Our last morning on the island saw us up at our now usual 6:15am to catch the sunrise. We were off on the trail our earliest yet: 7:30am and passed out of camp just as we heard a few of the other groups waking up.

The parallel valleys and ridges were beautiful to pass through in the early sideways light. I only wish we could have seen another moose this morning.

Grant pushed up the last climb to the top of the ridge at a quick pace. I asked him if he was going for the polka-dotted hill climber jersey (from the Tour de France). We rested for a minute then make the half mile round trip back to Mount Franklin to enjoy the views and solitude.

We descended off the Greenstone Ridge for the last time and made our way to Rock Harbor. We passed a few day hikers looking for moose then took the Tobin Harbor trail. This trail actually clung close to the harbor's shore and we had near constant views across the water. We spotted a few loons in the harbor and rated this trail the best section we'd been on for the continuous views.

Nearing Rock Harbor the trail headed inland just a bit and we heard a plane overhead. We rushed onward and reached the seaplane dock just as the plane was pulling in. After watching the change of passengers, we stayed around to see the takeoff.

Finally, we headed across the narrow strip of land on a paved pathway ("what is this strange surface?") and came into Rock Harbor's ranger station and docks. Grant and I took advantage of the pay showers and enjoyed a lunch of pizza and fries.

We spent a couple hours hanging out on the old America dock, watching the Isle Royale Queen come in, napping or writing postcards. Then we splurged for a pint of ice cream before boarding the ferry back to the mainland. Being the last to board and load our luggage meant we were the first to retrieve our packs and head out of Copper Harbor back home.