Vy T. Z.
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A Hauntingly Beautiful Visit to Isle Royale. But Poor Timing and Unsettling News
We unknowingly chose an unfortunate time to visit Isle Royale National Park. Persistent fog blanketed the island, causing the cancellation of all boat tours and water activities, except for the main ferry service. Even the seaplane, which usually offers a scenic and efficient way to arrive or depart, was repeatedly delayed due to the low visibility.
Despite the weather, we still managed to explore some of the island’s beautiful trails. Hikes like Suzy’s Cave and the Scoville Point Trail offered stunning, if moody, views of the landscape. The rain and haze transformed the scenery into something more mysterious and brooding, an atmosphere that gave the park a haunting kind of charm, though it made certain parts feel more isolated and eerie than serene.
Adding to that sense of unease, we later learned, days after we had already left, that two bodies were discovered at a remote campsite on the very same day we were in the park. The news wasn’t mentioned or made known to any visitors during our stay, which made the discovery all the more unsettling in hindsight.
Overall, Isle Royale remains a unique and rugged destination, but the timing of our trip, coupled with the weather and the tragic news, made for a strange and somber experience. I’d love to return one day under clearer skies and calmer circumstances to truly appreciate all the park has to offer.