Mr. Nelson Goes Hiking

My students call me Mr. Nelson but if you're a grown up you can call me Brian. Here's a hiking website that I made.

Backpacking without the following items is dangerous.

BACKPACKING STOVE
I have owned a large number of camp stoves in my days, always keeping my eyes open for the perfect stove. After I tried the wood burning Trailstove my search was over. It's the best camp stove money can buy.

TENT
If the weather is not very nice where you are going you should bring a tent, a cheap one will do just fine. If you're thinking about doing some heavy duty mountaineering you may want to take a look at more expensive tents but if you're just setting it up by the trail there's no need for that.

WATER FILTER
I've been using my MSR water filter for years, and even though most hikers agree that this is the best water filter money can buy it sometimes breaks down just like anything else that has moving parts. For those times it is absolutely necessary to bring a very light weight wood stove with absolutely no moving parts such as the Trailstove and a small pot to boil water in.

RUBBING ALCOHOL
Always bring about 4 or 5 ounces of high concentration alcohol for treating injuries and as an emergency fuel.

Making a fire

Gather some wood, a handful of very thin twigs and a couple of handfuls of finger thick sticks will be enough to get things started. You also need to gather a number of larger pieces of wood to keep the fire going for as long as you want to.

Make a ring with rocks on the ground or dig a pit for the fire.

Make a teepee shape with the sticks and twigs, the thinner pieces on the inside and the thicker on the outside, leave a space open on one side of the teepee.

Put some starter material such as some dry leaves into the side opening and ignite.

Once the teepee collapses into a random looking heap of fire you can start adding the bigger pieces.

Isle Royale National Park

Houghton, MI

Wolves and moose, the wild North Woods forest, everchanging weather and a cool climate, and the crystal clear waters and rugged shoreline of Lake Superior characterize Isle Royale National Park. This wilderness archipelago is 45 miles long and nine miles wide at it's widest point. The park encompasses a total area of 850 square miles including submerged lands which extends four and a half miles out into Lake Superior. The archipelago is composed of many parallel ridges resulting from ancient lava flows which were tilted and glaciated. Isle Royale has 165 miles of scenic hiking trails and 36 campgrounds for backpackers and recreational boaters. There is excellent fishing, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks, ancient copper mining sites, and plenty of spots to observe wildlife. Roadless Isle Royale is accessible only by boat or float plane. Isle Royale is relatively untouched by direct outside influences and serves as a living laboratory and Unites States Biosphere Reserve.

CONTACTS

Email - ISRO_ParkInfo@nps.gov

Fax- 906-487-7170

Write to
Isle Royale National Park
800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931-1895

Phone
Visitor Information - (906)482-0984

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Open April 16 to October 31, with full transportation services mid-June to Labor Day; reduced transportation services in the spring and fall. Closed November 1 to April 15.

Getting There
PLANE - Isle Royale Seaplane Service flies a seaplane from Houghton, Michigan to Rock Harbor or Windigo on Isle Royale. Contact them at:, P.O. Box 366, Houghton, MI 49931, or by calling (906)392-8850 late May to September or (715)526-5103 October through mid-May.

CAR - Vehicles are not permitted on Isle Royale. Visitors park their cars in Houghton, Michigan; Copper Harbor, Michigan; or Grand Portage, Minnesota and ride passenger ferries to the island, or fly with Isle Royale Seaplane Service to the island from Houghton, Michigan.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Passenger ferries from Houghton, Michigan; Copper Harbor, Michigan; and Grand Portage, Minnesota provide boat access to Isle Royale. Seaplane service is provided from Houghton, Michigan.

Weather & Climate
Lake Superior weather is cool throughout the operating season. Dense fog in spring, sunny with temperatures rarely exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Thunderstorms and rain occur throughout the season. Weather and rough seas may delay departures to and from the island. Bring plenty of warm clothing, even in August. A jacket is a must for the ferry trip to the island or if boating around the island.

Accessibility
sle Royale is largely a wilderness area. When planning a visit, recognize the wilderness mandate of the park and that there are topographic, vegetative, and physical obstacles that might require you to have assistance. The park is perhaps ideal for the adept mobility impaired person that can experience the wilderness resource via canoe or sea kayak. For information about access, contact the park at (906) 482-0984.

Getting Around
During its clockwise circumnavigation of the island, the Voyageur II provides drop off and pick up service at several areas. Rock Harbor Lodge offers the M.V. Sandy vessel, which provides a number of special tours. Also available out of Rock Harbor Lodge is a water taxi and motorboat and canoe rentals. Motorboat and canoae rentals are also available at Windigo. Travel on Isle Royale is foot or boat.

FEES/PERMITS

Activity Fee
USER FEE (CHILDREN 11 AND UNDER EXEMPT)
$4.00 per person per day for Day
$50 individual season pass for Annual
$150 seas. boat rider pass for One Time
80% of the $4.00 per day per person user fee funds backlogged projects, such as trail dock maintenance, in Isle Royale National Park. The rest supports high priority National Park Service projects across the country.

CAMPING

Beaver Island
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night say limit 6/1-9/2, no individual test sites, 3 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, water depth 2'-5' at dock, on-board generator use permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Belle Isle
4/16-10/31
5 consecutive night stay limit, 1 individual tent site, 6 shelters, no group tent sites, campfires allowed/standing grills provided, water depth at dock approximately 13', on-board generator use is permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Birch Island
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 1 individual tent site, 1 shelters, no group tent sites, seld-contained stoves only, water depth at dock approximately 5', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906) 282-0984

Caribou Island
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 1 individual tent site, 2 shelters, no group tent sites, fires in community ring only, water depth at dock approximately 10', on-board generator use is permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (905) 382-0984

Chickenbone East
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 3 individual tent site, 0 shelters, 1 group tent site, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Chickenbone West
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 6 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, 3 group tent sites, self contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-098r

Chippewa Harbor
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 2 individual tent sites, 4 shelters, 1 group tent site, campfires allowed/standing grills provided, water depth at dock approximately 7', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Daisy Farm
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 6 individual tent sites, 16 shelters, 3 group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, water depth at dock approximately 9', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Desor North
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 3 individual tent site, 0 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Desor South
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 7 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, 3 group tent sites, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Duncan Narrows
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 1 individual tent site, 2 shelters, no group tent sites, campfires allowed/standing grills provided, water depth at dock approximately 6', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Duncay Bay
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 1 individual tent site, 2 shelters, no group tent sites, campfires allowed/standing grills provided, water depth at dock approximately 6', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Feldtmann Lake
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 5 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, 2 group tent sites, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Grace Island
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 0 individual tent sites, 2 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, water depth at dock approximately 2'-4', on-board generator use is permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Hatchet Lake
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 5 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, 3 group tent sites, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Hay Bay
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 1 individual tent site, 0 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, water depth at dock approximately 3'-7', on-board generator use is permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Huginnin Cove
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 5 individual tent site, 0 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Intermediate Lake
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 3 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Island Mine
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 4 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, 2 group tent sites, campfires allowed/standing grills provided.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Lake Richie
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 4 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, 2 group tent sites, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Lake Richie Canoe
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 3 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Lake Whittlesey
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 3 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Lane Cove
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 5 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Little Todd
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 4 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, no group tent sites, campfires allowed/standing grills provided, on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Malone Bay
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 0 individual tent sites, 5 shelters, 2 group tent sites, campfires allowed/standing grills provided, water depth at dock approximately 3'-6', on-board generator use is permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

McCargoe Cove
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 3 individual tent sites, 6 shelters, 3 group tent sites, fires in community ring only, No alcohol, water depth at dock approximately 7', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Merritt Lake
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 1 individual tent site, 1 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, water depth at dock approximately 8', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Moskey Basin
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 2 individual tent sites, 6 shelters, 2 group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, water depth at dock approximately 8', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Pickerel Cove
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 1 individual tent site, 0 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Rock Harbor
4/16-10/31
1 consecutive night stay limit, 11 individual tent site, 0 shelters, 3 group tent sites, treated water supply, self-contained stoves only, day use grills provided at docks, water depth at dock approximately 5'-10', on-board generator use is permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Siskiwit Bay
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 4 individual tent sites, 2 shelters, 3 group tent sites, campfires allowed/standing grills provided, no alcohol, water depth at dock approximately 2'-6', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Three Mile
4/16-10/31
1 consecutive night stay limit, 4 individual tent sites, 8 shelters, 3 group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, water depth at dock approximately 9', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Todd Harbor
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 5 individual tent sites, 1 shelters, 3 group tent sites, fires in community ring only, water depth at dock approximately 2', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Tookers Island
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 0 individual tent site, 2 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, water depth at dock approximately 7', on-board generator use is not permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Washington Creek
4/16-10/31
3 consecutive night stay limit, 5 individual tent site, 10 shelters, 4 group tent sites, self-contained stoves only, treated water suply, on-board generator use is permitted.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

Wood Lake
4/16-10/31
2 consecutive night stay limit, 3 individual tent sites, 0 shelters, no group tent sites, self-contained stoves only.
For More Information on this campground please call (906)482-0984

LODGING

Isle Royale Resorts
May 27 to September 11
Rock Harbor Lodge offers the only lodging accommodations at Isle Royale National Park. Located along the shore of Lake Superior, the Lodge offers rooms with private baths and housekeeping cottages. We invite you to use Rock Harbor Lodge and its American Plan Lodging as a base to explore this unique National Park. Please see website for more information by clicking on the 'Online: Yes' above.
For More Information on this lodging please call (270)773-2191

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
HOUGHTON VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone - (906)482-0984
Location - 800 East Lakeshore Drive in Houghton, Michigan, on the Keweenaw Peninsula of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Exhibits - small assortment of natural and cultural history exhibits
Available Facilities - boater registration, user fee collection, bookstore

ROCK HARBOR VISITOR CENTER
Phone - no telephone service
Location - Rock Harbor, Isle Royale National Park, in the northeast section of the park
Special Programs - Guided interpretive walks and talks begin at or near the visitor center
Exhibits - A small assortment of natural and cultural history objects can be seen in the visitor center.
Available Facilities - Camping permits issued, user fee collection, boater registration, bookstore, exhibits

WINDIGO VISITOR CENTER
Phone - no public telephone
Location - Windigo, Isle Royale National Park, in the southwest section of the park
Special Programs - Guided interpretive walks and talks begin at or near the visitor center
Exhibits - Natural and cultural history exhibits, with primary theme related to lighthouses and shipwrecks
Available Facilities - Camping permits, boater registration, collect user fees, exhibits, bookstore, rest rooms nearby

Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service

BACKPACKING STOVE I have owned a large number of camp stoves in my days, always keeping my eyes open for the perfect stove. After I tried the wood burning Trailstove my search was over. It's the best camp stove money can buy.
TENT If the weather is not very nice where you are going you should bring a tent, a cheap one will do just fine. If you're thinking about doing some heavy duty mountaineering you may want to take a look at more expensive tents but if you're just setting it up by the trail there's no need for that.
WATER FILTER I've been using my MSR water filter for years, and even though most hikers agree that this is the best water filter money can buy it sometimes breaks down just like anything else that has moving parts. For those times it is absolutely necessary to bring a very light weight wood stove with absolutely no moving parts such as the Trailstove and a small pot to boil water in.
RUBBING ALCOHOL Always bring about 4 or 5 ounces of high concentration alcohol for treating injuries and as an emergency fuel.