Wild Archipelago © MIKEWANG er plant. the carnivorouspitch- Floating bogssupport exposed shoreline. Explore rugged, © TOMBEAN ROYAL BEGINNINGS ABOVE THESHORELINE parallel ridges and valleys. from the region around 11,000years ago, it left apattern of the harder basalt layers. As the last major glacier retreated theof ice cut deep gouges into the softer rock inbetween the last three million years. The crushing, dragging action Huge, miles-thick ice sheets advanced and retreated during ers, tilting them upward (see illustration atright). massive geologic forces cracked and shifted the basalt lay- millions years, of creating agiant layer cake rock. of Later, This cycle repeated more than four hundred timesover released lava, which hardened into aslab basalt of rock. One billion years ago, Earth’s crust rippedopen here and Notice how the forest composition shaded, lichen-covered drops. gentle, sun-warmed slopes to steep, and uplands to swamps and lakes; Resulting habitats range from ridges and scoured the northeastern end. the main island’s southwestern end life developed. It leftglacial till on create the conditions setof inwhich treated across the region, it helped As the last continental ice sheet re- changes asyou climb from Greenstone Ridge. The bore- the shoreline toward the found inLake Superior. ant sponges, and species fish of not lakes are home to native mussels, gi- floating bogs. Long-isolated inland tivity. Carnivorous plants abound in narrow valleys hum with beaver ac- Wetlands nestled inIsle Royale’s thrive. which prefer warmer conditions, such assugar maple and red oak, inland, temperatures rise,and trees ous forest. As you continue to move paper birch gives way to adecidu- al forest spruce, of balsam fir, and of Ear of cier’s melting ice. Meltwater filled the basin, creating one A deep basin surrounding the rock layers trapped the gla- lake’s deep, icy water, life took hold. Despite the islands’ isolation from the mainland by the rise from Lake Superior form the Isle Royale archipelago. edges somelayers. of These “shards the of continent” that th’s largest lakes and immersing all but the upper © VIRENS slopes. cover someupland Sugar maplesdensely © RAYMOND T. DUMAS dangle beardlike from trees. grow onexposedbedrock and More than600typesoflichen, NPS windthrow. opened upbyfire or trees tocolonizeareas newly Paper birch isamongthefirst basalt layers. basalt layers. formed bytilted valley topography, Royale’s ridgeand Cross-section ofIsle Harbor ranger stations. Customs at Windigo and Rock to t from Canada and Canadian visitors CUSTOMS website for more information. from Houghton, the MI.See park isavailableMN. Seaplane service Houghton, MI,and Grand Portage, available from CopperHarbor and required. Passenger is ship service plane only. Reservations are always GETTING HERE transpo April 16through October. Public he park are required to clear US rtation isby boat or sea-

US citizens returning © NORTH SHORECOMMERCIALFISHINGMUSEUM

A giantlaketrout from The park isopen oxygen-rich waters. Lake Superior’s icy, Lake Superior RIDGE and exercise caution to prevent ac- The park isremote. Plan carefully grounds, docks, and anchorages. for all overnight stays at park camp- experience. •Permits are required where you find them for others to covery, but leave all park resources your food. •Enjoy the thrill dis- of distance. Keep wildlife wild; secure wildlife from asafe and respectful devices on trails. •Observe park wheelchairs), bicycles, or portaging aries. •No wheeled vehicles (ex NESS PRESERVE YOURISLANDWILDER- FOR YOURSAFETYANDTO

No petswithin park bound- VALLEY cept Superior waters. Michigan license for all Lake FISHING filtering or boiling. not from aspigot must betreated by navigate. •Stay hydrated. All water shoals and reefs are hazardous to appropriate lake charts. Many predictable. •Boatersshould carry waters are dangerously cold and un- cidents or injuries. •Lake Superior © USFISHANDWILDLIFE weigh uptotenpounds. Coaster brook trout can includes over 60species. Isle Royale’s diverse fishery––which water currents and contribute to waterof temperatures. These affect water depths result inawide range continues uninterrupted. Varying topography that defines life on land underwater, and the ridge and valley Isleof Royale’s 850square miles is into Lake Superior. Over 75percent miles from the archipelago’s edges The park’s boundary stretches 4.5 and str required for inland lakes, ponds, eams, but you must have a

A fishing license isnot isagroup orchain An archipelago more than400 is made up of ismadeupof National Park small islands. Hauling acanoeashore (right). Isle Royale Isle Royale of islands. of islands. UNDER THEWATER MINNESOTA HISTORICALSOCIETY website for current em check the park websi numbers. EMERGENCIES contact the park prior to your visit. accessible to all. For information our facilities, and pr services, ACCESSIBILITY FIREARMS native to these waters. challenge the survival organisms of too—animals, plants, diseases— Royale fishery. Other invasives threaten the diversity the of Isle Non-native species like sealamprey dotted these shores. family-owned fisheries also once mercial fishing posts in1837.Small Company fished here before the American Fur Generations North of Shore Ojibwe Jo www.nationalparks.org in t Park, but around the globe. only inIsle Royale National depends upon our actions, not The protection native of species he par Blake Pointat arrived and setupcom- viewed from eastern end, eastern k

Isle Royale’s For firearms regulations co mmunity. © E.NEILHARRI

the air. Check the park We strive to make te. ergency ograms ✩ Printed on recycled p recycled on Printed www.nps.go in America’s communities, visit National Park programs Service more about national parks and System. Park National one over of 400parks inthe Isle Royale National Park is www.nps.go 906-482-0984 Houghton, MI49931 800 E.Lakeshore Dr. Isle Royale National Park MORE INFORMATION LUONG QT Islands uponislandsonthehorizon. GPO:20xx—xxx-xxx/xxxxx R © CARLTERHAAR lake’s crystal-clearwater. topography through the See ridgeandvalley

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aper. v. v/isro eprint 20xx To learn