Details
**All participants must be pre-approved by the crew leader before registering.** Message or email Verena Walther (verenawalther@gmail.com) or Goeran Walther (goeran.walther@gmail.com) for approval and registration instructions. Include your non-Meetup email, phone number, and a good time to reach you. One of us will call you within a few days to discuss details and registration instructions.
Crew Leaders:
Verena Walther
Goeran Walther
Summary
Join Verena and Goeran on this backcountry trail clearing trip combining canoeing and backpacking. This crew will paddle North on the Little Indian Sioux River, and Upper and Lower Pauness Lake to get to our camp site by Devil's Cascade. From there we will clear the nearby section of the Sioux Hustler Trail from tree falls and brush. This is a remote trip on a wilderness route in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Some backpacking and canoeing experience is required. Tools and training will be provided. Do not hesitate to contact us as soon as you can if you are interested! Registrations will be in order of approval.
Itinerary
Wednesday evening, we will either carpool from the Twin Cities area or meet up by Ely to spend the night close to our entry point into the Boundary Waters. On Thursday morning we will head to entry point #14 at the Little Indian Sioux River. We will canoe and portage approximately 7 miles up the Little Indian Sioux River through Upper and Lower Pauness Lake and make our base camp at a the Devils Cascade camp site.
Friday and Saturday, we will be hard at work clearing the South West side of the trail loop.
On Sunday morning, we will pack up our camp, and canoe back to Entry Point #14. We will be stopping for a meal together on our way home if desired.
What to expect
Each participant will carry their own pack, shelter, sleep system, food, personal gear, and trail clearing tools. You will be responsible for providing your own gear (we provide work tools). 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. Good communication throughout the team will be key. We will work for roughly 8 hours per day, with breaks for water, snacks, and lunch.
Recommended gear list: https://www.boundarywaterstrails.org/gear-list-for-trail-clearing-backpacking-canoeing-april
A required training hike will be scheduled for May 4, 2024 to meet each other in the Twin Cities. You will meet your fellow crew and crew leaders, and we will conduct a gear check, hash out trip logistics, and get to know each other on a short hike. Location to be determined. Plan to fill out your forms there if you have not already turned them into your crew leaders.
There is a required safety training and orientation on the evening of April 16th for all BWAC volunteers. Look for the meetup event to come soon!
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 and maintain one of the beautiful hiking trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
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 map of the Sioux Hustler Trail and offsets a portion of administrative and tool costs for BWAC. Additional costs will include the cost of dinner on the way home and chipping in for gas for those not driving. Our trail partner, the U.S. Forest Service provides wilderness permits and canoes for our BWAC volunteer crews.
Thank you for choosing to volunteer with the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee, where safety is our #1 priority.