2022 Isle Royale Women's Fit and 50+ Backpacking Trip
2022 Isle Royale Women's Fit and 50+ Backpacking Trip
2022 Dates:
June 5-10, 2022
August 2-7, 2022
Trip Length: 6 Days/5 Nights
Distance: 11 miles plus optional dayhikes
This all-inclusive trip is for Women 50 and over.
Includes:
Round-trip flight from Hancock, MI or Grand Marais, MN to Isle Royale, on a 6-passenger DeHavilland Beaver Floatplane
Intra-Island Water Taxi
1st night's lodging
ALL major backpacking gear (tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, trekking poles, stoves, cooking gear, etc)
ALL food, including a welcome dinner and celebration dinner at trip’s end
Certified guides
On-trail instruction
A comprehensive packing list
Post-trip e-photos
Trip Rating: 2 - Beginner Backpacker (Click here for Trip Rating Descriptions)
We will explore Michigan’s rugged Isle Royale National Park on a 6-day backpacking trip. Isle Royale is a remote island in Lake Superior, one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes. This trip is specifically geared toward women age 50+ who would like to continue developing backpacking skills, while enjoying the wilderness with a certified trip leader. Spend your days backpacking stunning trails and your nights camping on protected bays near the shores of Lake Superior.
With over 100,000 acres of protected wilderness, Isle Royale is home to a myriad of songbirds, colorful migrating waterfowl, a significant moose population, Red Fox, turtles, an exciting handful of Gray Wolves and more. If we listen carefully, the Common Loon will lull us to sleep with its extraordinary call. Maybe we will even hear the wolf’s coveted howl — we’ve heard them on prior trips!
The entire island of Isle Royale is a National Park accessible only by boat or plane, making it extremely remote. All 36 campsites are reached only by watercraft or on foot. There are no roads, no vehicles, and no bears. Campsites on the periphery of the island have traditional tent sites, as well as sheltered huts that we can use, if vacant.
We will be deep in a lush boreal forest in mid-Summer splendor, surrounded by gorgeous flowers unique to the island, including the rare and lovely Ram's Head Lady's Slipper orchid. Once we set up camp each day, we will have optional day-hike options to great viewpoints, including a fire lookout tower.
Each participant will need to be able to carry a full backpack (about 32 pounds) 5 miles each day on designated trails. With professional guidance, participants will set up their own tent and prepare their own food.
Want to see more? Check out Michelle’s Field Notes and Photos from her 2019 Isle Royale Trip.
LEVEL 2 TRIP: Participants should be in good physical condition, and able to hike up to 5 miles a day, on uneven terrain, carrying 35lbs.
We provide all major high-end, lightweight gear for participants to use, as well as all food for the entire trip. If you would like to use your own gear, we will consult with you to ensure that your gear is appropriate for this trip.
We are now offering 2 different departure points for this adventure: Hancock, MI or Grand Marais, MN. Please be sure to select your preferred departure location when you register. Registration closes 30-days prior to trip start.
Not sure if this is the right trip for you? Questions about this trip? Contact us!