Washington Creek

Wayne and Mike on the dock
at Grand Portage

Windigo Harbor and dock
from the Wenonah

I started the day with a shower, granola bar, and juice. We found the Wenonah dock in Grand Portage and we were comfortably early. http://www.grand-isle-royale.com/ Actually the water was smooth and the boat ride on the Wenonah was uneventful. I tried to check everyone out to figure where they were going. I was looking for solitude and luckily found out that most people had different itineraries then we had planned. As it works out for this time of year, there were not may people on the boat and this is why Mike and I plan backpacking trips for September and October. When we arrived at Windigo, Mike slipped down to pick out a shelter while Lyle and I listened to the ranger's welcome spiel. Then I checked in at the visitors' center … the National Park Service likes to know where you are going, so we filed a trip plan. Our plan was to hang out in the Windigo area and hit the trail to Feldtmann Lake in the morning. So we had a sandwich at the Windigo Store, then Mike and I answered a survey for Ann (NPS Ranger). They were asking return visitors for their input on how to control the large number of backpackers in the summer. I have never been here in July but have heard stories of how crowded the campgrounds can be. Then the three of us took off for on a hike to Windigo Mine. Isle Royale was known for its copper but there really isn't much left of this mine. We saw a couple of rails and the remnants of a fallen log building. The hike was only a few miles but dinner always tastes better after you been out walking. The first night in Windigo was one of Mike's specialties. It sometimes is tough cooking on a backpacker stove, but Mike is always up for the challenge. Mike puts together an Italian pepperoni spaghetti bake that we enjoyed as expected. It was a good way to start our trip.

NPS Visitor Center

Trail through wetlands

The remains of a cabin at Windigo Mine

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Feldtmann Lake

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Front Page

Windigo

Feldtmann Lake

Feldtmann Ridge

Siskiwit Bay

Island Mine

Greenstone to Windigo & Wenonah to Grand Portage