June 23rd, 2004

We arrived at Isle Royale Monday afternoon and after we got settled we hiked the Tobin Harbor Trail and then went towards Suzy's Cove. There were many flowers along the path but the ones that thrilled me most were three Calypso Orchids (Calypso bulbosa, Fairy Slipper). We also saw, blooming: Baneberry, Bearberry, Naked Miterwort, Early Saxifrage and Eastern Paintbrush. On Tuesday we hiked out towards Scoville Point, and my breath was taken away finding over seventy-five Calypsos in one rather small area. There were many patches of Gay Wings (Fringed Polygala) and they are so beautiful too, one must just keep on smiling. We also saw Douglas Honeysuckle, a mother fox with four babies and a young moose. Wednesday we hired a water taxi to take us to Hidden Lake and Lookout Louise. There as we began our hike it was like they laid out a carpet of blooming Bunchberries, then an area of Pink Moccasin flowers, about thirty, Bastard Toadflax, Wild Comfrey but best of all - Two areas of Ram's Head Ladyslippers. I have never seen these before, tried but no success. There were four in one clump and then two more. They were not as showy but it certainly was exciting. The trip was a success, the boat ride long, the food good. There were six of us women and we had two cabins attached to each other. We ate meals together and some did some thing and some did others. We all went to Lookout Louise.

Click Here for the latest wildflower report from Lorraine Anderson

About Isle Royale:

The Park, located in Lake Superior's northwest corner is a wilderness archipelago - a roadless land of wild creatures, unspoiled forests, refreshing lakes, and rugged, scenic shores - accessible only by boat or floatplane. Travel on and around the island by foot, boat, or float plane. Isle Royale has 165 miles of scenic hiking trails ready for exploration and 36 campgrounds for backpackers and recreational boaters. Excellent fishing opportunities abound on one of the Island's many inland lakes or on Lake Superior.