Details
BEFORE YOU REGISTER
All participants must be approved by the crew leader before registering. This is a remote trip on a wilderness route in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This trip is full. Contact Mark for information and/or to be waitlisted.
This trip will balance first time and experienced participants. Email crew leader Mark Jurmu, at jurmu87@gmail.com and let me know you are interested in the trip. I will reply within three days. Do not hesitate to contact me as soon as you can. If approved you will be given instructions for how to register.
Thank you for your interest in helping maintain trails in the BWCAW.
ITINERARY:
Thursday afternoon we will carpool from the Twin Cities area to Ely, MN where we will spend our pre-trip night at the Fall Lake Campground.
Friday morning it's off to Kawishiwi Lodge on the shores of Lake One for canoes, and to start our paddle through Lakes One, Two and Three. We will stash our canoes at Lake Three then backpack 3.0 mi. to our three-night base camp at North Wilder lake. This is a beautiful campsite which has been restored and has a fire grate and latrine.
Saturday and Sunday we will clear new growth and downed trees from the trail along N. Wilder and towards S. Wilder.
Monday we'll pack out and return to the Twin Cities. It will be a six to eight hour travel day out of the wilderness.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Expect thick brush and tree falls on the trail in a very remote area, cool or hot and possibly wet weather, look forward to working with a good group of people, and to 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
There is a mandatory safety training and orientation Tuesday evening, April 5, 2022. A required local hike will be scheduled in May 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 THINGS 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 your share for gas for those not driving.
Our trail partner, the U.S. Forest Service, provides the wilderness permit for BWAC volunteer crews and no-fee camping for volunteers at the Fall Lake Campground. Kawishiwi Lodge is donating use of canoes for this trip.
Thank you for choosing to volunteer with the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee.