Slow Hand 2023 To Lake Superior and back

[O C Diver]

So I've been hiking everyday now and been to tired to post.

Ended up spending 4 nights in Tobin Harbor.

Then spent a night in Rock Harbor at the marina. $2 per foot included electric, filling the water tanks, and I believe pumping the holding tank. Got there at 9AM and was able to hike that day as well.

Then moved to Moskey Basin in the morning and was able to hike that day.

Then moved to Chippewa Harbor and was able to hike that day as well.

Then moved to Malone Bay and hiked that day.

Then moved to Siskiwit Bay and hiked today and will hike here again tomorrow.

And now for some pictures:


Lots of garter snakes up here.


Another trip to Mount Franklin and a better picture of Sleeping Giant Provincial park in Canada.


An Ore boat coming back from Thunder Bay, Canada.


What happens when your beaver dam springs a leak.


Time to abandon home before the wolves find the way in.


A better shot of Mr. loon from Slow Hand.


Another gorgeous sunrise from Tobin Harbor.


Preoccupied with breakfast.


Can you have too many Tobin Harbor sunrises?


Ted

 

[O C Diver]

More pictures:

Eagle's nest with parent doing daycare.




More flowers.




Middle Islands Passage lighthouse


Fish tug for sale cheap, that needs a little TLC.




Believe it or not, this is what passes for a trail sometimes.


The trails seem to be edged with flowers.




Ted

 

[BDofMSP]

Ted, I assume that shot of the eagle's nest is on the Stoll Trail? We saw the nest, with the juvenile in there but no parent around at the time. It was unbelievable how close they were to the trail! And that "kid" was MASSIVE. I mean, it's a good thing they're cool with the people walking by, because things would not go well for you if they wanted to be aggressive.

Wondering where you chose to hike out of Chippewa Harbor? That is such a beautiful anchorage, and there's good hikes from there too.

Looking forward to seeing you in Bayfield soon!
BD

 

[O C Diver]

More pictures:

This is just such hard work with unbearable conditions.


An other abandoned copper mine miles from the lake. A boiler, with steam engine to lift everything from a vertical shaft mine.




Hills of poor rock pulled from the mine shafts.




Thimbleberries are ripe when they turn red. Probably a cousin to the raspberry, they are delicious with a slightly tart taste. They and the blueberries are just getting ripe. Had maybe a dozen today, but they'll be ripe everywhere in a couple of weeks.


Ted

 

[O C Diver]

Ted, I assume that shot of the eagle's nest is on the Stoll Trail? We saw the nest, with the juvenile in there but no parent around at the time. It was unbelievable how close they were to the trail! And that "kid" was MASSIVE. I mean, it's a good thing they're cool with the people walking by, because things would not go well for you if they wanted to be aggressive.

Wondering where you chose to hike out of Chippewa Harbor? That is such a beautiful anchorage, and there's good hikes from there too.

Looking forward to seeing you in Bayfield soon!
BD

Yes, the eagle's nest was on the Stoll trail. That area offers some nice hiking for people staying in the rooms and the marina at Rock Harbor. The next morning was partially foggy and a moose wandered through the marina area.

I hiked the trails to Lake Mason and Lake Richie. Was hoping to do the Indian Portage trail, but didn't have enough time. Last year I hiked over to Moskey Basin which was quite nice.

Looking forward to seeing you guys in a week or so.

Ted

 

[HeadedToTexas]

Great photography, Ted. No, I don’t think you have too many sunrises! How are the bugs?

 

[O C Diver]

Great photography, Ted. No, I don’t think you have too many sunrises! How are the bugs?

Overall the bugs haven't been bad considering how little wind there's been. There been a few trails where they were more prevalent, but not hide in your boat bad.

Ted

 

[O C Diver]

Monday was my last day of hiking at Isle Royale. Some more pictures from the park:

Coming of dawn over looking Siskiwit Bay on a still calm morning.




Your tax dollars hard at work. This is an exceptionally nice dock in the middle of nowhere for 2 shelters and 4 tent sites.


I'm told there are birch trees at Isle Royale.


This is a 5' trail. If you're not over 5', you can't see where you're going.


Feldtmann Lookout Tower. Time for lunch and some great views.


This is Rock of Ages lighthouse from 9 miles away. It stands sentinel duty marking the SW corner of the islands. It's construction was considered an engineering feat in its day.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/rock-of-ages-lighthouse.htm







More pics in a moment.

Ted

 

[O C Diver]

Monday pictures:

It's going to be a long walk back to the boat.


The pictures don't do the panoramic views justice.






I know who lives here.




Patients is rewarded.




Ted

 

[O C Diver]

Tuesday I had a choice of whether to go to Windigo, then hike another day or two and then leave, or leave that morning. I had 17 days without a blow day. The weather was going to change Wednesday through possibly Saturday.

Crossing Lake Superior on Tuesday.


I made the right decision.

Ted

 

[HeadedToTexas]

Wow, what a great stretch. Someday...

 

[O C Diver]

Spent 4 days in Houghton recovering, replenishing, and waiting on the weather.

Next stop on Ted's magical mystery tour is the Black River.

Part 1

This picture isn't North up as indicated by the compass symbol, but it fits much better. The satellite picture is from the late fall or early spring which gives the appearance of barren waste land, it's not. If you come here, ignore the charts of the inner harbor, or you will run aground. Come through the entrance; hard to starboard; stay about 50' off the breakwater until 75% of the way to the dock. It hasn't changed in 8 years, but you need to read Active Captain or elsewhere to get the this information. The wood docks are for recreational boats and the concrete new docks are for charter and marine police boat. 30 amp power is available, but they have the new sensitive breakers that won't let you combine 2 for a 50 amp power cable. The dock is owned by USDA Forestry and cost me around $20 per night last year. Apparently they had dock and power problems this spring and haven't gone back to charging people yet.


Sitting near the end of the wooden dock.


Looking at the commercial dock, very nice boat ramp, and park / camp ground in the distance.


From the docks, looking at the pedestrian suspension bridge.


Ted

 

[rslifkin]

but they have the new sensitive breakers that won't let you combine 2 for a 50 amp power cable.

Combining 2x 30A into a 50A 120/240 feed will work with GFCI breakers as long as the 30A plugs are out of phase. If they're in phase, the resulting shared neutral will cause a GFCI trip. So you can do it on some docks with the new breakers, just not all. This particular situation (combined with no 240v loads on board) is the primary reason I've kept my boat as 2 separate 50A/120v feeds instead of switching to the more modern single 50A 120/240 feed.

 

[O C Diver]

Part 2, Going to the Copper Peak.

So if you come to the Black River, it's worth a pilgrimage to the Copper Peak. This is a ski jump, on steroids, with an observation platform 10 stories higher! When you get to the base of the chair lift, you're around 500' above lake level (ALL). The top of the chair lift is 900' ALL. The elevator in the jump takes you to 1,180' ALL. The observation deck is 1,280' ALL! $25 ($20 for us seniors) is the cost to determine if you have Acrophobia.

Clearly visible from 10 miles away on the lake (near the right side).


Hiking up the road to it.


Time to ride the elevator.


The Black River winding down to the lake.


Isle Royale to the North.


The Apostles Islands to the West.


Another River to the North.


Shortcut back down.


While it's the same ride in either direction, I think it's visually easier going up.


If you come by boat, the hike to Copper Peak is about 6 miles from the dock, and a 500' increase in elevation. There is no public transportation or cell service available.

Ted

 

[HeadedToTexas]

Wow! Unusual place for a ski jump set up. Was that for US Ski Team training?

 

[O C Diver]

Part 3, Hiking the Black River.

The Black River is on USDA Forestry land and part of the Ottawa National Forest. The river travels about 30 miles and descends over 1,000' before reaching Lake Superior. From where you enter the trail to tha harbor is around 7 miles. It takes you through a magnificent forest with valleys, tall trees, waterfalls, gorges, and beautiful scenery. Crossing the suspension bridge in the harbor adds another one or two miles along the river, from 150' above.

Here's the map from the harbor to the Copper Peak, then down the trail along the river, and over the suspension bridge to hike the North side. As before, the Map isn't North up to better show the features.


Some pictures from last year and this year:
















Ted

 

[O C Diver]

Combining 2x 30A into a 50A 120/240 feed will work with GFCI breakers as long as the 30A plugs are out of phase. If they're in phase, the resulting shared neutral will cause a GFCI trip. So you can do it on some docks with the new breakers, just not all. This particular situation (combined with no 240v loads on board) is the primary reason I've kept my boat as 2 separate 50A/120v feeds instead of switching to the more modern single 50A 120/240 feed.

I'll take your word for it. I've had several twin 30s now with the new breakers that wouldn't play nicely. Thankfully, I can live with a single 30 feeding both hot legs of my panel.

Ted

 

[O C Diver]

Wow! Unusual place for a ski jump set up. Was that for US Ski Team training?

The history makes an interesting read.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_Peak

Ted

 

[rslifkin]

I'll take your word for it. I've had several twin 30s now with the new breakers that wouldn't play nicely. Thankfully, I can live with a single 30 feeding both hot legs of my panel.

Ted

It's also possible that it's a function of the adapter in use. I know the "smart" adapters will check for proper phasing and generally work fine with GFCI breakers. But it's also quite possible that many of the docks with only 30A power don't have 2 neighboring 30A outlets on different phases.

 

[O C Diver]

It's also possible that it's a function of the adapter in use. I know the "smart" adapters will check for proper phasing and generally work fine with GFCI breakers. But it's also quite possible that many of the docks with only 30A power don't have 2 neighboring 30A outlets on different phases.

My adapter has no electronics as I have no 220 VAC appliances. Usually most twin 30s are on different phases to accommodate the adapters with electronics. It hasn't been enough of an issue, but next time I will check to see if they're on different phases.



Ted

 

[mncruiser]

I found Ted! This picture was my attempt to show both TF burgees in the same pic. There are a few of us up here, but seeing the flag is rare!

 

[Miz Trom]

Ted:


Your photos/commentary are spectacular and informative. Really enjoying your thread.


Thank you,
Mrs. Trombley

 

[O C Diver]

Ted:


Your photos/commentary are spectacular and informative. Really enjoying your thread.


Thank you,
Mrs. Trombley

Hello Mrs. Trombley,

Hope you and Mr. T are doing well. Thank you so much, I'm glad you're enjoying my cruise. Often wonder if people are interested in the things I like to do and post about. Seems like just last week it was April and I was leaving Fort Myers. In a week it will be time to start heading for Sault Ste. Marie, and summer on Lake Superior will be in the rear view mirror.

Oh well, life is still good!

Ted

 

[O C Diver]

I found Ted! This picture was my attempt to show both TF burgees in the same pic. There are a few of us up here, but seeing the flag is rare!

View attachment 141099

Yes you did. Worth almost as much as the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks. It's very nice to meet you and your wonderful family. Hope I haven't taken you away too much from your family's vacation.

Ted

 

[FWT]

"Often wonder if people are interested in the things I like to do and post about."

Following all of it with great interest.

 

[mncruiser]

Yes you did. Worth almost as much as the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks. It's very nice to meet you and your wonderful family. Hope I haven't taken you away too much from your family's vacation.



Ted

Not at all! Looking forward to chatting more this week. We have all been glad to meet you and hang out.

However, we are all disappointed you didn’t post pictures of today’s amazing “road to nowhere” hike on Otter Island!

Hah!

 

[hmason]

Keep it coming Ted. Plan a stop in Stuart!

 

[BDofMSP]

However, we are all disappointed you didn’t post pictures of today’s amazing “road to nowhere” hike on Otter Island!

Wait. There's a hike on Otter?

 

[O C Diver]

Wait. There's a hike on Otter?

Yes, and at the end of the 2 mile trail is an amazing overlook with a beautiful white sand beach and a Tiki bar. It's a nice trail through the woods to the North end of the island. As you're hiking through the middle of a forested island with minimal elevational change, bug repellent is a requirement.

Ted

 

[O C Diver]

Keep it coming Ted. Plan a stop in Stuart!

It will probably be the last week in November. Thanksgiving is early (23rd) this year.

Ted