Isle Royale–Keweenaw Course —
John & Ann Mahan, Instructors
Beginning in 2002, John and Ann have been instructors for lifelong learning courses at Isle Royale and Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. In these week-long courses, the groups experience the world's largest freshwater sea and its island wilderness national park, along with the Keweenaw Peninsula (Isle Royale’s geological mirror-image sibling).
Isle Royale National Park encompasses an archipelago of approximately 400 islands, 99 per cent of which is legally designated wilderness. It is the site of the world's longest running predator/prey study (wolves and moose), and many other scientific inquiries into how the natural world works.
Upcoming Courses: The following dates have been confirmed for 2024 courses:
June 16-22, 2024 — Course Filled
(Contact us with questions or to be put on a Waiting List)
June 30-July 6, 2024 — Spaces Still Available
Reviews from Past Participants Images from Past Courses Course Details and SIGN UP
Isle Royale–Keweenaw Course — begins on Sunday with an orientation session, and a multi-media program about Lake Superior. The next day includes morning lectures followed by a field trip on Michigan's rugged Keweenaw Peninsula, taking in scenic vistas of rock-bound coastlines, sand dunes, waterfalls, a historic fort, and lighthouses — all while learning about the area’s human and natural history.
The June 16-22, 2024 course begins at Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, Michigan, and the June 30-July 6, 2024 course begins at the Holiday Inn Express in Houghton, Michigan — more information.
On Tuesday, we experience Lake Superior's open horizons as we journey to its largest island — 3+ hours from Copper Harbor on the 100-foot long vessel Isle Royale Queen IV, or 6+ hours from Houghton on the National Park Service's 165-foot ship Ranger III.
On Isle Royale, lodging is at Rock Harbor Lodge, with rooms overlooking Lake Superior.
In the following 4 nights and 3 days, boat trips and guided hikes take participants to Rock Harbor Lighthouse, a historic fishery, the wolf-moose research station, offshore islands, a bog (with carnivorous plants), and coastal hikes. Some participants canoe in peaceful Tobin Harbor.
Rest Break at the Tip of Scoville Point
The Mahans give multi-media presentations and talks on geology, island biogeography, flowers and other plants, and human connections with the lake. Other experts also give talks, including researchers from the Isle Royale wolf-moose study.
On Saturday, another Lake Superior open water crossing returns us to Copper Harbor (June 22) or to Houghton (July 6) and the closing of the course.
These are always groups of congenial and adventurous people, and we all have a great time together. We celebrate our shared adventures with images from past courses.
Note: From 2002 to 2019, John and Ann were leaders/instructors for 40 "Isle Royale, Lake Superior, and the Keweenaw Peninsula" Road Scholar (Elderhostel) courses until the courses were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. John and Ann are now offering these lifelong learning courses through Sweetwater Visions. Please contact Sweetwater Visions to be put on a list for updates.