# Isle Royale — May 2023

2023-05-24 · Isle Royale National Park, MI

[Read the journal with daily maps](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-isle-royale-2023)

<!-- Intro: a few sentences about the trip. -->

<!-- Day 9 track is trimmed at Windigo; the ferry ride back is left off the map and mileage. -->

## Day 1 · May 24

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

![Moose.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52975058877.jpg)

![Warbler in cedar.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52975806774.jpg)

![Fox yawning.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52975663131.jpg)

![Orange mushrooms on moss.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52976120448.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 11 miles.

<!-- Camp: (nearby on OpenStreetMap: North Lake Desor; Lake Desor; Isle Royale) -->

**Observed:** [American Marten](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/167969941), [Yellow-rumped Warbler](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/167343679).

## Day 2 · May 25

<!-- No GPS track this day. Day notes go here. -->

![Beaver pond.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52976040385.jpg)

![Moose in brush.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52975678016.jpg)

![Skull with survey tag 01.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52976138218.jpg)

![Lake Superior from rock outcrop.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52976141973.jpg)

## Day 3 · May 26

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

![Sunrise over lake.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52976068270.jpg)

![Yellow-rumped warbler.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52975099442.jpg)

![Antlers with tag 02.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52975710966.jpg)

![Carrying a skull out.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52975768487.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 6 miles.

<!-- Camp: (nearby on OpenStreetMap: North Lake Desor; Lake Desor; Isle Royale) -->

## Day 4 · May 27

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

![Boat with Sleeping Giant behind.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52976472276.jpg)

![Superior beach stones.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52980368953.jpg)

![American marten in cedar.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52979925931.jpg)

![Merganser at dusk.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52980583496.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 7 miles.

<!-- Camp: (nearby on OpenStreetMap: North Lake Desor; Lake Desor; Isle Royale) -->

## Day 5 · May 28

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

![Cliffs above Superior.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52979979077.jpg)

![Red cedar roots in creek.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52979986232.jpg)

![Bull moose bedded in birches.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52981179580.jpg)

![Moose standing.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52980809641.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 9 miles.

<!-- Camp: (nearby on OpenStreetMap: North Lake Desor; Lake Desor; Isle Royale) -->

## Day 6 · May 29

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

![Loon on a beaver pond at dawn.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52981268358.jpg)

![Beaver dam reflection.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52981281268.jpg)

![Lake Superior and the Sleeping Giant.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52980848101.jpg)

![Me with the day’s antlers and skulls.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52980253467.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 8.5 miles.

<!-- Camp: (nearby on OpenStreetMap: North Lake Desor; Lake Desor; Isle Royale) -->

## Day 7 · May 30

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

![Packs loaded with antlers and skulls.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52980258217.jpg)

![Moose browsing.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52980263767.jpg)

![Moose in the birches.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52981247175.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 11 miles.

<!-- Camp: (nearby on OpenStreetMap: Isle Royale) -->

## Day 8 · May 31

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

![Marsh marigolds.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52980269897.jpg)

![Boardwalk through the swamp.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52980879461.jpg)

![Evening over the lake.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2023/52980880406.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 8.5 miles.

<!-- Camp: (nearby on OpenStreetMap: Washington Creek Campground; Windigo; Washington Harbor; Isle Royale) -->

**Observed:** [Callobius](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165222173).

## Day 9 · June 1

<!-- Day notes go here. -->

**Approx. distance:** about 4.5 miles.

<!-- Camp: (nearby on OpenStreetMap: Windigo; Washington Creek Campground; Beaver Island Campground; Washington Harbor) -->