r/isleroyale • u/Jumpy_Ad_7892 • 12d ago
General Backpacking Trip Logistics
My very experienced (PCT, CDT, hayduke, etc) partner is planning a backpacking trip to the Isle next week. She's thoroughly researched/planned her trip, but is having some trouble answering a few questions. She's getting a little nervous about the trip, so I thought I'd check in here for advice from folks who've made the trip. Her questions are below and we'd appreciate any and all thoughts/advice! Thanks!
If I get injured (like a painfully walkable leg/ankle/foot) or ill and want to leave the island early, is it possible to get on an earlier ferry back to my car? (From Rock Harbor on IR to Copper Harbor MI). Or worse case, from Windigo on IR to Grand Portage on a boat I don't already have a return ticket for?
If I send a box via the ferry to Windigo, why left on dock? I understand that delays in my own itinerary are possible thru my research, but if I am delayed, does my food box really just get left on the dock until either I pick it up or an animal does? How is this safe for animals or humans? It's like hearing we have to plan to be flexible, but the support systems make being flexible challenging. There isn't/can't be a bear box at the dock at least to keep it safe from animals until it gets picked up? I was told to address the box in a way that included the RANGER STATION (c/o voyaguer boat, windigo ranger station, isle royale park, grand portage mn)
The info on the NPS website also says packages mailed to Windigo or stored at Rock Harbor have to be "non perishable" and "no food". What's the point of a package if not to send more food to myself? I can assure you my food is shelf stable, non perishable, but it IS food.
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u/bellybutton_smegma 11d ago
I can attest to the injury thing - I hurt my foot on my nine day trip last year. I worked with the rangers for medical assistance and they insisted upon arranging me new transportation off the island. I left one day early and got to take a ride in a cute little NPS boat
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u/jonlob_40 '18, '19, '20, '23, '24, '25 11d ago
Always wondered but been too afraid to ask, how much would a boat ride like this cost back to RH or Windigo? I always assumed if you broke your ankle in the middle of the park you're prob on the hook for a $50k helicopter ride.
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u/bellybutton_smegma 11d ago
I was not charged any fee! Not sure if that’s normal or not. The ranger had to take someone else to Mott Island and we rode along with them. Just had to pay the regular ranger iii fare
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u/jonlob_40 '18, '19, '20, '23, '24, '25 10d ago
That's actually very reassuring! Thank you for sharing. I love the island but don't want to go into financial ruin over a broken ankle lol.
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u/partydanimull 11d ago
Why not just bring all the food you need with you?
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u/KodiakSnake 10d ago
If you're there for more than a week it can become a lot of food to carry and fit into a bear can.
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u/KodiakSnake 11d ago
Yes, i have seen people get on boats they didnt have tickets for because they got injured. As long as the boat has room they'll take you. The Voyageur does prefer to be paid in cash tho.
I think their directions about packages has not been updated since before the new food storage regulations. I have heard if you are not there the food will be stored with the rangers but id try to meet the boat.
I got food shipped to McCargoe just fine a week or so ago. The website says fuel and food cannot be stored in the rock harbor or windigo store. This is different than packages that are shipped by mail. Non-perishible food is fine to ship.
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u/mushluvs 11d ago
Just hiked from Windago to Rock Harbor in 3.5 days. I'm a noob but in decent shape. It was pretty rough. Hiking poles are a must. While looking at a map it all seems simple, I would personally (in hindsight) not recommend planning for more than an average of 10 miles a day. Depending on what trails you do, there are a lot of ups, downs, and uneven terrain. Better to have more time to enjoy the views than to rush and risk injury.