Isle Royale Women’s Fit & 50+ Backpacking Trip
2022 Trip Dates:
June 5-10
Aug 2-7
This is a Level 2 Trip: Each participant will need to be able to carry a full backpack (about 30 pounds) approximately 4 miles each day on designated trails, with the option for additional day hikes.
It’s essential to be prepared for your adventure. Read our preparation tips for both your footwear and fitness.
If this is your first-ever backpacking trip and you live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, a Backpacking 101 - Classroom Orientation at Midwest Mountaineering is highly recommended (but not required) prior to departure. This orientation provides hands-on instruction to familiarize you with gear, clothing and lists prior to hitting the trail. Learn key essentials such as how to pack a backpack, use a water filter and stove, set up a tent, run through your gear list, and more. A free course is included with your trip registration. If classes are sold out, or you can’t attend in person, we will provide you with our virtual Orientation.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Note: While we do our best to adhere to the schedule, ALL ITINERARIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. All times listed below use Eastern Time. Isle Royale and the neighboring towns of Houghton and Hancock are all located in Michigan.
Day 1 - Pre-Trip Meet-Up
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Meet-Up/Backpacking 101 Orientation and Backpack Shakedown in Houghton/Hancock, MI or Grand Marais, MN.
5:45 pm - Check-in starts at an Airbnb or group campsite (to be determined by COVID-19 restrictions)
7:00 pm - Welcome dinner at the Airbnb or group campsite (to be determined by COVID-19 restrictions)
TOTAL DAY: Includes orientation, backpack shakedown, lodging and dinner
Day 2 - Fly by floatplane from Hancock, MI or Grand Marais, MN to Isle Royale, backpack to our 1st wilderness campsite, optional hike to Mt. Franklin
6:00 am - Rise and shine, eat breakfast
7:00 am - Drive to the Floatplane Launch
7:30 am - Meet at the Floatplane Launch (Hancock Portage Canal) in Hancock, MI for check-in
8:00 am - Isle Royale Seaplane’s 6-passenger de Havilland Beaver floatplane departs from Hancock, MI to Rock Harbor (on Isle Royale). The floatplane is weather-dependent, so timing may change.
8:45 am - Arrive at Rock Harbor, MI (on Isle Royale)
Stop at Rock Harbor Lodge to store your small bag of clean clothes to wear the last day of the trip (must be less than 7 pounds)
Backpack 3 miles to our 1st night’s wilderness campsite in a protected bay. Familiarize yourself with your feet, your gear, and the outdoors.
Set up camp and eat lunch
Explore the surrounding area, day hike, or relax at our camp. Mt. Franklin, the highest point on Isle Royale, with stunning vistas, is a 3.4-mile round-trip day hike (optional, guided).
6:00 pm - Dinner in camp
TOTAL DAY: 3 miles, includes floatplane transport, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all snacks
Day 3 - Backpacking to our 2nd wilderness campsite, optional hike to spectacular Firetower
7:30 am - Rise and shine, eat breakfast, and break camp
9:00 am - Hit the trail
Backpack 4.4 miles to our 2nd wilderness campsite in a protected bay.
12:00 - Enjoy lunch either on trail or at our new campsite
Set up camp and explore the surrounding area, day hike, or relax at camp. Mt. Ojibwe Firetower with its spectacular views is a 3.4-mile round-trip day hike (optional, guided).
6:00 pm - Dinner in camp
TOTAL DAY: 4.4 miles, includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all snacks
Day 4 - Backpacking to our 3rd wilderness campsite, optional hike to Lake Richie
7:30 am - Rise and shine, eat breakfast, and break camp
9:00 am - Hit the trail
Backpack 3.9 miles to our 3rd night’s wilderness campsite in a protected bay.
12:00 - Enjoy lunch either on trail or at the new campsite
Set up camp and explore the surrounding area, day hike, or relax at our camp, which provides spectacular waterfowl viewing. Interior Lake Richie is a 4.6-mile round-trip day hike (optional, guided).
6:00 pm - Dinner in camp
TOTAL DAY: 3.9 miles, includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all snacks
Day 5 - Water Taxi to Rock Harbor (on Isle Royale) with time to explore charming Rock Harbor with the group or on your own.
7:30 am - Rise and shine, eat breakfast, and break camp
9:30 am - Take a water taxi back to charming Rock Harbor (on Isle Royale). The water taxi is weather-dependent, so timing may change.
10:30 am - Arrive in Rock Harbor (on Isle Royale)
Set up camp or check into the Lakeside Lodge or a Cottage
NOTE: Rock Harbor has several accommodation choices. Camping is included in trip fees. If you choose to stay at the cozy Rock Harbor Lakeside Lodge Rooms or a Cottage, those costs are not included in the trip fees. Be sure to make your own lodging reservations well in advance.
Retrieve your clean change of clothes at Rock Harbor Lodge to wear for the remainder of your trip
Enjoy a shower and clean up (shower is included in trip fees)
12:00 - Enjoy lunch on the outdoor patio at Rock Harbor’s Greenstone Grill (included in trip fees)
Explore the surrounding Rock Harbor area, day hike, or relax in Rock Harbor.
Optional self-guided exploration:
Scoville Point is stunning a 4.6-mile round-trip day hike.
Rock Harbor also rents out canoes or kayaks to explore beautiful Tobin’s Harbor (these options are not included in our trip fees and are not guided).
‘The Sandy” tour boat offers several tours, including the Edison Fishery and Rock Harbor Lighthouse Tour as well as the Raspberry Island/Sunset Tour (not included in trip fees).
6:30 pm - Group dinner at a quaint restaurant at Rock Harbor (included in trip fees)
TOTAL DAY: Includes water taxi transport, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all snacks
Day 6 - Group breakfast and Return to the mainland
6:45 am - Rise and shine
7:30 am - Group breakfast at Rock Harbor’s Greenstone Grill
8:30 am - Meet at the Floatplane Dock in Rock Harbor for return flight to Hancock, MI
9:00 am - Depart Isle Royale on Isle Royale Seaplane’s 6-seat floatplane, returning to Hancock, MI. The floatplane is weather-dependent, so timing may change.
9:45 am - Arrive in Hancock, MI for trip finish
TOTAL DAY: Includes Isle Royal Seaplane transport and breakfast
What IS Included On Your Trip:
Round-trip floatplane transport between Hancock, MI (the Upper Peninsula) and Rock Harbor, MI (Isle Royale)
Lodging in Houghton/Hancock, MI the night prior to our floatplane flight to Isle Royale
Dinner our first night in Houghton/Hancock, MI prior to trip launch
Breakfast in Houghton/Hancock, MI before our floatplane flight to Isle Royale
Water taxi from our 3rd night’s campsite at Moskey Basin back to Rock Harbor
National Park Fees for all 6 days
All food while on Isle Royale, including 3 restaurant meals
All camping while on Isle Royale
Parking fee at floatplane dock in Hancock, MI ($5/day)
Storage fee for your clean clothes at trip’s end in Rock Harbor on Isle Royale (no more than 7 pounds)
A hot shower, if you opt to camp your final night on Isle Royale
All major gear while on Isle Royale: solo tent or shared double tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, hiking poles, water filtration equipment, cooking and eating gear. We use only high-end, lightweight equipment to help you have a comfortable trip.
Orientation and backpack shakedown
Our comprehensive packing list indicating exactly which personal items to bring. This list can also be used for your future backpacking trips.
Coaching to advance your backpacking skills
An electronic photo album of your trip
Experienced trip leader who is a NOLS-Certified Wilderness First Responder
Group first-aid kit and safety gear, including satellite messaging device
Transaction processing fees
Commercial use authorization National Park fees
What Is NOT Included On Your Trip:
Transportation to/from Hancock, MI (in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula)
Indoor lodging options at Rock Harbor the final night on Isle Royale. (Camping at Rock Harbor and a hot shower are included in trip fees, if you choose that option.)
Personal items as indicated on the packing list
Alcoholic beverages
Gratuity for your trip leader is at your discretion
Personal trip insurance is not included, but is recommended
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will I be safe?
Your safety is our top priority! Our Trip Leaders are experienced wilderness guides, and are certified Wilderness First Responders. This helps us to minimize risks, and identify and respond quickly to health issues in the wilderness. We have procedures in place to deal with backcountry emergencies, and an extensive safety plan. We always carry a Garmin mini InReach satellite messenger. This device can be used in the event of an emergency in the wilderness, to notify local authorities that we need assistance or to activate search and rescue. We practice good backcountry hygiene and sanitation. Our trip leaders are also Certified ServSafe® Food Protection Managers, to ensure proper food safety and cleanliness.
Will I be able to stay in touch with loved ones?
Our time on the trail will likely be out of cell phone range. Trip leaders always carry a satellite messenger device, which can be pre-programmed to send “check-in” messages to loved ones by text or email so that they know where you are currently located and that everything is going well. In the unlikely event of an emergency, the satellite messenger device can also be used to trigger help.
How do I register?
[Click here][1] to Register. Registration for a trip is not complete until we have had the opportunity to speak with you via telephone about the demands of the trip.
Do I need to complete any paperwork?
Once you have signed up for an On-Trail Trip, you will receive a receipt by email with a link to Waivers and Health Assessments, which need to be signed and returned to us prior to trip departure. To get the most out of your trip, we suggest that you have a medical physical 90 days prior to departure.
Do I need a COVID-19 Vaccine?
YES. For all 2022 Trips, guests and staff must provide proof of vaccination for COVID-19 prior to trip start. If you are not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, you must provide a doctor’s note AND receive a negative COVID-19 test, within 72 hours of the trip start.
Why do I have to complete an interview?
To ensure your safety and the best possible guest experience, we interview every client before booking is confirmed. Our trips have varying levels of ability and fitness, so we do our best to make sure the trip you book is the right fit for you.
How old do I have to be to register?
This trip is geared towards women, aged 50 and older.
How many people will be on this trip?
The Isle Royale Trip requires a minimum of 3 participants to depart, with a maximum of 8 participants.
Where does this trip start?
This trip begins and ends in 2 locations: Hanock, MI or Grand Marais, MN. The nearest regional airport to Hanock is the Houghton County Memorial Airport(CMX), with daily United Airlines flights from Chicago O'Hare.
What do I need to bring?
To have a successful trip, you need to have appropriate footwear (backpacking boots or trail shoes that have been broken in) and adequate rain gear, in addition to your clothing and personal items, which will be clearly indicated on the detailed gear list that we will provide to you. Let us know if you have any questions about items on the gear list, as each piece is an important component to a successful trip. We want to ensure you arrive fully prepared for the trail! See our Packing List for details. We will provide all of your major gear, including backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tents, food, cooking gear, eating utensils, and more.
Do I really need to pack rain gear, even if it's not forecast to rain?
Yep! You must pack absolutely everything on the packing list, including good quality rain gear. Weather in the backcountry can be unpredictable and staying both warm and dry is essential to your safety. You will not be able to proceed with the trip if you don't bring all the gear. If you forget something, there are local gear shops near most of our meeting spots, so you should be able to acquire a replacement.
Will I have clean clothes every day?
Nope. Welcome to backpacker life! Extra clothes weigh a lot so we try to be strategic about what we carry on the trail. We all get a little stinky out there, but it makes that shower at the end feel sooooo good!
Will I get to take a shower during my trip?
If your trip has a layover in a hotel, motel, hostel or vacation home - you bet! If you are on the trail, don't count on being shower-fresh. Isle Royale is the exception: You get to shower your final night out on the Island! You can always splash off in a creek, or bring some travel wipes to clean up with. Just remember that if you pack it in, you have to pack it out!
What will I eat on the trail?
All food is provided on your trips, unless otherwise indicated in your itinerary. Because we are carrying all our food on the trail, without refrigeration, we eat calorie-dense foods and dehydrated meals that are lightweight and nutritious. Take a look at our sample trail menu.
What happens if I need to depart a trip early?
While we do our best to help our clients prepare for a trip - we know that life happens! We do not offer refunds for partially completed trips. We recommend clients purchase their own travel insurance, in case of an emergency or illness.
Do I need trip insurance?
We strongly recommend our guests purchase their own trip insurance. Life happens, and a small injury or illness (hello, COVID-19) could prevent your participation in one of our trips at the last minute. Read our suggestions below to help you start finding trip insurance.
Do I need to tip my guide?
Tipping your guide is optional, but always appreciated. The industry standard is 10-20% of the trip cost.
CANCELLATION, TRANSFER, AND REFUND POLICY
If you wish to cancel your registration, please note the following deadlines:
61 or more days prior to your scheduled trip, we will refund 80% of the trip cost.
60 days or less before a scheduled trip, we will be unable to refund any portion of the trip cost.
Backpack The Trails LLC reserves the right to cancel a trip without cause. We do our best to ensure that this never happens. In the unlikely event that this does happen, you will be notified as soon as possible, upon which time you can request a full refund or choose a different, similarly-priced trip, if there is still space available.
If you wish to transfer your registration to a different trip, please note the following deadlines:
61 or more days prior to your originally-scheduled trip, 80% of your trip cost is transferable for one year.
60 days or less before your originally-scheduled trip, none of the trip cost is transferable for one year.
Trip Insurance
Backpack The Trails LLC carries business insurance and does not provide trip or medevac insurance to clients.
We strongly advise our clients to purchase their own Trip Insurance and Medevac Insurance. These trips are active adventures, and require you to be fit. Most people book months in advance, and sometimes life can change. Having Trip Insurance can help you recover your registration costs, in case you become ill, injured, lose a job, have a family emergency, or something beyond your control comes up that prevents you from coming on the trip, or that forces you to depart the trip early. Medevac insurance can provide coverage if you need a medical transfer to a facility with higher levels of care or closer to home.
If you plan to purchase Trip or Medevac Insurance, you often need to do so within a short period of time after booking your trip. Be sure to read all of the fine print for any Trip Insurance you purchase.
Here is a helpful list of pandemic travel insurance options.