Last full day on Isle Royale and just one path from Rock Harbor we have not hiked. So, after the usual breakfast at the Grill, we walked the Tobin Harbor Trail. We bought lunch supplies at the store, then watched the Ranger III, the NPS supply ship, load two motorboats, five kayaks, two canoes, and a lot of other stuff, destined for mainland Michigan. The cost for motorboats is based on size and is either $125 or $200 one-way.; kayaks cost $35. Island trash, flattened cardboard boxes and humans also were loaded on the Ranger III, which takes 6 hours to Houghton, MI. (The Ranger III arrived Friday evening, delivered many cart-loads of supplies, including two freezer cases, plus a new batch of tourists. The ship spent the night near the Park Headquarters on Mott Island getting something repaired.)
Our hike went along the east side of Tobin Harbor in a straight line to the southwest for 3+ miles (remember the geology – parallel islands with water filled valleys in between). We reached the junction with the trail that comes down from the Greenstone Ridge going to the Rock Harbor side of the island. We retraced our path to a cutover trail that goes up a few hundred feet, then passes Suzy’s Cave (described in a previous day’s adventure). We stopped for some snacks and then walked back to the Lodge. The hike was 6.5 miles in length. We saw a couple new plants, a dozen baby mergansers, a clutch of ducklings with their mama, a toad, and a cool-looking Common Whitetail dragonfly. While we were having snacks near the cave, Betsy spotted three critters in the water swimming/diving. They had dark heads, long bodies and curved backs when diving and so we guessed otters. Once we got back to the Ranger Station, she asked if it was possible, and it was. So, otters they were.
At the Ranger Station the second big boat that goes between Michigan and Isle Royale, the Isle Royale Queen IV, was loading passengers, kayaks, and gear. We passed several clumps of backpackers (including two batches of 8-10 high-school-aged boys – Scouts?) heading out as we returned, so we knew the island had a fresh supply of visitors and the back country campsites would be full.
Once we were back in our guest room, we saw ship No. 3, the Voyageur II sail past, completing its Saturday run to Rock Harbor. We will catch her outbound tomorrow morning to return to Grand Portage.
Sounds like a great adventure. C
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