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- Aug 23, 2016
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- 93
Have not seen many trips posted here from the Great Lakes so thought I’d contribute this one. My wife, Stacy, and our friend Ken spent a week sea kayaking in the Apostle Islands, Lake Superior in June, 2021. We did a loop through the main archipelago intending to camp two nights at each stop to leave time for hiking or day-paddling. We were windbound one extra day on Rocky Island and the weather forecast for our last day looked bad so we paddled out a day early. Our route is shown below.
The area is called a National Lakeshore and is administered by the National Park Service. Camping is by reservation only. There are established campsites on most islands and dispersed camping is allowed for a limited number of parties on each island as well. Campsites include bear boxes and fire rings and some include picnic tables. For this trip we stayed in established campsites. Some of the islands have hiking trails but not all are regularly maintained.
![1625237072019.jpeg 1625237072019.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99628-386d582bdb94b694c6558a263cf2a57e.jpg)
Day 1
We put in at Red Cliff, WI, which is the administrative center of the Red Cliff Indian Reservation. For a small fee the local hotel/casino/marina allows kayak launching and parking.
![1625232914332.jpeg 1625232914332.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99580-ab442f92611fe278472faa74626cde0b.jpg)
It was a little rough at first but smoothed out later.
![1625232992027.jpeg 1625232992027.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99583-a354bb68db93d4ff0a5e16839c6dcf37.jpg)
Our first campsite was at Quarry Bay, Stockton Island. We got to camp just in time to set up and have dinner before dark. When the wind died the mosquitoes were a bit thick. The park is popular for sailing and Quarry Bay often has sailboats anchored overnight. The bay is named for a nearby quarry--the sandstone making up the bedrock of the islands was quarried extensively in the late 1800s and used for building stone.
![1625233006647.jpeg 1625233006647.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99584-8658c49c192283e51d922866f2026dc6.jpg)
Day 2
We spent today hiking. Apostle Islands forest is right on the line between temperate and boreal. It includes oak, maple, pine, aspen, birch, arborvitae, fir and spruce.
![1625233110622.jpeg 1625233110622.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99585-793c96cfff4dbd62cfc114c7b8847724.jpg)
Lots of wildflowers in June. Pink ladyslipper, blue bead lily and Canada mayflower here.
![1625233359662.jpeg 1625233359662.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99586-3dd9b77dd0fb5df3420f76156152eaf8.jpg)
The trail goes along the beach at Julien Bay.
![1625234081946.jpeg 1625234081946.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99590-461af882e9847c081fc16a692fb7ef10.jpg)
The southeastern part of Stockton, Presque Isle Point, is made of sand (beach and dune) deposited as the last continental glaciers were retreating. The plant community there is different from the rest of the island.
![1625233889213.jpeg 1625233889213.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99588-4a2d4933053e5c1fdd0e732319f749b7.jpg)
There is a lagoon and large bog behind the beach.
![1625233965126.jpeg 1625233965126.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99589-ce15324edd5fe70830e55fd8d9bd60bd.jpg)
![1625233799541.jpeg 1625233799541.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99587-fb2c20571a18bfe4877a6da4e7474f81.jpg)
Many of the islands have full-time bear populations. We saw bear tracks but no other signs of bears.
![1625234193086.png 1625234193086.png](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99591-a6f8ceb07d5f92f01b5df646ea796881.jpg)
Day 3
Packing up for the paddle to Outer Island.
![1625234234363.jpeg 1625234234363.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99592-ab2bfe580f861968bebbec6193441c25.jpg)
Lake Superior is cold. About 50° where we were paddling. You need to wear a wetsuit or drysuit to survive for any amount of time should you end up in the water. Part of our morning ritual was struggling into neoprene.
![1625234311196.jpeg 1625234311196.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99593-0f113af21554c6bf003a14a110e361d8.jpg)
Rock formations on the northwest side of Stockton Island.
![1625234434806.jpeg 1625234434806.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99594-4b805100dbe1db170aa3180f0dc360dd.jpg)
![1625234514813.jpeg 1625234514813.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99595-57428ef3f49636b88edb3ab0d23a42f6.jpg)
![1625234596605.jpeg 1625234596605.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99596-0bb429f5d12bc6b7e5a9bfe433f76900.jpg)
We stopped on a tiny beach before the long crossing to Outer
![1625234891900.jpeg 1625234891900.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99597-0c1bdfe0fe9e87cdf5f485da3a07e3a1.jpg)
The paddle to Outer Island was incredibly smooth.
![1625235031922.jpeg 1625235031922.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99598-bb2cfb2875486dd0aab9cc5f95fb3ec1.jpg)
The campsite on Outer is on old beach deposits and stabilized sand dunes. This looking south, with Stockton Is. in the distance. Camp is on the embankment to the right.
![1625235125586.jpeg 1625235125586.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99599-56243d9b76b4ac74a2a2b547b87c994c.jpg)
Day 4
There was a trail the length of the island but a big piece of it in the middle has been inundated by beaver dams. We hiked a mile or two and gave up. The forest here has more of a boreal character with lots of fir trees.
![1625235183518.jpeg 1625235183518.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99600-f84f655f0a18d163a0e96051dc438c34.jpg)
Outer Island camp again.
![1625235255445.jpeg 1625235255445.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99601-494f0e46e3cd2890c622d0d0c3e5745f.jpg)
![1625237822738.jpeg 1625237822738.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99629-c18da03c3fdbdd128eb00bac6ddfa74f.jpg)
Day 5
Another smooth day for our paddle to Rocky.
![1625235444539.jpeg 1625235444539.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99605-2835237fdc01de1ae3f21eb78796e2fc.jpg)
Our first stop will be Cat Island, on the horizon.
![1625235396223.jpeg 1625235396223.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99602-c265a26419930f12a93accbdeb111130.jpg)
Smooth days can be incredibly relaxing. Rest stop at Cat Island sand spit.
![1625235511342.jpeg 1625235511342.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99606-aea5b9ec712ab937dfffa67267bd3b74.jpg)
Another beautiful sand spit on Ironwood Island.
![1625235701985.jpeg 1625235701985.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99607-129f4f4b4f9a4a91f6b0384895b92f51.jpg)
![1625235724221.jpeg 1625235724221.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99608-222912f259ca0b5078ff3d62834c0d27.jpg)
Campsite on Rocky Island. Lots of white pine here—they are great for drying gear.
![1625235821602.jpeg 1625235821602.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99610-a32bcaf0fbf87a71b22ca56bbc083ce0.jpg)
Someone made excellent camp furniture from debris washed up by storms.
![1625235842811.jpeg 1625235842811.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99611-d596654c2a04a8af19f8f00ada097207.jpg)
Day 6
Today we did a day-paddle out to Devil’s island. We had pretty strong crosswinds so the crossing was a little nerve-wracking. No photos—I was afraid to let go of my paddle!
![1625236084158.jpeg 1625236084158.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99612-62a609771aa81bd12140792d1b01c290.jpg)
There is a dock and boathouse on Devil’s but both were severely storm-damaged a few years ago and have not been rebuilt. Luckily the dock remnants still create a sheltered area to land kayaks.
![1625236118236.jpeg 1625236118236.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99613-9d3bee5aa02f9ac194602a1589c451eb.jpg)
We hiked the trail to the lighthouse at the north end of the island. Seems to be pretty much boreal forest here. Lots of spruce, fir and birch.
![1625236173294.jpeg 1625236173294.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99614-12f60564a999c0314b2698d79d6db4d5.jpg)
![1625236196107.jpeg 1625236196107.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99615-de75eb75d78f721af2c35eaa63c6890a.jpg)
Housing for lighthouse-keeper. Lights are now fully automated so houses are only occupied sporadically by park service people.
![1625236210316.jpeg 1625236210316.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99616-d93f772daeedd9dcdffb2e4b06922344.jpg)
Great Lakes ore boat on horizon.
![1625236223355.jpeg 1625236223355.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99617-6835edbfd841b32ff4b32a035596eaa2.jpg)
Ripples in nearly one billion year old sandstone.
![1625236236758.jpeg 1625236236758.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99618-9d5f01f79c8709c66a1f537b4406048f.jpg)
After hiking we paddled around the island. The northern and eastern sides were sheltered from the wind. Lots of cliffs and sea caves at the northern end.
![1625236288283.jpeg 1625236288283.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99619-71c0942110daf67768238632e8fcf9f5.jpg)
![1625236299848.jpeg 1625236299848.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99620-4b3b5b00e5d45fe8ad16e4a807d19f60.jpg)
![1625236324408.jpeg 1625236324408.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99621-db3ee9098c0891246920d9dc9ed2b66a.jpg)
![1625236375988.jpeg 1625236375988.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99622-2538d6c03e198f4bf327a3732a710ce4.jpg)
Still a bit rough for the return leg to Rocky but I was able to take some pictures.
![1625236442068.jpeg 1625236442068.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99623-b06c3fd6414543b44fc3fd9d79522c86.jpg)
Day 7
We were supposed to move on to our next camp today but it was too windy. We stayed put on Rocky.
Day 8
Today was beautiful and we headed for Oak Island—the one ahead with the big embankment. Our campsite is around to the right side of the island. The campsite was nothing special and the weather was slated to deteriorate overnight so we paddled out a day early.
![1625236856880.jpeg 1625236856880.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99625-12190adcb58ce34880ed8dee8ea6c6c6.jpg)
Arriving back at the casino.
![1625236975833.jpeg 1625236975833.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99626-3f98d417021d19116a1a477fbcc49481.jpg)
Ken found a cart to haul our gear back the cars. I don’t think it was there for kayakers but it sure was handy!
![1625236994626.jpeg 1625236994626.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99627-961f374a1c6df1c0186a2481b1140ff0.jpg)
The area is called a National Lakeshore and is administered by the National Park Service. Camping is by reservation only. There are established campsites on most islands and dispersed camping is allowed for a limited number of parties on each island as well. Campsites include bear boxes and fire rings and some include picnic tables. For this trip we stayed in established campsites. Some of the islands have hiking trails but not all are regularly maintained.
![1625237072019.jpeg 1625237072019.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99628-386d582bdb94b694c6558a263cf2a57e.jpg)
Day 1
We put in at Red Cliff, WI, which is the administrative center of the Red Cliff Indian Reservation. For a small fee the local hotel/casino/marina allows kayak launching and parking.
![1625232914332.jpeg 1625232914332.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99580-ab442f92611fe278472faa74626cde0b.jpg)
It was a little rough at first but smoothed out later.
![1625232992027.jpeg 1625232992027.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99583-a354bb68db93d4ff0a5e16839c6dcf37.jpg)
Our first campsite was at Quarry Bay, Stockton Island. We got to camp just in time to set up and have dinner before dark. When the wind died the mosquitoes were a bit thick. The park is popular for sailing and Quarry Bay often has sailboats anchored overnight. The bay is named for a nearby quarry--the sandstone making up the bedrock of the islands was quarried extensively in the late 1800s and used for building stone.
![1625233006647.jpeg 1625233006647.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99584-8658c49c192283e51d922866f2026dc6.jpg)
Day 2
We spent today hiking. Apostle Islands forest is right on the line between temperate and boreal. It includes oak, maple, pine, aspen, birch, arborvitae, fir and spruce.
![1625233110622.jpeg 1625233110622.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99585-793c96cfff4dbd62cfc114c7b8847724.jpg)
Lots of wildflowers in June. Pink ladyslipper, blue bead lily and Canada mayflower here.
![1625233359662.jpeg 1625233359662.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99586-3dd9b77dd0fb5df3420f76156152eaf8.jpg)
The trail goes along the beach at Julien Bay.
![1625234081946.jpeg 1625234081946.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99590-461af882e9847c081fc16a692fb7ef10.jpg)
The southeastern part of Stockton, Presque Isle Point, is made of sand (beach and dune) deposited as the last continental glaciers were retreating. The plant community there is different from the rest of the island.
![1625233889213.jpeg 1625233889213.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99588-4a2d4933053e5c1fdd0e732319f749b7.jpg)
There is a lagoon and large bog behind the beach.
![1625233965126.jpeg 1625233965126.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99589-ce15324edd5fe70830e55fd8d9bd60bd.jpg)
![1625233799541.jpeg 1625233799541.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99587-fb2c20571a18bfe4877a6da4e7474f81.jpg)
Many of the islands have full-time bear populations. We saw bear tracks but no other signs of bears.
![1625234193086.png 1625234193086.png](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99591-a6f8ceb07d5f92f01b5df646ea796881.jpg)
Day 3
Packing up for the paddle to Outer Island.
![1625234234363.jpeg 1625234234363.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99592-ab2bfe580f861968bebbec6193441c25.jpg)
Lake Superior is cold. About 50° where we were paddling. You need to wear a wetsuit or drysuit to survive for any amount of time should you end up in the water. Part of our morning ritual was struggling into neoprene.
![1625234311196.jpeg 1625234311196.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99593-0f113af21554c6bf003a14a110e361d8.jpg)
Rock formations on the northwest side of Stockton Island.
![1625234434806.jpeg 1625234434806.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99594-4b805100dbe1db170aa3180f0dc360dd.jpg)
![1625234514813.jpeg 1625234514813.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99595-57428ef3f49636b88edb3ab0d23a42f6.jpg)
![1625234596605.jpeg 1625234596605.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99596-0bb429f5d12bc6b7e5a9bfe433f76900.jpg)
We stopped on a tiny beach before the long crossing to Outer
![1625234891900.jpeg 1625234891900.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99597-0c1bdfe0fe9e87cdf5f485da3a07e3a1.jpg)
The paddle to Outer Island was incredibly smooth.
![1625235031922.jpeg 1625235031922.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99598-bb2cfb2875486dd0aab9cc5f95fb3ec1.jpg)
The campsite on Outer is on old beach deposits and stabilized sand dunes. This looking south, with Stockton Is. in the distance. Camp is on the embankment to the right.
![1625235125586.jpeg 1625235125586.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99599-56243d9b76b4ac74a2a2b547b87c994c.jpg)
Day 4
There was a trail the length of the island but a big piece of it in the middle has been inundated by beaver dams. We hiked a mile or two and gave up. The forest here has more of a boreal character with lots of fir trees.
![1625235183518.jpeg 1625235183518.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99600-f84f655f0a18d163a0e96051dc438c34.jpg)
Outer Island camp again.
![1625235255445.jpeg 1625235255445.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99601-494f0e46e3cd2890c622d0d0c3e5745f.jpg)
![1625237822738.jpeg 1625237822738.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99629-c18da03c3fdbdd128eb00bac6ddfa74f.jpg)
Day 5
Another smooth day for our paddle to Rocky.
![1625235444539.jpeg 1625235444539.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99605-2835237fdc01de1ae3f21eb78796e2fc.jpg)
Our first stop will be Cat Island, on the horizon.
![1625235396223.jpeg 1625235396223.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99602-c265a26419930f12a93accbdeb111130.jpg)
Smooth days can be incredibly relaxing. Rest stop at Cat Island sand spit.
![1625235511342.jpeg 1625235511342.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99606-aea5b9ec712ab937dfffa67267bd3b74.jpg)
Another beautiful sand spit on Ironwood Island.
![1625235701985.jpeg 1625235701985.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99607-129f4f4b4f9a4a91f6b0384895b92f51.jpg)
![1625235724221.jpeg 1625235724221.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99608-222912f259ca0b5078ff3d62834c0d27.jpg)
Campsite on Rocky Island. Lots of white pine here—they are great for drying gear.
![1625235821602.jpeg 1625235821602.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99610-a32bcaf0fbf87a71b22ca56bbc083ce0.jpg)
Someone made excellent camp furniture from debris washed up by storms.
![1625235842811.jpeg 1625235842811.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99611-d596654c2a04a8af19f8f00ada097207.jpg)
Day 6
Today we did a day-paddle out to Devil’s island. We had pretty strong crosswinds so the crossing was a little nerve-wracking. No photos—I was afraid to let go of my paddle!
![1625236084158.jpeg 1625236084158.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99612-62a609771aa81bd12140792d1b01c290.jpg)
There is a dock and boathouse on Devil’s but both were severely storm-damaged a few years ago and have not been rebuilt. Luckily the dock remnants still create a sheltered area to land kayaks.
![1625236118236.jpeg 1625236118236.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99613-9d3bee5aa02f9ac194602a1589c451eb.jpg)
We hiked the trail to the lighthouse at the north end of the island. Seems to be pretty much boreal forest here. Lots of spruce, fir and birch.
![1625236173294.jpeg 1625236173294.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99614-12f60564a999c0314b2698d79d6db4d5.jpg)
![1625236196107.jpeg 1625236196107.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99615-de75eb75d78f721af2c35eaa63c6890a.jpg)
Housing for lighthouse-keeper. Lights are now fully automated so houses are only occupied sporadically by park service people.
![1625236210316.jpeg 1625236210316.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99616-d93f772daeedd9dcdffb2e4b06922344.jpg)
Great Lakes ore boat on horizon.
![1625236223355.jpeg 1625236223355.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99617-6835edbfd841b32ff4b32a035596eaa2.jpg)
Ripples in nearly one billion year old sandstone.
![1625236236758.jpeg 1625236236758.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99618-9d5f01f79c8709c66a1f537b4406048f.jpg)
After hiking we paddled around the island. The northern and eastern sides were sheltered from the wind. Lots of cliffs and sea caves at the northern end.
![1625236288283.jpeg 1625236288283.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99619-71c0942110daf67768238632e8fcf9f5.jpg)
![1625236299848.jpeg 1625236299848.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99620-4b3b5b00e5d45fe8ad16e4a807d19f60.jpg)
![1625236324408.jpeg 1625236324408.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99621-db3ee9098c0891246920d9dc9ed2b66a.jpg)
![1625236375988.jpeg 1625236375988.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99622-2538d6c03e198f4bf327a3732a710ce4.jpg)
Still a bit rough for the return leg to Rocky but I was able to take some pictures.
![1625236442068.jpeg 1625236442068.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99623-b06c3fd6414543b44fc3fd9d79522c86.jpg)
Day 7
We were supposed to move on to our next camp today but it was too windy. We stayed put on Rocky.
Day 8
Today was beautiful and we headed for Oak Island—the one ahead with the big embankment. Our campsite is around to the right side of the island. The campsite was nothing special and the weather was slated to deteriorate overnight so we paddled out a day early.
![1625236856880.jpeg 1625236856880.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99625-12190adcb58ce34880ed8dee8ea6c6c6.jpg)
Arriving back at the casino.
![1625236975833.jpeg 1625236975833.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99626-3f98d417021d19116a1a477fbcc49481.jpg)
Ken found a cart to haul our gear back the cars. I don’t think it was there for kayakers but it sure was handy!
![1625236994626.jpeg 1625236994626.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/99/99627-961f374a1c6df1c0186a2481b1140ff0.jpg)