# Isle Royale — May 2024

2024-05-23 · Isle Royale National Park, MI

[Read the journal with daily maps](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-isle-royale-2024)

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## Day 1 · May 23

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![Wood frog.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53787861951.jpg)

![Skull with survey tag 01.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788076033.jpg)

![Bones laid out for the survey.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788282110.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 10 miles.

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**Observed:** [Western Rattlesnake Plantain](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219399939), [Wood Frog](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/222382472).

## Day 2 · May 24

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![Morning camp in the hardwoods.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53786923832.jpg)

![Jaw with the LV X2 2024 tag.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788080208.jpg)

![Beaver pond crossing.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53786931397.jpg)

![Moss-covered bone.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788296895.jpg)

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

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**Observed:** [Hackledmesh Weavers](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219399979), [kidneyleaf white violet](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219399935), [Scarlet Elfcup](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219399936).

## Day 3 · May 25

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![Marsh marigolds.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53786943472.jpg)

![Inland lake and Lake Superior from the ridge.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788310205.jpg)

![Moose skull.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53786958487.jpg)

![Camp at dusk.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788119378.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 5 miles.

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

**Observed:** [fringed polygala](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219399946), [Virginia strawberry](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219399956), [Northern Cranesbill](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219399937), [Amygdaloideae](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219399943), [round-lobed hepatica](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400032).

## Day 4 · May 26

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![Crossing a waterfall.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788344200.jpg)

![Last light on the shoreline.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788151078.jpg)

![Common loon.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53786995222.jpg)

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

<!-- Camp: (nearby on OpenStreetMap: Hay Bay; Hay Bay Campground; Isle Royale; Lake Superior) -->

**Observed:** [Dark Fishing Spider](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400054), [Great Horned Owl](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219670417), [flowering plants](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400015), [American Beaver](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219575246), [Cedar Waxwing](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/222382470), [gray reindeer lichen](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400048), [red columbine](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400022), [tamarack](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400037), [Common Loon](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/222382469).

## Day 5 · May 27

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![Island off the shore.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788253019.jpg)

![Bones laid out in rows.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53787949601.jpg)

![Mirage on Lake Superior.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53787951136.jpg)

![Mossy bone.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53787010582.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 5 miles.

<!-- Camp: (nearby on OpenStreetMap: Hay Bay; Hay Bay Campground; Isle Royale; Lake Superior) -->

**Observed:** [Moose](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219563394), [gold-and-brown rove beetle](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/220601194), [Northern Azure](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/220603661), [Waltzing Fly](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/220603664), [Phormia](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/220603665), [Orange-legged Furrow Bee](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/220603667), [Winter tick](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219843008).

## Day 6 · May 28

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![Wild columbine.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788373810.jpg)

![Fish in the shallows.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788272529.jpg)

![Red fox.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788180573.jpg)

![Moose skull in the grass.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53795281551.jpg)

**Approx. distance:** about 8 miles.

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**Observed:** [tamarack](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/222382465), [meadow buttercup](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400071), [Red Fox](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219525689), [Moose](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219633239).

## Day 7 · May 29

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![Ducklings in the reeds.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53787025547.jpg)

![Mallard hen with ducklings.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53787967991.jpg)

![Red-eyed vireo.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788385540.jpg)

![Hiking out.](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-log/photos/isle-royale-2024/53788386440.jpg)

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

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

**Observed:** [Mallard](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/222382463), [Red-eyed Vireo](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/222382464), [thimbleberry](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400066), [wild sarsaparilla](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400064), [alternate-leaved dogwood](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400063), [broad-leaved dock](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400056), [showy mountain-ash](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400086), [red baneberry](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400090), [red-berried elder](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219400076).