Apostle Islands/Isle Royale

Wife & I are going to take a vacation a relatively short distance this year. Partly we have too much going on this summer to take a big long trip, and partly we're ticked off about ridiculous gasoline prices. We were going to go to Chicago from 7/15-->7/22 until my wife got to digging into why the hotel rooms had suddenly shot up to ~$300/night that week. It turns out we could not have picked a WORSE week to take kids to Chicago if we TRIED, LOL! So, Chicago is definitely out this time.

We're now thinking of returning to an old favorite, the Arrowhead of MN. It's gorgeous, cool, and there's plenty to do. One thing I want to do is rent a pair of kayaks (or maybe just a canoe) and poke around either one of the Apostle Islands or Isle Royale (Canada.) Since we'll have two kids along, I really don't want to paddle between different islands. The big lake is prone to sudden thunderstorms etc. So, anyone have some advice about a favorite island up there that an adventerous family could poke around in a small boat for a day? How bad are the bugs up there likely to be? I'm hoping we miss the biting fly season by then.


Kent in SD

Isle Royale is part of Michigan, and you'd want to be a pretty skilled paddler to paddle out from the North Shore of Minnesota - it's about 20 miles off shore. A ferry boat is available to take you out to Isle Royale from Grand Portage, MN. The Apostle Islands are best accessed from Bayfield, Wisconsin. There are many places to kayak along Minnesota's North Shore. Check out the Lake Superior Water Trail: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/kayaking/lswt/index.html Yes, you may run into bugs - mosquitoes, blackflies - unless you go later in August.

Looked at a map instead of going from memory and came to the conclusion Apostle Islands would mean more time in the van and less time on the trail. Isle Royale can be accessed via ferry from MN. What other nice spots are there along the lake on the MN side are there to rent a canoe/kayak and poke around some interesting shore line etc.? Since we have kids with us, long paddles over open stretches aren't appealing. We still have our net jackets if we run into a place with heavy concentration of biting bugs, but hopefully can just stay away from them on the water.


Kent in SD

They may be equally far away from South Dakota, but Isle Royale is off the north shore whereas the apostle islands are off the south shore. I spent many summers on the north shore. It is safe to say that you will be blessed with biting insects anytime from mid-June to frost. It is worth it, though. My summers were mostly pre-DEET. We're spoiled now. I plan to be up there late July or early August. Fishing is lousy, except on The Lake, which I have rarely done. There are more lakes than you can shake a stick at. Every one I've ever been on has been fun. You're making me miss it.

Pete D.

It would be difficult to kayak with a family unless you rented two double kayaks and proof of kayaking instruction is often required. A canoe would be your best bet, but unless you're an experienced paddler, pick a calm day and be careful in a canoe on Lake Superior. It's all interesting shore line even in Duluth. Drive up the North Shore Drive to Grand Marais and rent a boat from one of several outfitters along the way. There are several State Parks along Highway 61, Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, and others. You could also go up to Ely, next to the Boundary Waters, and paddle one of the many inland lakes there

Definitely want to do both Gooseberry Falls--a family favorite. It's just begging to be photo'd with my new Shen Hao too! I have a significant amount of experience in a kayak on lakes, but no "certification." Last summer we rented two twin seat touring kayaks and spent a day poking around the Big Island (Hawaii.) I consider a kayak far safer and easier to propel than a canoe. I'm looking for something more scenic than challenging though. There are just so many places to go in the Arrowhead! It's hard to go wrong I suppose. Meantime I'm heading out to the little river near my house and paddling upstream in the evenings to get into shape.


Kent in SD

If I were going to Isle Royale, I'd take the boat from Copper harbor at the tip of the Keeweenaw Peninsula to Rock Harbor Lodge on the island. There are rooms there but I doubt that any are available at this late date. Check with the National Park Service for the availability of shelters on the island. By leaving from C.H. you get to see some of the best scenics of the whole UP on the trip going up.

Both places are awesome. I did IR last Fall and this Spring. The two previous years I have done the Apostles. If you want to explore you really need to be a backpacker. The lodge on IR is very expensive. Otherwise there are campsites alll over the island. Most have shelters but they are first come-first served (no reservations). Good luck finding a shelter in the Summer. My only visits to IR have been Fall and very early Spring (first boat to the island this year and water temps of 38F!!) and the sites I visited were almost vacant. I've taken the ferry from both Copper Harbor and Grand Portage. They are both nice though the CH ferry is bigger.

The Apostles are a great place to visit and you need a boat to really see the sights. In a kayak Superior can be a dangerous place. I've battled thru 4-7 foot waves and it was kind of crazy.

Here are pictures:

http://www.kgcphoto.com/isle_royale_national_park.htm
http://www.kgcphoto.com/apostle_islands_landscapes.htm
http://www.kgcphoto.com/apostle_islands_sea_caves.htm

Wife has been looking over Apostles on the internet and is thinking that's where she wants to head. I comfortable in waves up to 2 ft. with my kids, but not over that. I've been caught in major December storms on one of the big South Dakota lakes at the tail end of duck season in my little 10 ft. duck boat (basically an open kayak) and it scared the hell out of me! When the wind starts blowing over 40 mph steady you are basically helpless. That's why I'm thinking of just poking around the lee side of islands and not trying to run between them. Everything will depend on wind direction the days we are there, I'm thinking. The "sea" caves would interest the kids, and might be fun. My 16 yr. old got sucked into one on Hawaii last summer and I got beat up trying to pull him out. Waves would come in and slam us around. We were both in sea kayaks. I think he learned a lesson the way most teenagers seem to have to. I have enough experience to realize when things are getting dicey. Wife also wants to see some of the lighthouses. Lake Superior is probably the best place to hang out during the hottest part of the summer. Where ever we end up, I'm sure my Shen Hao will get a work out. Maybe my arms too!


Kent in SD

Hi Kent,
Thought maybe I should say something here especially if you decide to visit the Apostle Islands, seeing as I live only 30 miles from them. As for weather, this is usually the very best period up here......warm to hot and not a lot of wind. Also, winds are more often southerly or westerly this time of year and the islands offer a certain amount of protection from the wind. The sea caves are very nice and accesible best from a small northern community called Cornucopia......16mi from my home. If you decide to come this way I'd be happy to help in any way I can. Sorry I didn't respond earlier, I've had company for a week and this is the first day I've even been on the site for well over a week.