r/isleroyale • u/MyNaymeIsOzymandias • Jun 06 '25

Transportation to island What time should I expect to hit the trail after the ferry lands?

I'm taking the Ranger III from Houghton to Windigo and the NPS website lists the arrival time as 2:30. I've been on other ferries before though and I know that there's usually some time getting off the boat, some kind of orientation, etc. What would be a good estimate of when I would actually be hitting the trail?

I ask because I'd love to get to South Lake Desor campground on that first day but I know I'm probably pushing it on daylight. Am I crazy?

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4

u/thelizparade Jun 06 '25

Different boat, but maybe still good intel? On the Voyager II we got off the boat at 9:30 and I was hiking by 10:30, but I was third in line to get my permit so it went quickly.

The actual "orientation" was only about five minutes long.

3

u/Legitimate-Donkey477 Years that you have traveled to the island! Jun 06 '25

I didn’t know the ranger went to windigo, but it’s still light(ish) at 10.

-1

u/naeko87 6 Visits Jun 06 '25

That's because it doesn't. They might mean Rock Harbor

10

u/awildtriplebond Jun 06 '25

It does, once a month.

3

u/thesneakymonkey 17/18/21 Jun 06 '25

It does now

7

u/naeko87 6 Visits Jun 06 '25

2

u/thesneakymonkey 17/18/21 Jun 06 '25

Expect to spend 45 min-1hr with docking, retrieving your bag, ranger orientation, etc. all dependent on how many other people are exiting at that stop too.

2

u/Brad_from_Wisconsin Jun 06 '25

I would expect 30 to 60 minutes for unloading the boat and gear sorting. Then there is a "ranger talk" where they will cover stuff like trail conditions or wildlife concerns.
If you start hiking at 4, you will have 3 or 4 hours until sunset.

1

u/Lower_Molasses2748 Jun 10 '25

If you're there in June, sunset is at nearly 10pm, and it doesn't really get dark for another hour.

2

u/natparks63 Jun 12 '25

The difference between the Ranger III and the Voyager is that the R3 is staffed by Rangers and they will give you the talk and issue your permit on board. You will have to wait for your bags to be unloaded from the hold +/- 30.

1

u/KodiakSnake Jul 20 '25

Please update us on what time you were able to make it onto the trail! ty!!

3

u/MyNaymeIsOzymandias Jul 20 '25

We landed at about 2:25ish and I probably got on the trail by like 2:45-2:50. They do all the orientation and permitting on the boat which saves time but it takes them a while to unload your bags. I could definitely tell that the dock crew at Windigo weren't used to unloading the Ranger since it only comes there three times per summer. It took them a minute to get things figured out. I was able to get to South Desor on the first night though.