Pictured Rocks and Grand Island September Backpacking Expectations
Hi all,
I'm looking ahead at my schedule for next year and it looks like the best time for me to do the Pictured Rocks and Grand Island combo is in mid September. Curious to hear reports from others who've done the PRNL or Grand Island that time of year. I assume bugs (especially tourists) will be low by then? I'm guessing a fair expectation for weather is mid 60's during the day and potentially mid 40's at night? September is obviously the season of change on Lake Superior and I understand how the Lake can throw anything it wants at you that time of year.
I'm considering my itinerary to be something like 4 nights in the Lakeshore, a night or two in Munising (with a kayak guided tour if the Lake allows) and a night on Grand Island. Has anyone had issues getting reservations for the Backcountry in both the Lakeshore and Grand Island for that time of year? I plan to book those ASAP, which would be 6 months out from the looks of it.
Really curious on some insights on Grand Island. Seems to be a mixed bag on the Internet. But how bad can an island on Lake Superior be? I've heard the western side of the island provides the best views and the eastern island is mainly a long walk in the woods. Hence why it seems 1 night to do the loop seems reasonable. Is it best to do this loop CW or CCW? Or maybe just do an out and back on the West side of that's where the views are?
Thanks!