MAPS, GPS SYSTEMS, AND COMPASSES
Good navigation (either on land or water) is extremely important when you're in the Isle Royale backcountry. In my opinion, far too many people do not take the topic of navigation very seriously. They possess few--or no--map and compass skills. Some people come to Isle Royale and venture into the backcountry with NO map (or with just a very basic paper map from a brochure or from the Park newspaper --both of which can disintegrate when they get wet). Some people bring a "stand alone" GPS device to Isle Royale --or they have a GPS app on their phone--but they carry no "real" hard copy map and compass as a backup plan. This "carefree" approach to navigation is perfectly fine -----until problems DO arise. Then, having good navigation skills and good navigation gear becomes very important.
A Story That Illustrates This Point (Skip This If You're Not Interested)
Approximately 13 or 14 years ago, for 2-3 days in a row, I kept running into this same guy on the Isle Royale trails (or in the same campgrounds as me). He had some fairly fancy and high-priced gear of all kinds. At the time, GPS units were not common--but he had a very good one. He repeatedly boasted how he had backpacked on a few different continents. He continually bragged about his expensive, state-of-the-art, gear. He somewhat mocked me for my very basic gear (some of it homemade)--and for my total lack of electronic gear. After 2-3 days of hiking the same general route, our paths split--and I didn't see him again for a few days. (We were both doing long trips and we were both covering much of the Island in our hikes).
Then, one morning, I ran into him again. The previous night, I had slept comfortably in a shelter at Windigo. That morning, I was in the beginning hours of my journey on the Minong Ridge Trail. Conversely, the other guy had spent the night out on the Minong Ridge Trail (and not even in a campground). His fancy GPS system had gotten wet and had stopped working. "Mr. High Tech Backpacker" (who had supposedly hiked on multiple continents) had brought no map or compass as a backup--and he was totally and absolutely lost. He had apparently become disoriented near some of the infamous beaver dams on the Minong Ridge Trail. Now, he was wandering around--yelling out for "help" every few moments. I yelled out to him--and we found each other.
In the greatest of ironies, he (Mr. High Tech--with the fancy GPS) was now needing ME (Mr. Low Tech --with no electronics and some homemade gear) to help him get pointed in the right direction. I pulled out my map and compass and oriented him as to his current location. I then pointed him in the right direction. Then, he had the audacity to ask me if he could KEEP my water-resistant, full-sized, Isle Royale map. I firmly told him, "No". However, I did hand him a paper brochure that had a rudimentary Isle Royale map in it.
What is the purpose of me sharing this long story? I share it to illustrate that not having a map and compass with you on Isle Royale (or not knowing how to properly use them) can be absolutely "fine"-- until such time as something goes wrong. Then, you suddenly have a major navigational problem on your hands--and you better have a map and compass with you--and you better know how to use them.
A Story That Illustrates This Point (Skip This If You're Not Interested)
Approximately 13 or 14 years ago, for 2-3 days in a row, I kept running into this same guy on the Isle Royale trails (or in the same campgrounds as me). He had some fairly fancy and high-priced gear of all kinds. At the time, GPS units were not common--but he had a very good one. He repeatedly boasted how he had backpacked on a few different continents. He continually bragged about his expensive, state-of-the-art, gear. He somewhat mocked me for my very basic gear (some of it homemade)--and for my total lack of electronic gear. After 2-3 days of hiking the same general route, our paths split--and I didn't see him again for a few days. (We were both doing long trips and we were both covering much of the Island in our hikes).
Then, one morning, I ran into him again. The previous night, I had slept comfortably in a shelter at Windigo. That morning, I was in the beginning hours of my journey on the Minong Ridge Trail. Conversely, the other guy had spent the night out on the Minong Ridge Trail (and not even in a campground). His fancy GPS system had gotten wet and had stopped working. "Mr. High Tech Backpacker" (who had supposedly hiked on multiple continents) had brought no map or compass as a backup--and he was totally and absolutely lost. He had apparently become disoriented near some of the infamous beaver dams on the Minong Ridge Trail. Now, he was wandering around--yelling out for "help" every few moments. I yelled out to him--and we found each other.
In the greatest of ironies, he (Mr. High Tech--with the fancy GPS) was now needing ME (Mr. Low Tech --with no electronics and some homemade gear) to help him get pointed in the right direction. I pulled out my map and compass and oriented him as to his current location. I then pointed him in the right direction. Then, he had the audacity to ask me if he could KEEP my water-resistant, full-sized, Isle Royale map. I firmly told him, "No". However, I did hand him a paper brochure that had a rudimentary Isle Royale map in it.
What is the purpose of me sharing this long story? I share it to illustrate that not having a map and compass with you on Isle Royale (or not knowing how to properly use them) can be absolutely "fine"-- until such time as something goes wrong. Then, you suddenly have a major navigational problem on your hands--and you better have a map and compass with you--and you better know how to use them.
SOME ISLE ROYALE MAPS
My favorite Isle Royale map is the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map. You can get the map from Amazon...but I prefer to buy the map from the Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association--(Click the link). I tend to buy maps from them, because a portion of the sale goes back to help the parks. The Trails Illustrated map is large. One half of the Island is shown on either side of the map. The map is waterproof and tear resistant. It is a topographic map that also shows all of the trails and campgrounds.
I also like this smaller and lighter map--especially when I am doing ultralight backpacking. In many ways--it has more information than the larger map. (Click the Link: 0750 USGS Reduced Size Isle Royale Map)
Here are some links to other maps (click the link)--including some FREE online maps that might help you with your planning until your other maps arrive in the mail.
I also like this smaller and lighter map--especially when I am doing ultralight backpacking. In many ways--it has more information than the larger map. (Click the Link: 0750 USGS Reduced Size Isle Royale Map)
Here are some links to other maps (click the link)--including some FREE online maps that might help you with your planning until your other maps arrive in the mail.
Using GPS on Isle Royale
There are several different ways to obtain and to access Global Positioning Systems (GPS). There are "stand alone" GPS units--that are only a GPS device. There are satellite communication devices that also have a GPS component. There are also apps that you can get for your cellphone. (These cellphone apps are NOT dependent on getting a signal from a cell tower. They use a satellite signal. Thus, they CAN be used on Isle Royale.)
HERE ARE SOME GENERAL LINKS REGARDING GPS AND GPS Devices (Just click on the links)
- How to Choose and Use a GPS (from REI Co-op)
- Top Hiking GPS Devices
- Best Handheld GPS Devices for Hiking
- Some More GPS Device Reviews
HERE ARE SOME LINKS REGARDING GPS CELLPHONE APPS
- The Top Hiking GPS Apps for iPhone and Android
- 15 Best Hiking Apps
- All Trails vs Gaia GPS What's the Best Hiking App?
With all of these devices and apps--be certain to check and see if you have to download and install any maps (particularly the Isle Royale map). Also check if you need to activate the app or device and/or if you need to purchase a subscription. YOU WILL NEED TO DO THIS BEFORE YOU GET TO ISLE ROYALE. (There is essentially no cellphone service or internet that you can use on Isle Royale to do these things).
I personally use the (paid/subscription version) of the Gaia App for Android. I have been satisfied with the Gaia cellphone app. I have downloaded the maps for Isle Royale.
Compasses
Here are some links regarding compasses. (Click the Links)
Using Map & Compass
Here are some links regarding how to use a map and compass: (Click the Links)