Getting There (1st in a series about Isle Royale)

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and dynamic speaker. 

She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has authored three books about these adventures. 

To learn more about her work, or to engage her as a speaker, go to 

http://www.laketrek.com/great-lakes-speaker/

This May I led the first organized 

all-women team on a Moosewatch Expedition on Isle Royale.

Teams of hikers support the longest-running predator/prey wildlife study in the world. Scientists have been studying the interactions of wolves and moose on this isolated island for 62 years. 

Before we can hike the island and gather moose bones for the scientists to study, we must first get to there.

Ferries travel to the island from three points: Grand Portage, MN

Houghton, MI

Copper Harbor, MI

There is also a seaplane that travels from Houghton, MI to the island.

Waiting to board the Voyageur II

Voyageur II ferry docked in Grand Portage, MN

Isle Royale is a National Park and it is the least visited of all our parks. The effort it takes to get to the island is part of the reason for this.

Once travelers get to Isle Royale, they typically spend more time there than in any other park.

Riding the Voyageur II to the island

 I have about a 12 hour drive to get to Grand Portage, then a 2 hour ride on the ferry.

Several Moosewatch volunteers on the ferry

This year's Moosewatch Expedition was thrilling. I was honored to lead a team this year, a team comprised of women.

I'll blog about this fantastic time on Isle Royale all this month.