I worked for a barite mining company on S.McKellar Island a few years back, which is about 13 miles from Isle Royale. The lake requires respect. It can go from near-flat to having 6 foot swells in about 15 minutes...a best friend drowned in the Nipigon Straights. I go out on it, from Thunder Bay...but only in my Saturn inflatable, in a Stohlquist drysuit using a NEW outboard...
I’ve been going to Isle Royale since 1976 when I was 1.5 years old. Third generation of boater, camper. We’ve met and talked with the original families that lived, and still have claim to parts of the island. We’ve explored most of the coast and inlets and about 2 miles in all around and the hike to inland lakes. There’s a tall pine tree on a little island as you look out the Rock Harbor light house that hasn’t changed a bit since the picture of it from that light house was taken in 1855.
Dude you’re vid is bad ass. Keep making these. You will build views. I have a tiny 22ft sailboat I want to take on an adventure up there. Maybe go to the Apostle Islands. The lake is amazing. So humbling!
Great vid. When you take a boat to Isle Royale you can see 100X's more of the good stuff than the poor hikers....plus you can bring luxurious luxuries. I use my boat as base camp and day and multi day hike from it. Plus I am spoiled and need my own small island when I camp and Isle Royale offers me 100s of options.
Awesome job on your documentary! Definitely captures your attention! Can't wait to canoe Isle Royale in the future! Aug 2017 We hiked 35 miles of the island, I want to experience it from water now.
Hi Jeff, Enjoyed your video and thanks for putting it together for us. I am originally from Mount Clemens but I have been in California for a long time now. Currently in San Francisco. ... Have been on cruises to Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks in recent years. I have wondered about Isle Royale: Your vid is a big incentive for me. Keep up the good work. There is a lot of video storytelling to be done! ... Thanks again, Carl
Love this video. Planning on visiting Isle Royal this July. Now you have me thinking about bringing or renting Kayaks and doing day hikes. How did you score the state room on the Ranger III? Not finding much info on the interior of the Ranger. Reservations went in a few weeks ago but haven't heard back yet because of the shutdown. Hopefully soon.
The stateroom on the ranger was a much welcome surprise. We didn't make any reservation for the room but rather stumbled upon it slightly delusional from lack of sleep. Stake your claim early in the voyage and you should be fine. Thanks for watching and I hope you have an awesome trip this summer!
Nicely done video. I was really surprised to see they'll haul your boat out there! Did they lower it onto some sort of cradle on deck? My 17' sailboat draws 18" minimum depth, I wonder if they'd be able to accommodate that. I assume they just lower it directly into the water at Rock Harbor ?
Thanks for watching! I took 1 extra 6-gallon fuel can plus the outboard motors 6-gallon tank. I believe there is fuel at the Windigo visitor center, but I'm not positive. One thing to remember is that only half a tank of gas is allowed onboard the Ranger 3. Hope that helps!
The day we made that trek it was very calm. I think we averaged around 15mph. I would estimate the total time of the journey to be a little over an hour. The weather is a huge factor and can play a major role in slowing you down. I would still highly recommend Bell Isle. Thanks for watching!
Hello! I really want to visit Isle Royale this summer, but I'd be going alone and without a boat. Is it worth it to do it without a boat? Are there places rent (boats, kayaks) from on the island? Also, what's the least amount of time you could spend visiting here? Thanks!
Ashtyn Aure thanks for checking out the video. Absolutely it’s still worth doing without a boat! There’s tons of hiking and rental boats basically identical to the one in the video available in Rock Harbor. There’s multiple ferry’s that run during the summer months so depending on where you are coming from it’s possibly to stay on the island for as little as a couple hours. However, I strongly recommend spending multiple days in the park. You won’t be disappointed
Rock harbor has a rustic motel they call a lodge and you have a small cafe. Hiking trails to nearby areas, but let the ranger station know your itinerary and they can advise
Carson Mevis Duncan Bay pike fishing is amazing! Also if you’re able to get out in a boat on any of the inland lakes you will be successful. Thanks for checking out the video.
Jigging on any of the many reefs (with braided line) to about a max of 180’ , and a 3-4 oz jig, with cut or fake bait will get you plea to of fresh, native Lk Trout. Deeper than 180’, and you will get fats (a greasier Lk trout). Cast spooners on shallow reefs and even in harbors for native lk trout, as well as trolling body baits and spoons up high will bring a good mixed bag of trout and salmon.
Nice video. Well crafted. F.Y.I.; it is illegal to fly drones at a national park...:( From N.P.S. website "Until the NPS can determine whether specific uses of unmanned aircraft are appropriate and will not cause unacceptable impacts on park resources and values, Isle Royale National Park is closed to the use of these devices. The use of unmanned aircraft within the boundaries of the park has the potential to harm visitors, disturb wildlife, impact viewsheds, cause excessive noise, and interfere with other visitors' enjoyment of the area and may be incompatible with the purposes for which the park was established, including providing those opportunities for recreational, use and experiences which are compatible with the preservation of the park's wilderness character. A less restrictive approach is not appropriate at this time due the the impacts the devices could potentially present."
Great video but I brought this to light 9 months ago, surprised this video is still up. NPS Park Rangers at IRNP would have no problem tracking this guy down and issuing him a ticket. All it would take is somebody to forward this video to them and they would be all over it.
Doug Evans go fuck yourself you bald piece of shit, if you wanted more information you could’ve easily look up Isle Royale’s wikipedia page. What a sad life you must lead
I worked for a barite mining company on S.McKellar Island a few years back, which is about 13 miles from Isle Royale. The lake requires respect. It can go from near-flat to having 6 foot swells in about 15 minutes...a best friend drowned in the Nipigon Straights. I go out on it, from Thunder Bay...but only in my Saturn inflatable, in a Stohlquist drysuit using a NEW outboard...
I’ve been going to Isle Royale since 1976 when I was 1.5 years old. Third generation of boater, camper. We’ve met and talked with the original families that lived, and still have claim to parts of the island. We’ve explored most of the coast and inlets and about 2 miles in all around and the hike to inland lakes. There’s a tall pine tree on a little island as you look out the Rock Harbor light house that hasn’t changed a bit since the picture of it from that light house was taken in 1855.
This video is incredible!! Very well put together and illustrates the adventure perfectly. It definitely deserves more than 6k views!!
100% pure Michigan = RAW beauty
I've been very fortunate to have visited this island several times. Great video but I thought drones were a no-no out there?
Dude you’re vid is bad ass. Keep making these. You will build views. I have a tiny 22ft sailboat I want to take on an adventure up there. Maybe go to the Apostle Islands. The lake is amazing. So humbling!
Thanks for sharing
Great video. I’ve been to the Isle twice kayaking and it was fun to revisit the places through your video.
Great footage. I like the underwater and drone shots. I hope you produce a bunch more. Thanks for sharing. Subbed.
Michigan Nomad so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the sub. I’ll be sure and check out your channel
Great vid. When you take a boat to Isle Royale you can see 100X's more of the good stuff than the poor hikers....plus you can bring luxurious luxuries. I use my boat as base camp and day and multi day hike from it. Plus I am spoiled and need my own small island when I camp and Isle Royale offers me 100s of options.
Todd Twopapers Definitely a boaters paradise. Thanks for watching!
Awesome vid man! You’ve made a video worthy of the isle!
Thanks Andrew! Appreciate the love
Bro bomb vid....that boat ran smooth and cut those waves like a knife
Thanks Ryan! The Alumacraft ran like a dream!
This is awesome! I live in Minnesota and I have never even heard of Isle Royale until today. Great video!
Awesome job on your documentary! Definitely captures your attention! Can't wait to canoe Isle Royale in the future! Aug 2017 We hiked 35 miles of the island, I want to experience it from water now.
Third time watching this video and every time it’s better
Hi Jeff, Enjoyed your video and thanks for putting it together for us. I am originally from Mount Clemens but I have been in California for a long time now. Currently in San Francisco. ... Have been on cruises to Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks in recent years. I have wondered about Isle Royale: Your vid is a big incentive for me. Keep up the good work. There is a lot of video storytelling to be done! ... Thanks again, Carl
Thanks for sharing planning a summer time to Isle Royale
Great video man
I've been dreaming about a trip up there for years now
Hey I really enjoyed watching your video. Looks like an incredible location. Good job.
Kayak Outbreak thanks man! You should get out there in the kayak
Love this video. Planning on visiting Isle Royal this July. Now you have me thinking about bringing or renting Kayaks and doing day hikes. How did you score the state room on the Ranger III? Not finding much info on the interior of the Ranger. Reservations went in a few weeks ago but haven't heard back yet because of the shutdown. Hopefully soon.
The stateroom on the ranger was a much welcome surprise. We didn't make any reservation for the room but rather stumbled upon it slightly delusional from lack of sleep. Stake your claim early in the voyage and you should be fine. Thanks for watching and I hope you have an awesome trip this summer!
Great video! What time of year did you go?
Sweet vio, wished it was longer!
Cool adventure.
Damn I am impressed with the editing of this video.
Nicely done video. I was really surprised to see they'll haul your boat out there! Did they lower it onto some sort of cradle on deck? My 17' sailboat draws 18" minimum depth, I wonder if they'd be able to accommodate that. I assume they just lower it directly into the water at Rock Harbor ?
Water Trails they do put it right in a slip, there are size restrictions listed on the Ranger 3 website
Great video! How much gasoline did you go through? And is there more places to fuel up then the main harbor you initially entered in on?
Thanks for watching! I took 1 extra 6-gallon fuel can plus the outboard motors 6-gallon tank. I believe there is fuel at the Windigo visitor center, but I'm not positive. One thing to remember is that only half a tank of gas is allowed onboard the Ranger 3. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the speedy follow up, helpful indeed
Nice job. How long does it take to go from Rock harbor to Bell inland
The day we made that trek it was very calm. I think we averaged around 15mph. I would estimate the total time of the journey to be a little over an hour. The weather is a huge factor and can play a major role in slowing you down. I would still highly recommend Bell Isle. Thanks for watching!
Jeff Wicks that cool I plan on kayaking that way so 3 mile a hour tops for me I'm over here in Jackson
Great video! Would love to see more drone footage if you publish another video
Hello! I really want to visit Isle Royale this summer, but I'd be going alone and without a boat. Is it worth it to do it without a boat? Are there places rent (boats, kayaks) from on the island? Also, what's the least amount of time you could spend visiting here? Thanks!
Ashtyn Aure thanks for checking out the video. Absolutely it’s still worth doing without a boat! There’s tons of hiking and rental boats basically identical to the one in the video available in Rock Harbor. There’s multiple ferry’s that run during the summer months so depending on where you are coming from it’s possibly to stay on the island for as little as a couple hours. However, I strongly recommend spending multiple days in the park. You won’t be disappointed
Yes boat rental at Rock Harbor,and canoes as well
Rock harbor has a rustic motel they call a lodge and you have a small cafe. Hiking trails to nearby areas, but let the ranger station know your itinerary and they can advise
I am heading to Isle Royale this summer backpacking do you have any tips for fishing?
Carson Mevis Duncan Bay pike fishing is amazing! Also if you’re able to get out in a boat on any of the inland lakes you will be successful. Thanks for checking out the video.
Jigging on any of the many reefs (with braided line) to about a max of 180’ , and a 3-4 oz jig, with cut or fake bait will get you plea to of fresh, native Lk Trout. Deeper than 180’, and you will get fats (a greasier Lk trout). Cast spooners on shallow reefs and even in harbors for native lk trout, as well as trolling body baits and spoons up high will bring a good mixed bag of trout and salmon.
"On August 2014, the National Park Service (NPS) made it illegal to operate drones in National Parks under 36 CFR 1.5."
this guy just screams rich daddy to me
Grant Freed you and your channel just screams “my wife left me and took half of my income” to me
Why lol he's got like a $4k setup
Nice video. Well crafted. F.Y.I.; it is illegal to fly drones at a national park...:( From N.P.S. website "Until the NPS can determine whether specific uses of unmanned aircraft are appropriate and will not cause unacceptable impacts on park resources and values, Isle Royale National Park is closed to the use of these devices. The use of unmanned aircraft within the boundaries of the park has the potential to harm visitors, disturb wildlife, impact viewsheds, cause excessive noise, and interfere with other visitors' enjoyment of the area and may be incompatible with the purposes for which the park was established, including providing those opportunities for recreational, use and experiences which are compatible with the preservation of the park's wilderness character. A less restrictive approach is not appropriate at this time due the the impacts the devices could potentially present."
Great video but I brought this to light 9 months ago, surprised this video is still up. NPS Park Rangers at IRNP would have no problem tracking this guy down and issuing him a ticket. All it would take is somebody to forward this video to them and they would be all over it.
Learned very little and the vid bored me. No real info. Not worth your time with this one.
Doug Evans go fuck yourself you bald piece of shit, if you wanted more information you could’ve easily look up Isle Royale’s wikipedia page. What a sad life you must lead