OK, the photo is not taken in Minneapolis.

Boundary Waters Advisory Committee volunteers invite you to think about visiting--and being a part of stewarding--Minnesota's gift of the BWCAW. Neighbors and friends and people like you who are reading this posting, are volunteering for a long weekend to transform a fire-damaged wilderness trail into the destination hike it once was.

With your help, hikers will soon have access to the entire Powwow Trail loop, including the fairy land segment in the photo, lined with cedar trees along a remote Boundary Waters lake.

• Distance and difficulty: The route loops the Mississippi East River Parkway with Mississippi West River Parkway. It is just under four miles on mostly paved parkway plus sections of river unpaved paths. We will return to our starting point by 10:30 at the latest.

• Fall is just around the corner. What happens on a Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC) trail clearing trip, how do I get started and why would I want go camping with strangers and use hand tools to restore a wilderness trail? What about gear/clothing/food? What will it cost? Your leader can answer these questions and more.

• Important to know

Dress for the weather. Bring a water bottle for sure and a snack if desired. Novices and experienced hikers and those who just want to walk around the river in Minneapolis are welcome.

I look forward to meeting you. Inquiries to: Susan.Pollock@BoundaryWatersTrails.org or (612) 644-4562. If you can't make the hike, call me anyway to learn about rewarding volunteer opportunities with our non-profit, The Boundary Waters Advisory Committee. Thank you.