Details

NOTE: THIS TRIP IS POTENTIALLY FULL. To be added to a wait list, please email eric.thurstin[at]gmail.com

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. Email me, the crew leader Eric Thurstin, under eric.thurstin[at]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. This trip will fill. Registrations will be in order of approval.

Volunteers are bringing back the Powwow Trail—you can be part of the success story! The Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC) is a 100% volunteer-run Minnesota nonprofit that has been restoring trails in Minnesota's BWCAW since 2002.

Thank you for your interest in helping maintain trails in the BWCAW.

ITINERARY

This is a combination paddle and backpack work trip to the Powwow Trail in the BWCAW.

Thursday afternoon we will carpool from the Twin Cities area to Silver Bay, MN. We will stay at a house on the shore of Lake Superior. We will go through gear, tools, safety protocols and any necessary updates.

Friday morning at 7am we will leave for Kawishiwi Lodge to arrive around 9am. We will collect our canoes and go through safety rules again. We will then paddle through Lakes One, Two, Three and then Horseshoe Lake to the rugged campsite just off the Powwow Trail. Horseshoe Lake is a beautiful remote Boundary Waters Lake featuring a fire grate and plenty of flat sites for sleeping. The campsite is unrestored, but there is a latrine.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday we will clear new growth, flag the restored trail and clear downed trees between Horseshoe and North Wilder Lake.

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 and possibly wet weather. I'm looking 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/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

All volunteers must also attend a training hike on August 30th (tentatively 6-9pm) and a crew training session on September 8th (tentatively 6-9pm). More details to come. The required local hike scheduled in August is designed to meet each other, conduct a gear check and to hash out trip logistics. If unable to attend those dates, please let me know ASAP. 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 $25.00 bunkhouse, 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. Kawishiwi Lodge generously provides canoes and a discounted bunkhouse for our first night's stay.

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