Although notoriously difficult to get to (and, in Bryan’s case, off of), Isle Royale National Park rewards visitors with acres of solitude and Superior vistas. Park Ranger Liz Valencia, the park’s Chief of Interpretation and Cultural Resources, joins Bryan to discuss the island’s mystique and why it’s rugged beauty is more approachable than you think.

Discussion Includes the Following:

0:02 - Past episodes listening suggestions: Ken Burns interview, Biscayne National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Everglades National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Olympic National Park, Saguaro National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park

1:10 - Park Ranger Liz Valencia, Chief of Interpretation and Cultural Resources at Isle Royal National Park

1:26 - Minnesota or Michigan? Getting to Isle Royale by boat: Ranger III, Isle Royale Queen IV, Voyageur II, Sea Hunter III

4:03 - Daytripper strategies: Grand Portage, MN and Copper Harbor, MI

8:40 - Seaplane service

9:42- Extended exploring aboard Voyageur II

10:25 - Island hopping and harbor stopping: Daytrip and overnight options at Windigo, McCargoe Cove, Belle Isle, Tobin Harbor, Rock Harbor, Daisy Farm, Malone Bay, Chippewa Harbor

12:28 - Rock Harbor Lodge water taxi

12:45 - Huginnin Cove Loop Trail

13:28 -  Hiking the spine: The Greenstone Ridge Trail

16:16 - Weather considerations and planning for the unexpected

20:02 - Daytrip hikes from Rock Harbor: Scoville Point, Suzy’s Cave, Lookout Louise, Mount Franklin, Tobin Harbor, Ojibway Fire Tower

24:24 - Rock Harbor paddling recommendations

25:46 - Daytrip hikes from Windigo: Windigo Nature Trail, Grace Creek Overlook, Minong Overlook, Rock of Ages Huginnin Cove Loop

27:15 - Backcountry treks: Feldtmann Ridge Trail

29:25 - Backcountry portages

30:19 - Islands and inland lakes: Beaver Island, Lake Richie, Chickenbone Lake

31:49 - Backcountry camping permits and logistics

33:30 - Backcountry popularity

35:44 - Sailing around Isle Royale and the outer islands

36:27 - An underwater museum: cold-water diving amongst the preserved remains of 10 major shipwrecks

40:52 - Ranger programs on land and water

45:44 - Inside the park’s wolves and moose population with Isleroyalwolf.org and the fictional Winter Study by Nevada Barr

47:48 - Slim shoulder-season

49:52 - Pests

51:20 - Seasonal transitions

53:47 - Ranger Liz shares a favorite Isle Royale memory

57:15 - Don’t be shy. Ask a ranger!

For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com.

We have covered parks including: Biscayne, Crater Lake, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rock Creek, Saguaro, Shenandoah, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.

We also have special conversations with a diverse group of national park champions.

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