Plan for POSSIBLE Transportation Delays

Transportation delays occasionally happen with Isle Royale trips. Thus, be prepared for them and have a plan.

The only way to get to and from Isle Royale are the various commercial ferries and the commercial seaplanes (unless you are using your own private boat or private seaplane). Thus, your Isle Royale trip (in many ways) will be VERY dependent upon these modes of commercial transportation.  If the boat or plane is unable to travel--due to weather or mechanical issues--that transportation delay is going to greatly impact your trip, your schedule, and your life. Thus, I would encourage you to be prepared for the possibility of transportation delays and have plans that you can implement in such situations.

First, the Great News ...

I have actually used each of the modes of commercial transportation to/from Isle Royale. I can personally attest to the safety, reliability, and tremendous customer service that EACH of these transportation services provide. I have great faith in each of them. They will do their very best to work with you and they will try to find solutions to any issues that may arise. Their staff members are well-trained, experienced and (almost always) super courteous. Their boats and planes are routinely inspected. They meet all government safety regulations. Safety briefings happen at the start of every trip. Safety drills are held (per the frequency set forth by the appropriate regulatory agencies).  As Isle Royale visitors, we are blessed to have each of these transportation services--and very fortunate to have a variety of transportation options available to us.

Unfortunately, Crap Happens

Sadly, none of the transportation companies can control the weather ... and the ability of these boats and planes to operate safely is VERY dependent upon the whims of the Lake Superior weather. (There are also super rare times when there might be a mechanical issue that may need to be addressed). The staff of these transportation companies will not knowingly put their passengers at risk. They always try to err on the side of caution. That also means that there will occasionally be transportation delays--in order that passengers are kept safe.

BACK-UP OPTIONS ARE LIMITED: If the Ranger III ferry (operated by the National Park Service) were to experience a mechanical issue that prevented it from sailing--it isn't as if the National Park Service has another boat (exactly like it) waiting in reserve to step in and take it's place on a moment's notice. The same is true with the private ferry services and the private seaplane company. They don't keep spare boats and spare seaplanes sitting around (unused and nearby) "just in case" they may one day need a spare one on short notice. Thus, on the VERY RARE instances when there are mechanical issues, there will be likely transportation delays until the repairs occur and/or until another plan can be implemented.

Weather (or mechanical) delays MAY be just a few hours in duration. The delays may also be for a whole day (or--in extremely rare instances--the delays may be for MORE than one day). As a visitor to Isle Royale, it is important to know that TRANSPORTATION DELAYS CAN --AND DO--HAPPEN, Thus, it is important to be prepared for such delays and have appropriate plans ready.

 The Potential Implications of a Delay in Arriving

Depending upon your level of preparedness for a potential transportation delay, a transportation delay might be .... 1)  only a minor inconvenience, 2) a significant problem, or 3) a "disastrous" blow to your plans.

I cringe when people share their trip itineraries--and I learn that they have allowed absolutely no "wiggle room" in their plan for any sort of potential transportation delay. This is especially true when they are planning to hike across the length of the entire island on a tight schedule. I will read things like: "The seaplane is going to drop us off at Windigo at 9:00 a.m. on Day # 1. That night we will camp at S. Lake Desor.  Night # 2 we will stay at W. Chickenbone.  Night # 3 will be spent at Daisy Farm Campground and we will hike to Rock Harbor and catch our 11:30 a.m. seaplane back to the mainland on Day # 4". (I will read similar itineraries with ferries -- instead of seaplanes-- listed as the mode of transportation).

What if there is heavy fog on Day # 1...and the 9:00 a.m. seaplane arrival is delayed until 2:00 p.m.? What if the fog doesn't lift all day on Day # 1--and your seaplane can't get you to the Island until 11:00 a.m. on Day # 2? What if severe storms (with gale force winds)--delay your ferry all day on Day # 1 --or if the storms continue and delay your arrival for 2-3 days?

How will these delays impact your itinerary? What is your "Plan B" (or Plan C, Plan D, and/or Plan E)--if there are delays in your arrival?

Will a few hour delay in arrival completely erase your ability to reach your planned Night # 1 campground? Will an arrival delay (of an entire day) destroy your ability to reach your pick up point in time to meet your return transportation? (Would that transportation delay mean that you would now have to cancel your whole trip--because you can no longer reach your pick-up point on time?)  Would a transportation delay mean that you now had to hike at a torturous pace--and cover horrendous daily distances--in order to reach your return transportation on time?)

Whether you are hiking or paddling, it is important to have flexibility built into BOTH your schedule and your route. Ideally, I try to have one (or two) "extra" days in my schedule where nothing is planned. That way, if my arrival is delayed by a day (or if weather, injuries, or illness delay my pace on the Island) I have a bit of a cushion already built into the schedule to accomodate that delay. I also try to plan my route in such a way that I can either reduce--or expand--my route--depending upon what is happening. 

Example:  If I am hiking across the Island, my PLAN may be to leave the Greenstone Ridge Trail at various points and visit places like McCargoe Cove, Malone Bay, or Chippewa Harbor overnight. HOWEVER, if I am behind "schedule"--I can always eliminate one (or all) of those detours from the itinerary and get on a direct route to my final destination. Conversely, if I am significantly ahead of "schedule", I can add another overnight destination to my itinerary or I can stay an extra night at some campground.

I also try to plan only a "short" distance of hiking or paddling on Day # 1 (or I plan for no hiking or paddling on Day # 1) --in case I am delayed in my arrival on the Island by a few hours.  Also, if I arrive on the Island early or on time, I can always hike farther than originally planned.  Having flexibility in your schedule and flexibility in your route are both very important.

SPECIAL NOTE:  If you are delayed ON THE MAINLAND for one overnight (or two overnights)  waiting to travel to Isle Royale--where will you stay?  Do you have enough money for a hotel room if one is available? What if all hotel rooms in the area are booked? What will be your plan? Do you have camping gear with you--in the event that you wanted/needed to stay at a campground on the mainland in the event of a delay? Are you prepared to travel a long distance to find an available motel room?

What If Your Return Transportation Is Delayed?

I have been delayed in leaving the Island a few times as part of my own Isle Royale adventures. (I have also witnessed other people deal with departure delays).  Some of the most difficult things to see are people who DID NOT plan for a possible delay in their return to the mainland. It is difficult witnessing how their lack of a plan created significant problems. Some people did not have enough food or fuel for an extra day or two. Occasionally, someone will have a boss who may fire them if they are late in getting back to work.  I once saw a FATHER OF THE BRIDE (and his son who was part of the wedding party) stranded on the Island--and the wedding was scheduled for the next day (and their return transportation was delayed overnight). I once witnessed an adult grandson who was at risk of missing his grandmother's memorial service because of a delay in return transportation. These are very unfortunate (and avoidable) situations.

It is important to not have anything significant planned for at least a day or two after your anticipated return to the mainland.

Some of My Personal Experiences (That May Help You)

1. On the mainland, TRY TO BE REACHABLE BY PHONE during the day or two prior to your trip to the Island. SOMETIMES, a ferry or plane gets POSTPONED OR CANCELLED and they know this in advance. Thus, the transportation company may try to reach you to say your transportation is postponed.  (Also, they may try to reach you to say that your departure time is being moved earlier in order to avoid things like an approaching storm). So, try to be reachable during the day or two prior to your trip. In 2020, the seaplane company called me at close to 8:00 p.m. on the night prior to my planned trip to Isle Royale. They were calling to say that my spot on a flight to the Island (the next day) was being cancelled due to a rare combination of weather and mechanical issues--that had caused a severe backlog of people needing to get to/from the Island. They moved me to a flight roughly 24 hours later. I was already away from home and traveling in the North Country when I received the call.  Thus, this 24 hour flight delay meant that I had to find a place to stay on the night of my originally scheduled flight. I immediately got on the phone and booked a motel room for that night.

2. When you are on the Island, IF POSSIBLE, try to check in with the ranger station (welcome center) as soon as reasonably possible once you get to the place from where you will be leaving the Island. Also, constantly stay alert for any possible changes in the weather and transportation situation.  THERE MAY BE INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSPORTATION DELAYS (OR TRANSPORTATION EARLY DEPARTURES)  BEING POSTED AND/OR SHARED AT THE RANGER STATION (Welcome Center).  In 2021, the Voyager II was going to be leaving Rock Harbor AN HOUR EARLY in order to avoid an approaching storm.  If I had not checked in with the rangers (and simply arrived at the dock at the originally scheduled departure time) I would have missed my boat to the mainland by an hour.

3. Bring extra food and fuel.  I always make sure that I have enough food and/or fuel to last me an additional 1-2 days. DO NOT COUNT ON THE STORES OR RESTAURANT HAVING ENOUGH FOOD.  Remember, you will not be the only person who is "stranded". Multiple people will be using the restaurant and stores as a source of extra food. If departures from the Island are delayed by 2-3 days, the number of "stranded" people (who will also be looking for food and fuel) increases each day. Plus, if there is a big storm, the same boats that can't get you back to the mainland also cannot bring resupply for the stores and restaurant. Thus, come prepared with enough food and fuel to spend an extra day or two on the island.

4. BEING "STRANDED" ON THE ISLAND IS OFTENTIMES NOT FUN.  People will often say that they would  love to be stranded for an extra day or two on Isle Royale. I hate to tell you this, but the extra day or two is oftentimes not particularly "fun".  A) Remember, you weren't expecting the extra day or two. Thus, you will  already be at the pickup point. It's not like you will be out enjoying other places on the Island. B) If the delay is due to bad weather--you are stuck on Isle Royale --IN BAD WEATHER.  It will not be a gorgeous, sunny, day for additional hiking, paddling, or sitting out in the sun. All boat, canoe, and kayak rentals will probably be prohibited due to the bad weather. The sightseeing boat ("The Sandy") probably won't be running in the Rock Harbor area.  C) The rangers may want you to to stay close to the ranger station--in case there is any changing information to share regarding the evolving weather and transportation situation.  Thus, the staff may not want you to be out hiking and exploring.  D) The overcrowding may be at very unpleasant levels.

DON'T FEAR THE DELAYS--SIMPLY BE PREPARED FOR THEM

Delays in arriving at Isle Royale (or delays in departing Isle Royale) are usually pretty manageable--IF YOU HAVE ANTICIPATED THE POSSIBILITY OF DELAYS AND PLANNED APPROPRIATELY. Remember, you are coming to a wilderness island--with limited amenities--in the midst of Lake Superior. Weather (and in rare instances--mechanical issues) can greatly impact --and alter--your transportation situation. If you fail to plan for the possibility of delays--your trip may become very stressful and miserable.  However, if you come to the Island fully-prepared for the possibility of transportation delays, you will likely do just fine.  BE PREPARED!

A LATER EDIT REGARDING "The Lodge & Cabins"

After I posted this blog, people asked questions about what happens for accommodations for Lodge  and cabin guests when people are "stranded" on the Island due to delays. So, I sent a question to the Isle Royale staff.  Here is my question and a Ranger's response:

MY QUESTION:
On Facebook, a discussion got started regarding--what happens on those rare occasions when ferries or seaplanes are delayed for a day (or more) due to bad weather--where do the people (who HAD been staying at the Lodge or in cabins) stay overnight --now that their reservations have come to an end? There was an assumption that there would likely be vacancies at the Lodge (because large numbers of new guests would not be arriving --because the boats and planes were not running). However, what happens if there ARE more people needing Lodge rooms than there are Lodge rooms available? (I think it would be fair to say that most Lodge guests would not have brought camping gear with them and would have trouble staying outdoors). Thanks!

RANGER KATIE'S RESPONSE:
Hey Jon,
Great question!

As you all posited, when folks don't come in that generally means there are rooms available. Yet, what about in those cataclysmic instances that the stars align and there are more people who need rooms than are available?

The answer is, we cross those bridges when we come to them.  Isle Royale as an operating environment demands flexibility, which is exactly what we do when weird things happen. Our upmost concern is your safety and the park's, followed by having an enjoyable experience. When these occurrences happen, we address them in this order.

Please let us know if you all have other questions. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Katie Keller

Isle Royale National Park
800 E. Lakeshore Dr.
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 482-0984
isro_parkinfo@nps.gov

SOME PHOTOS FROM ROBERT DUMAS ABOUT ROCK HARBOR DELAYS

Robert Dumas took these photos at the Rock Harbor Welcome Center and Rock Harbor Marina in Summer 2022 (Robert works at the marina).  The signs give you some idea of the type of information that the rangers post at the welcome center in Rock Harbor when there are delays.  Robert also included some pictures of various vessels in the fog at Rock Harbor.  NOTE: The Isle Royale Queen IV had a VERY rare mechanical issue that caused significant cancellations at the end of the 2022 season. Some of these photos pertain to that major event.

CLICK THE PHOTOS TO EXPAND THEM.