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HOOSIER HIKING .COM

My journey into slots and rappelling...

4/20/2023

As spring unfolds and I am back to a bit of normalcy with my work schedule, I thought it was time to do a little reflection and recapping of our time in the San Rafael Swell this year. By no means am I a slot canyon expert, but I feel 1,000 times more experienced than before and can offer up some advice to those looking to try it for the first time.

Return to Celina Lake

4/18/2023

Our campsite on Celina Lake, Hoosier National Forest

On Friday April 14th we took off on the Two Lakes Loop Trail, for the beautiful cliffside campsite on Celina Lake in Hoosier National Forest. This is a very popular site and to snag it on a spring weekend would be a real treat. We made great time from the main trailhead to the campsite passing a few nice ones along the way. However, even with our early Friday start, around 1:00 the campsite came into view and someone’s tent was already there. We missed it.

Terill Ridge camp out

4/16/2023

Our campsite along Terill Ridge, Hoosier National Forest

On April 7th 2023, we returned to one of our favorite camping spots in the Deam Wilderness area of Hoosier National Forest. The weather was still chilly, but the sunlight clearly had turned a corner to feel like spring had arrived. Unsurprisingly, on this nice spring weekend, we encountered a full parking lot at the Terrill Ridge Fire Tower, and for the first time, even saw a NFS staff member meeting the public and offering information to the many visitors. We quickly donned our packs and took off down the trail.

Isle Royale - Day 29

8/6/2022

Taking a nap with Rock harbor and Raspberry island in the background, Isle Royale

Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 144.5
Total miles paddled: 22.5
Total moose seen: 23
Total foxes seen: 7
Total days with no cell service: 28

Goodbye, Isle Royale
I would love to say that our final day was a huge cathartic release, but perhaps as anyone out for as long may also confess, there is a readiness and itchiness to go home that probably makes us not the only ones that did not feel that way when the ferry pulled up.

Isle Royale - Day 28

8/5/2022

Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 144.5
Total miles paddled: 22.5
Total moose seen: 21
Total foxes seen: 7
Total days with no cell service: 27

We had one last shot to fulfill our Isle Royale dreams and goals. After 27 days on the island, I certainly didn't want to wake up and realized we wished we had gotten in one more hike, or if only... And I certainly hope to go a long time before hearing my husband's schemes at another adventure on Isle Royale. Surely, we will put the obsession to rest for a few years at least.

Isle Royale - Day 27

8/4/2022

A nice view of the Americas wreck from the Voyager II on a clam sunny day, Isle Royale

Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 134.9
Total miles paddled: 22.5
Total moose seen: 21
Total foxes seen: 7
Total days with no cell service: 26

The ride we all deserved.
With bluebird skies, we hesitated to hop on the Voyager with fresh memories of big waves in mind. We joked with the captain about the ride from days before and he owned up to some of the realities we had faced. However, today couldn’t have been more polar opposite of that journey.

Isle Royale - Day 26

8/3/2022

Looking for the Americas ship wreck, but the wind and waves are not making it easy, Isle Royale

Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 134.9
Total miles paddled: 22.5
Total moose seen: 21
Total foxes seen: 6
Total days with no cell service: 25

We did not have great forecasts for our time in Windigo paddling, but we awoke to fairly calm waters and cloudy skies, so we decided to make a run for Grace Island and the shipwreck of the Americas and see how close we could get with our weather. We donned our dry suits quickly and got on the water to make the most of the calm.

Isle Royale - Day 25

8/2/2022

Closing in on the Beaver Island dock, Washington Harbor, Isle Royale

Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 134.9
Total miles paddled: 14.5
Total moose seen: 21
Total foxes seen: 6
Total days with no cell service: 24

With the weather not as hoped for, we awoke to a weather window on a forecasted stormy day, so we decided to paddle out to Beaver Island and around Washington Harbor and Washington Creek. That way we would be close to camp if the weather picked up.

Isle Royale - Day 24

8/1/2022

The Voyager II tied up in Rock Harbor, Isle Royale

Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 125.5
Total miles paddled: 10.9
Total moose seen: 21
Total foxes seen: 5
Total days with no cell service: 23

Hold on for your life, a ride to remember!

We were certainly not ready for the adventure that lie before us today. Excited for a new Isle Royale day, we met the Voyager at the Snug Harbor dock and lined up with the other 40 people headed to Windigo. We had loaded our boats the night before and bought the captain a beer for his efforts.

Isle Royale - Day 23

7/31/2022

Baby loons on Isle Royale, the image is a little fuzzy, don't want to get too close loons like their space, Tobin Harbor, Isle Royale

Key statistics:
Total miles hiked: 125.5
Total miles paddled: 10.9
Total moose seen: 20
Total foxes seen: 5
Total days with no cell service: 22

After working through the emotional brick wall I hit, today we awoke to a fresh start and tried to think of this as a phase four of the last stage of our month long adventure. We had cloudy skies and took off for Lookout Louise for the 3rd time this month. Once on a rest day, once with our son, and now once with our friends. The third time was the charm for wildlife on this day trip.