a.m., it goes to Windigo (10:30 a.m.) at the far west end, loops over the top with possible stops at McCargoe Cove and Belle Isle and settles in for the night at Rock Harbor (3:30 p.m.)
The next morning it leaves Rock Harbor (8 a.m.), travels along the south side with possible stops at Chippewa Harbor and Malone Bay, goes on to Windigo (12:30 p.m.) and arrives back at Grand Portage at 3:30 p.m.
One-way fares from Grand Portage to Windigo ware $54 for adults; from Grand Portage to any other stop, $65; going from one island stop to another is from $36 to $50. Ages 12 and younger, $35 to $40.
For further information, contact the Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation Line Inc.
WENONAH
The 65-foot Wenonah makes daily trips back and forth between Grand Portage and Windigo, with about a three-hour layover in Windigo.
It leaves Grand Portage at 9:30 a.m., docks at Windigo at about noon to 12:30 p.m., then heads back to Grand Portage at 3 p.m., arriving between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
One-way fare for adults is $39, round-trip $45. Ages 4 to 11, half price. For details, contact Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation line. See above.
ROCK HARBOR LODGE
If you don't bring a tent, options on where to stay on Isle Royale are pretty limited. And pricey. Think Chicago hotel rates.
The Rock Harbor Lodge has rather basic rooms for between $193 (in nonpeak season from May 26 go july 14 and Aug. 16 to Sept. 9) and $215 per night (peak season from July 15 to Aug. 15), double occupancy. If you want an American plan (with meals), it runs from $302 (nonpeak) to $323 (peak).
Also 20 cottages are nearby with kitchenettes. Their prices range from $187 (nonpeak) to $208 (peak) a night for double occupancy.
For further information, contact Rock Harbor Lodge.
In fact, everything on the island carries a hefty price tag. What's more you must add 33 percent to everything for taxes -- 6 percent Michigan sales tax, 3 percent room assessment and 24 percent Utility Pass Through, which as a charge from the National Park Service for bringing utilities to the island.
However if you see the northern lights, hear a wolf howl or spot a moose lumbering by, it's all worth it.
posted by gerry_volgenau at 4/28/2005 09:46:00 AM
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