In-island Lakes

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and Great Lakes speaker. She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has written three books about the Great Lakes [A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach *a Heartland Indie Bestseller*, A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Walk *winner of the Great Lakes Great Reads Award*, and A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure]. To learn more about her work, or to book her as a speaker, go to http://LakeTrek.com

This year I hiked my third Moosewatch Expedition on Isle Royale. We explored the island east of Malone Bay and around several inland lakes including the largest, Siskiwit Lake. This lake is not only the largest on the island, but also has an island in the lake, Ryan Island. And Ryan Island is therefore the largest island on the largest lake on the largest island on the largest freshwater lake in the world.

Whew!

Enjoy these photos and videos of a few of the dozens of inland lakes. 

Empire Bluff Trail

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and Great Lakes speaker. She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has written three books about the Great Lakes [A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach *a Heartland Indie Bestseller*, A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Walk *winner of the Great Lakes Great Reads Award*, and A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure]. To learn more about her work, or to book her as a speaker, go to http://LakeTrek.com

I recently revisited one of my favorite hikes along Lake Michigan's shoreline. It is the Empire Bluff Trail near Empire, Michigan. 

The view from the top is amazing.

 Two years ago, a strong storm with shearing winds blew through the area knocking down many trees. Those trees have been decaying, returning to the earth, giving habitat to creatures. 
The loss of those mature trees also opened up the canopy allowing more sunshine to reach the forest floor. New trees are taking their place. 

Some of these downed trees are taking on a sculptural quality as they lose their bark and weather away.

Some trees reveal how the wind has twisted them over time.

 This excellent spider lives along the trail, too.

Teamwork on Isle Royale

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and Great Lakes speaker. She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has written three books about the Great Lakes [A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach *a Heartland Indie Bestseller*, A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Walk *winner of the Great Lakes Great Reads Award*, and A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure]. To learn more about her work, or to book her as a speaker, go to http://LakeTrek.com

This year I hiked my third Moosewatch Expedition on Isle Royale. 

This is a team venture, and we rely on each other throughout the week.

Team (L>R) Mark, Me, Bob, Chris, Jenny, & Hal

Mark holds a found antler

The wildlife study is led by Rolf Peterson 

Jenny and Chris (our team leader)

Me and Jenny by a huge fallen tree

Chris takes a bite

The team spreads out to find bones

Breaking camp. Hal cleans house.

Moose team!

On the island

Gathering around the Solo Stove to cook dinner