Details

All participants must be pre-approved by the crew leader before registering. Message or email Caitlin Tegels (caitlin.tegels@boundarywaterstrails.org) or Zach Thorson (zach.thorson@boundarywaterstrails.org) 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. We welcome both new and experienced paddlers and backpackers and invite you to enjoy the long June days with us.

SUMMARY

Join Caitlin and Zach on this backcountry trail clearing trip with a short pack in. This crew will hike in from the trailhead at entry point #86 one mile to the Isabella River, where we will make camp. We will hike with daypacks to our work area, just north of the wye.

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

We will be departing the Twin Cities in the morning on Friday, September 27th, returning in the evening on Monday, September 30th. Times may vary depending on carpools.

In the afternoon on the 27th, we will hike together to the Isabella River campsite, one mile from the trailhead and make camp. If time allows, we may hike to our worksite.

Saturday and Sunday, our crew will tackle the spruce and other flora taking over the tread of the trail. We will pack light with the food and gear needed for the day, and work for roughly 8 hours per day, with breaks for water, snacks, and lunch.

We will pack up our base camp Monday morning, and retrace our route out of the wilderness. Arrival times back home will depend on weather conditions Monday, carpools, and a group victory lunch.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Working hard with a good group of people through thick brush, unpredictable weather, and stubborn insects in very remote area. The satisfaction of a well-maintained trail!

Each participant will carry their own pack, shelter, sleep system, food, water, personal gear, and a clearing tool. BWAC may have the gear to share or borrow. Participants should be in good physical shape and have a "can-do" attitude for unknown trail and weather conditions. Trail clearing experience is not required or expected: BWAC provides all tools and safety training for our crews.

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

MANDATORY MEETINGS

There is a mandatory safety training and orientation on Tuesday, August 20th at REI in Bloomington. Sign up here.

A training hike will be scheduled for the crew to meet each other, check gear, and arrange travel plans.

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 https://www.boundarywaterstrails.org/trip-information

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, $10 for the Fall Lake campsites, and about $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, where safety is our #1 priority.