Minnesota: Voyageurs & Isle Royale NPs, scenic North Shore, w/moderate hikes

Let's explore our Upper Midwest, with Voyageurs and Isle Royale National Parks and North Shore Scenic Drive (MN 61) on Lake Superior. Voyageurs is a mixture of upland and aquatic ecosystems, southern boreal and northern hardwoods forest types, and rocks. We also plan to spend a day at Isle Royale getting there by a charter boat.

The both parks are more of wilderness type of experience and having anticipation of solitude and wondering what the next lake might look like, much like the voyageurs and fur trappers did in the past.. There is high chance of seeing moose, timber wolves, black bear, and deer in these areas: the relatively small island of Isle Royale, for example, has populations of approx 25 wolves and 1,000 moose.

And we will conclude the trip by a scenic drive that follows the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, passing lighthouses and cascading streams and going though the only part of the continental US where the northern boreal landscape thrives and where walks, overlooks and stairways revel Lake Superior's immensity.

We will hike in one of the few state parks along the shoreline where we can see a river dropping off a cliff and even rain forests setting with water splitting over mossy ledges. Superior Lake can appear to be calm and serene but may quickly release its legendary fury thrashing icy waves against the shore. We also plan to stop in a resort town there with a picturesque natural harbor, fine restaurants and shops.

Summer weather in this area is mild with day average temperatures 70 degree F and possible light wind. See updates of weather forecasts at:
https://bit.ly/2IJStpB

Trip's summary:

• 5days/4nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers.
• The starting and ending point is Duluth International Airport, MN.
• Level of activities: Easy to Intermediate.
• Hotel accommodations in Grand Marais, MN, International Falls, MN. All locations in this event follow safety requirements by the state.

Clothes and gear recommended:

• good hiking shoes,
• warm jacket for evenings, be ready to layer up,
• hiking poles if you used to them,
• consider hydration bladder for hikes,
• sunglasses,
• sunscreen,
• hat.

TENTATIVE Cost $670. (FINALLY UPDATED NO LATER THAN 1.5 MONTH BEFORE THE START DAY.) What will be included:

• 5days/4nights stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two queen beds in room),
• Breakfasts at the hotels,
• Transportation by minivan (like Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Grand or similar) covering approx. 600 mi of road-tripping total,
• Park entrance fees,
• Organized hikes in all days.

What is NOT included:

• Getting to and from Duluth International Airport, MN,
• renting canoe (optional), $12-25/day, in Voyageurs NP,
• getting boat shuttle ticket to Isle Royale National Park, $87 out and back trip - needed to get to the park: https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/ferry-transportation-services.htm, [https://www.isleroyalebooking.info/res(L10!pid=ii!ptc=b)?](https://www.isleroyalebooking.info/res(L10!pid=ii!ptc=b)?)
• Meals, snacks, water.

ATN: Previous canoe experience is recommended for this trip. There are options to explore the both parks by ground only (still getting to Isle Royale by a boat shuttle) but the essence of Voyageurs is better to appreciate by canoeing.

In CA there are many opportunities to go on a canoe day trip - to get acquainted to it. I had personal (positive) experience with this provider: Burke Canoe trips (http://burkescanoetrips.com) in Russian River, CA.

Because the areas in this trip are quite remote, more rarely visited/have fewer accommodation and other service providers, and because this trip requires some individual booking by participants, please sign up only if you are certain about going and can finalize your decision and make all booking no later than one month before the dates.

Sunrise: 6:50am. Sunset: 5:50pm. Everyday we want to start off from the hotel at 7 am or 7:30am, or 8am as the latest. If you are a nigh owl, please try to adjust yourself for an earlier getup during the trip - the purpose of it is to use more of daylight time for activities.

There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a WhatsApp group chat will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to connect by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the group.)

Sign up and feel free to comment/message with any questions!

Title photo: encounters in Isle Royale National Park
Photo album: places we'll stay in or pass and their environments