About oligoclase.info
Great Lakes route planning and guided travel operations since 2015
oligoclase.info is a travel planning company focused on the Great Lakes region of the United States and adjacent Canadian waterways. The company was founded in 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has since documented 42 driving and walking routes that connect waterfront cities, shoreline areas, nature preserves, and historic towns. Operations cover eight U.S. states—Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York—plus Ontario, Canada. A small Milwaukee team maintains the route notes, with seasonal field work on the lakes. In 2023, oligoclase.info supported 1,240 travelers across 186 scheduled departures.
Company Background
oligoclase.info was established in March 2015 by two field researchers and a cartographer. The initial office was located in Milwaukee's Third Ward. Field notes for the western lake are also collected in Duluth, Minnesota. The company incorporated as a limited liability company in Wisconsin in 2016. A small year-round team is supplemented by seasonal field researchers. Annual revenue in 2023 was reported at $1.8 million. The company has never operated outside the Great Lakes basin.
Geographic Coverage
Routes developed by oligoclase.info cover all five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. The U.S. shoreline mileage included in the route network totals approximately 4,800 miles. Major waterfront cities in the network include Duluth, Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, Buffalo, and Rochester. The company also maintains route segments through smaller ports such as Two Harbors, Charlevoix, Alpena, and Oswego. Canadian stops are limited to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. No routes extend beyond the Great Lakes drainage basin.
Route Development
Each route is developed through a 4-stage process: desktop research, field verification, safety review, and annual update. Desktop research uses topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey and park data from the National Park Service. Field verification requires at least two staff members to drive or walk the entire route. Safety review checks cell coverage, emergency access points, and seasonal road closures. Routes are updated every 18 months. The company currently maintains 42 active routes, with an average length of 3 to 9 days. Route documentation includes daily mileage, elevation gain, and fuel stops.
Traveler Profile
The typical oligoclase.info customer is a U.S. resident between 35 and 70 years old, traveling as a couple or in a small group of 4 to 8 people. About 62% of travelers come from the Midwest, 21% from the Northeast, and 17% from other U.S. regions. Average trip length is 5.4 days. Repeat customer rate was 27% in 2023. Travelers are required to complete a health and mobility form before departure. Prior camping experience is not required for guided hotel-based routes. Approximately 15% of bookings are for self-guided route packs only.
Operating Season
oligoclase.info operates guided routes from May 15 through October 10 each year. Peak season is July 1 through August 20. Self-guided route packs are available year-round, but the company recommends June through September for most shoreline and island segments. Winter route planning is limited to 6 urban waterfront itineraries that do not require ferry access. Average daily temperature during peak season ranges from 65°F to 78°F. Lake-effect rain occurs on 8 to 12 days per month in some areas. All guided departures include a weather contingency plan.
Services and Route Products
Guided trips, self-guided materials, and regional information
oligoclase.info provides three main categories of route products: guided multi-day trips, self-guided route packs, and single-city waterfront itineraries. Guided trips include transportation, lodging, and a field guide. Self-guided packs include digital maps, reservation templates, and point-of-interest lists. Single-city itineraries are half-day or full-day walking or driving plans. The company does not operate its own hotels, ferries, or restaurants; it contracts with local providers. All route products are designed for independent travelers who prefer structured information over group touring. The company publishes route difficulty ratings from 1 (easy) to 5 (strenuous).
Guided Multi-Day Routes
Guided multi-day routes range from 3 to 9 days and cover 150 to 520 total miles. Group size is limited to 12 travelers per departure. Transportation is provided in 14-passenger vans or 24-passenger mini-buses. Lodging is in 2-star to 3-star hotels, with double occupancy as standard. A typical day includes 4 to 7 hours of driving or walking, with 2 to 3 stops at waterfront cities or nature areas. Meals are not included except for 2 group dinners on routes longer than 5 days. The guided rate ranges from $1,450 to $3,800 per person, depending on route length and season. Guide-to-traveler ratio is 1:6.
Self-Guided Route Packs
Self-guided route packs are digital products delivered as PDF and GPX files. Each pack covers a single route of 3 to 7 days and includes daily driving directions, public boat launch locations, trailhead coordinates, and a list of 15 to 30 verified points of interest. Reservation templates are provided for campsites, motels, and ferry crossings. The packs do not include physical maps or GPS devices. Prices range from $35 to $75 per pack. Updates are free for 12 months after purchase. The company reports that 84% of self-guided customers complete their planned route without requesting additional support.
Waterfront City Stops
Waterfront city stops are half-day or full-day itineraries in 14 Great Lakes port cities. Each stop includes a 2- to 4-mile walking route, public transit options, and a list of accessible restrooms and parking areas. Cities currently covered include Duluth, Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, Buffalo, and Rochester. The itineraries highlight maritime museums, historic districts, and public piers. Average time spent per city stop is 4.5 hours. These itineraries are available as standalone products for $12 each or bundled with multi-day route packs at no additional cost.
Nature and Shoreline Access
Nature and shoreline access information is included in all route products. The company documents 28 state parks, 6 national lakeshores or parks, and 11 designated scenic byways. Examples include Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and the North Shore Scenic Drive. Each route specifies trail difficulty, average hiking distance, and seasonal closures. Permits are required for 4 of the 28 state parks and for Isle Royale National Park. The company provides permit application deadlines and fees in the route documentation. Shoreline access points are verified annually for erosion or construction closures.
Historic Town Visits
Historic town visits are built into 31 of the 42 active routes. Documented towns include Mackinac Island, Michigan; Bayfield, Wisconsin; Frankenmuth, Michigan; Put-in-Bay, Ohio; and Lewiston, New York. Each town entry lists 3 to 8 historic sites, local museums, and guided walking tour schedules. The company verifies opening hours and admission fees every 6 months. Average time allocated per historic town is 2.5 hours. Routes do not include guided tours inside historic buildings; those must be arranged directly with local operators. The company provides contact information for 46 local historical societies.
Operations and Policies
Planning, staffing, equipment, and booking terms
This section describes how oligoclase.info organizes its route planning, guide staffing, vehicle fleet, pricing structure, and booking policies. The company operates with a seasonal model: core planning staff work year-round, while field guides are hired on 6-month contracts from May through October. All operational decisions are documented in an internal manual updated each January. The company carries $2 million in general liability insurance and requires guides on staffed departures to hold current outdoor first-aid training. Customer feedback is collected after every guided departure, with a 2023 response rate of 71% and an average rating of 4.3 out of 5.
Route Planning Process
The route planning process follows five steps: proposal, research, field scout, safety audit, and publication. Proposals come from staff, customer requests, or partner recommendations. Research takes 20 to 40 hours per route. Field scouting requires a 2-person team to travel the route over 4 to 7 days. Safety audits check for emergency vehicle access, cell signal gaps, and seasonal hazards. Publication occurs only after two consecutive successful field scouts. The company rejects approximately 35% of proposed routes during research or field scouting. Average time from proposal to publication is 7 months.
Guide Qualifications
Field guides at oligoclase.info must meet four requirements: current outdoor first-aid training, valid driver's license with clean record, 2 years of outdoor leadership experience, and completion of the company's 40-hour Great Lakes regional training. The 2024 guide team includes 9 individuals with an average of 6.8 years of professional guiding experience. Five guides hold bachelor's degrees in environmental science, recreation management, or history. Two guides are certified by the American Canoe Association. Guides are paid a daily rate of $220 to $280 plus lodging and meals on multi-day trips. Background checks are conducted annually.
Fleet and Transportation
oligoclase.info operates a fleet of 4 vehicles: two 14-passenger Ford Transit vans, one 24-passenger mini-bus, and one 7-passenger SUV for scouting. All vehicles are model year 2021 or newer. Average fleet age is 2.3 years. Vehicles are equipped with first aid kits, tire chains, and satellite messengers. The company does not own boats or ferries; water crossings are arranged through third-party operators such as the Mackinac Island Ferry Company and the Apostle Islands Cruise Service. Annual vehicle maintenance costs averaged $9,400 per vehicle in 2023. Mileage per guided departure ranges from 420 to 1,100 miles.
Pricing and Inclusions
Guided multi-day route prices range from $1,450 to $3,800 per person. This includes transportation during the route, lodging in double-occupancy rooms, a field guide, and all route materials. It does not include airfare, most meals, ferry tickets, park entrance fees, or personal expenses. Self-guided route packs cost $35 to $75. Waterfront city itineraries cost $12 each. A 15% deposit is required at booking, with the balance due 45 days before departure. Solo travelers who request a single room pay a supplement of $450 to $900 per trip. Group discounts of 10% apply for parties of 6 or more.
Booking and Cancellation
Bookings are accepted online through the company website or by phone during business hours. The company recommends booking 60 to 90 days in advance for peak-season departures. Cancellations made more than 45 days before departure receive a full refund minus a $75 processing fee. Cancellations between 45 and 15 days receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 14 days receive no refund. Date changes are allowed once per booking for a $50 fee, subject to availability. The company cancels less than 2% of scheduled departures due to weather or low enrollment. Full terms are available on the contact page or in the footer.