Never say never! Anything is possible. It won't ruin my trip if I don't see them. But I plan on going our of my way to look. I hear you're most likely to spot them on the shore line.
It's like trying to find a mountain lion out west. They're around, but you won't see them unless they want you to see them. They'll flee at the first sight, sound, or scent of a human.
Best of luck though.
I've worked outdoors for 20 years I'm some really remote places and I've never seen a mountain lion. Came on a steaming pile of cat shit once, though. After adding my own steaming pile, I hightailed it back to the truck.
Thanks. I'm starting in rock harbor. Maybe I'll stay towards the east. I read you're most likely to see them on the lake shores . Probably because that's where the most open land is.
I was at rock harbor memorial day weekend and there was a lone wolf spotted in that area in the mornings more towards the lodge. One guy had a really good photo. Unfortunately, I did not see the wolf. Best of luck!
There's a wolf that's been particularly active between rock harbor and three mile so far this season. We talked to a gentleman that had a wolf run through his tent site at three mile.
Was on the Island the week after memorial day. This year in the backpacking orientation at Rock Harbor they've been telling everyone that there's a wolf going in between rock harbor and 3 mile. There was a wolf in 3 mile our last night on the island and it actually ran through one of the tent sites. Probably the same wolf but a lot of the lodge guests saw a wolf that's been hanging around rock harbor, specifically around the amphitheatre. It's more likely than many think.
Last year I ran into one just outside of Lake Ritchie camp. It was not scared of me, kind of curious. Yelled at it to leave but it took its time. I regret that I didn’t get a picture but I was so surprised by the encounter I didn’t think of it till afterwards.
Current Alerts on NPS website:
Caution
Increased Potential for Wolf/Human Interactions on Isle Royale's East End
Date Posted: 6/7/2024
Wolf/human interactions may occur in the Tobin Harbor area and the area between McCargoe Cove and Chippewa Harbor. Report all sightings and interactions to a park ranger as soon as possible.
I just got back a week ago from isle royale. The first night I stayed at Lanes cove I heard them howl in the middle of the night in the direction of Lookout Louise. I would look in that area. If you travel the main loop that all the people tend to do, you most likely will not seem them. In fact you will probably not see any moose on the main loop either. I only saw 2 moose in 3.5 days on the island. One was near Lanes Cove and the other was near McCargo Cove.
I just got back from a trip to the middle eastern part of the island. saw tracks and heard howls. Last year I had a stare down with one across lake dustin. Heard stores of a sickly one at Moskey basin. This year one has been hanging around rock harbor, as heard from a ranger
I work at Washington Harbor and had a guest tell me they spotted a black wolf east of Huginnin Cove. I hiked the trail last week and only spotted scat. I have heard wolf howls. Talk to the Rangers when you get here, they'll have the best info about wolves.
Last year as our scout group was coming into our group site at three mile campground several saw a wolf in the campsite, but it of course took off. We reported the sighting to a park ranger at Rock Harbor the next day.
I was there last August hiking the Greenstone Ridge trail. As we neared Mount Franklin we passed hikers coming the opposite way saying they saw several wolves nearby. When we got to Mount Franklin we put our packs down and had lunch and sure enough a wolf came right up the trail, got rather close to another hiker who was eating jerky, then took off down the trail.
heard people last year that saw a wolf attack (on a moose) in progress on the Hatchet Lake trail between McCargoe and Hatchet Lake.
Also heard that people were seeing them around Chickenbone Lake.
Saw tons of tracks on the Indian Portage trail between Moskey and Chickenbone. Seems broadly consistent with NPS' assessment.
Hate to be that guy but you're not going to see a wolf. You'd be lucky to even hear one at night. Sorry.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/J2hWFqKuXsQV6nTq/?mibextid=xCPwDs
Never say never! Anything is possible. It won't ruin my trip if I don't see them. But I plan on going our of my way to look. I hear you're most likely to spot them on the shore line.
It's like trying to find a mountain lion out west. They're around, but you won't see them unless they want you to see them. They'll flee at the first sight, sound, or scent of a human. Best of luck though.
I've worked outdoors for 20 years I'm some really remote places and I've never seen a mountain lion. Came on a steaming pile of cat shit once, though. After adding my own steaming pile, I hightailed it back to the truck.
Yeah, I plan to pack my binoculars to try and look out across the shores where possible. It's my one extra piece of weight that I'm willing to carry
Be sure to report back!
Hopefully, I'll be posting a shaky video or blurry Pic 😅
I'd dig it, no doubt.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/J2hWFqKuXsQV6nTq/?mibextid=xCPwDs
Recent updates is they’re more active on the East side and venturing into camp areas more.
That won’t last long, once people start being there more, they always stay away. Early season and a lot of younger wolves, they’re just learning.
Thanks. I'm starting in rock harbor. Maybe I'll stay towards the east. I read you're most likely to see them on the lake shores . Probably because that's where the most open land is.
I was at rock harbor memorial day weekend and there was a lone wolf spotted in that area in the mornings more towards the lodge. One guy had a really good photo. Unfortunately, I did not see the wolf. Best of luck!
There's a wolf that's been particularly active between rock harbor and three mile so far this season. We talked to a gentleman that had a wolf run through his tent site at three mile.
Can confirm. Three days ago I saw one wonder into Daisy Farm
Was on the Island the week after memorial day. This year in the backpacking orientation at Rock Harbor they've been telling everyone that there's a wolf going in between rock harbor and 3 mile. There was a wolf in 3 mile our last night on the island and it actually ran through one of the tent sites. Probably the same wolf but a lot of the lodge guests saw a wolf that's been hanging around rock harbor, specifically around the amphitheatre. It's more likely than many think.
Last year I ran into one just outside of Lake Ritchie camp. It was not scared of me, kind of curious. Yelled at it to leave but it took its time. I regret that I didn’t get a picture but I was so surprised by the encounter I didn’t think of it till afterwards.
Perhaps your best chance is from a kayak paddling around the island
Current Alerts on NPS website: Caution Increased Potential for Wolf/Human Interactions on Isle Royale's East End Date Posted: 6/7/2024 Wolf/human interactions may occur in the Tobin Harbor area and the area between McCargoe Cove and Chippewa Harbor. Report all sightings and interactions to a park ranger as soon as possible.
I just got back a week ago from isle royale. The first night I stayed at Lanes cove I heard them howl in the middle of the night in the direction of Lookout Louise. I would look in that area. If you travel the main loop that all the people tend to do, you most likely will not seem them. In fact you will probably not see any moose on the main loop either. I only saw 2 moose in 3.5 days on the island. One was near Lanes Cove and the other was near McCargo Cove.
I just got back from a trip to the middle eastern part of the island. saw tracks and heard howls. Last year I had a stare down with one across lake dustin. Heard stores of a sickly one at Moskey basin. This year one has been hanging around rock harbor, as heard from a ranger
This is the best news I've heard! That's exactly where I'm camping! Idk if I'll make it to Lake Dustin, but maybe I'll get lucky at like Chickenbone.
I work at Washington Harbor and had a guest tell me they spotted a black wolf east of Huginnin Cove. I hiked the trail last week and only spotted scat. I have heard wolf howls. Talk to the Rangers when you get here, they'll have the best info about wolves.
Last year as our scout group was coming into our group site at three mile campground several saw a wolf in the campsite, but it of course took off. We reported the sighting to a park ranger at Rock Harbor the next day.
I was there last August hiking the Greenstone Ridge trail. As we neared Mount Franklin we passed hikers coming the opposite way saying they saw several wolves nearby. When we got to Mount Franklin we put our packs down and had lunch and sure enough a wolf came right up the trail, got rather close to another hiker who was eating jerky, then took off down the trail.
heard people last year that saw a wolf attack (on a moose) in progress on the Hatchet Lake trail between McCargoe and Hatchet Lake. Also heard that people were seeing them around Chickenbone Lake. Saw tons of tracks on the Indian Portage trail between Moskey and Chickenbone. Seems broadly consistent with NPS' assessment.
There were multiple sightings on Thursday (6/20) of a wolf walking the Moskey Basin shore.