Isle Royale National Park Trip - One Vacancy for VA Backpacking

This notice is for the Virginia Backpacking Group: I'm leading a seven night Isle Royale National Park hike in September for the Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club.  I have a six person limit, and one of my six just dropped.  So I can add one more to the current group (three women, two men).  If you are interested, leave a comment to this post with your email address (or contact me on the Virginia Backpacking Meetup Site through Brian).  We are beginning to make our reservations now, so don't delay.

Here are some details:

IRNP is the least visited national park in the Lower 48.  It is a large (45 mile long) island in northern Lake Superior.  There is abundant wildlife, and seeing moose will be almost certain.  That time of year, there won't be biting flies and there could be some fall color.  Weather will likely be cool and uncertain.  We will be hiking for 8 days and 7 nights, and averaging about 7 - 11 miles each day.  Everyone will have to carry their gear and 7 days of food.  We will try to camp at a different place every night, but will have the option of staying over if we particularly like a spot.  We will have plenty of time to relax, observe wildlife, study nature, paint, draw, fish - whatever you enjoy.  It is a spectacular place, and if it's not on your bucket list as a hiker, it should be!

Travel: We will take the ferry from Copper Harbor, Michigan to IRNP on 9/14 and take the ferry back to Copper Harbor the afternoon of 9/21.  Plan on flying (or driving) for arrival 9/13 and departure 9/22.  I've reserved a cabin for the women and a chalet for the men the nights of 9/13 and 9/21, and have reserved a shuttle from Houghton where the airport is to Copper Harbor for the afternoon of 9/13 and a return shuttle for the morning of 9/22.

Costs: airfare is about $450 - $600 round trip including checking a bag.  The shuttle cost is $90 each way, plus tip, split evenly among the riders.  The cabin for the women is $136 for each of the two nights, the chalet for the men is $120 for each of the two nights.  These costs will be shared evenly by the people staying in each.  Plus, there is an optional $10 charge per person for sheets and towels.

Plan on money for a couple dinners and breakfasts.

The round trip ferry cost is $126.