Scout Troop Hikes Michigan Parks

Recently, seven boys from the Troop 31 Boy Scouts, Huron, and adults Chuck Kaman and Tom Dusza, planned and completed a 90-mile backpacking trip on Isle Royale National Park, Mich. On July 8, they made a 10-hour drive to Van Riper State Park. The following morning, they drove to Houghton and boarded a ferry to take them to Isle Royale. After six hours, they arrived at Rock Harbor and almost immediately started hiking.

The crew was lucky to have nice, cool weather for most of the trip, and their spacious itinerary enabled them to see fascinating sights all around the island. They even saw a couple of moose and a calf along the way, as well as some loons, but they were more easily heard than seen as recalled by the hikers who had trouble sleeping.

Their itinerary included trips to Daisy Farm, McCargoe Cove, Hatchet Lake, Island Mine, Hatchet Lake, East Chickenbone Lake, Three Mile, and back to Rock Harbor. They stayed at Island Mine for two nights so they could day hike without packs to Windigo at the end of the island. Along the trail, they spotted raspberries, thimbleberries and blueberries, which they stopped to pick.

The boys and adults occupied themselves in their free time by playing euchre, having campfires, and jumping into Lake Superior. Euchre was probably the most popular activity; participants had a few Euchre tournaments throughout the week. Lake Superior was extremely cold and everybody was brave enough to jump in at least once; on three different occasions, they jumped off docks and started swimming the second they hit the water.

The crew arrived home around noon on July 18, having taken plenty of pictures and enjoying their time during the trip.