Backpack across Isle Royale

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Isle Royale is one of the country’s lesser-known national parks. The Michigan island sits in Lake Superior, off the coast of Ontario. To get to it, most people take a ferry from Copper Harbor or Houghton, Mich., or Grand Portage, Minn. There are no roads on the island, so hiking and kayaking are how you get around. The Northwest Passage is offering a backpacking trip across the park Aug. 11-18. Though you don’t have to be an experienced backpacker to do this trip, you do need to be able to carry a 30-pound backpack while hiking six to 10 miles a day over what sometimes can be challenging terrain. This also involves primitive camping, so you’ll be sleeping in tents at campsites that may or may not have outhouses, and all water needs to be purified. On the plus side, you’re likely to view a variety of wildlife, including moose, fox, beaver, mink and more. Sadly, Isle Royale’s once-famous wolves have died off. Cost for the eight-day/seven-night trip is $1,395 per person, double occupancy. Singles will be matched up with a participant of the same sex. If the trip gets sold out, it’s also possible to arrange custom trips through The Northwest Passage. Info: 800-732-7328,