READ THIS: 👀 Before signing up you must Meetup message Zach or Paul with your phone number and a good time to call. A brief phone check-in is required to make sure the trip is a good match.

Join Zach and Paul on a hike in backcountry trail clearing weekend. We will be hiking ~6-7 miles towards the Pose Lake area, which will be our base camp. We will be working to clear the trail towards South Wilder as well as back towards the Y.

WHY VOLUNTEER?

You will meet other like-minded hikers, share your skills and learn new skills from your crew, and have an unforgettable experience helping restore a fire-damaged legacy trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

ITINERARY

Thursday afternoon we will carpool from the Twin Cities area to BWCAW entry point 86, the Powwow Trail. We will night hike one mile in to a designated campsite and set up camp.

Friday morning we will hike to the Pose Lake area to set up camp for the next couple nights.

Saturday and Sunday will be a full day of clearing new growth, down trees and step overs in the Pose Lake area.

Monday will see us packing out and returning to the Twin Cities, tired but rewarded by the knowledge of leaving an improved trail and experiencing the camaraderie of our unique crew.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Thick brush and tree falls, step-overs and brush during the hike, all weather conditions, very remote area, working with a good group of people, working hard to reopen the Powwow Trail for everyone to enjoy.

Each participant will carry their own pack, shelter, sleep system, food, personal gear and a clearing tool. You should be in good physical shape for full days of travel and working, and have a "can-do" attitude for unknown trail and weather conditions.

Recommended gear list: https://www.boundarywaterstrails.org/gear-list-for-trail-clearing-backpacking-canoeing-april

Other Trip Details: https://www.boundarywaterstrails.org/trip-information

A required local hike will be scheduled in September to meet each other, conduct a gear check and to hash out trip logistics. Trail clearing experience is not required or expected. BWAC provides all tools and safety training.

OTHER STUFF TO KNOW:

All participants must sign the BWAC liability release, BWAC medical health form, and U.S. Forest Service volunteer agreement before trip departure. Review forms at www.BoundaryWatersTrails.org.

The $25 registration fee includes a Mckenzie map of the Powwow Trail and offsets a portion of administrative and tool costs for BWAC. Additional costs will be your trip food, and c. $20 shared gas for those not driving. Our trail partner, the U.S. Forest Service, provides the wilderness permit for BWAC volunteer crews.

Thank you for choosing to volunteer with the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee.