Details
YOU MUST SPEAK WITH A TRIP LEADER PRIOR TO TRIP REGISTRATION.
MESSAGE KAITLYN, LAURA, OR KATIE TO EXPRESS INTEREST OR ASK ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TRIP - INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND A GOOD TIME TO REACH YOU.
TRIP OVERVIEW
Crew members will depart from the Sioux Hustler Trailhead (BWCAW EP #15) early Thursday morning and backpack 12.5 miles up the eastern side of the Sioux Hustler Trail to the Emerald Lake campsite, where we’ll basecamp for two nights. Friday and Saturday we will clear trail with saws and loppers east or west of our campsite, depending on the results of a survey trip the prior weekend.
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 maintain one of the few hiking-specific trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
ITINERARY
Wednesday (PM), May 14th (Day 1): In the late afternoon, carpool from the Twin Cities to the Lake Jeanette campsite outside Ely, MN. We will camp there that night. Kaitlyn will be at the campsites early with the required permits for the trip.
Thursday, May 15th (Day 2): In the early morning, we will meet for a quick breakfast and pack up camp. Then vehicles will head to the Sioux Hustler Trailhead (5 miles up the road). After checking gear and discussing tool safety and trail standards, we will backpack 12.5 miles to Emerald Lake, basecamp until Saturday. Be prepared for multiple water crossings, with one at least knee deep. The hike may take anywhere from 6 to 9 hours, including breaks for lunch, snacks, and refilling water.
Friday, May 16th (Day 3): We will meet in the morning for breakfast, followed by a discussion on continued safety training, tool usage, and USFS trail standards. From there, we will make our way to the work area and clear trail, taking time for breaks, until 4-5 pm (crew leader discretion).
Saturday, May 17th (Day 4): Rise and shine early and pack up camp, leaving tools and lunch/snacks accessible in our backpacks. After hiking to our next trail clearing area, we will stow our gear and clear the trail for several hours. Mid-afternoon we will hike 2-5 miles (depending on the trail-clearing location) part-way back to the trailhead, stopping at the Shell Lake campsite for the night.
Sunday, May 18th (Day 5): Crew members will be up early for breakfast and to break camp. We will hike out in the same fashion as we hiked in, with approximately 9 miles between camp and the trailhead. Be prepared for multiple water crossings, with one at least knee deep. From the trailhead, crew members will carpool back to the Twin Cities, with arrival back in the TC area between 6-9 pm.
NEED TO KNOW
Pre-requisites:
Physically able to backpack 13 miles in 6-7 hours on rough terrain with multiple water crossings.
Attend the required spring crew member training event (April 29, 2025, at REI Bloomington).
Attend a required local hike or gear shake-down event before the trip with your crew leaders (tentatively scheduled April 26th).
Personal Gear: Gear lists will be provided and a gear shakedown meeting will be held to assess team members’ gear needs. Each team member will be responsible for carrying their own pack, shelter, sleep system, food, water, personal gear, borrowed trail tools, and their share of group gear. If there is something you do not have, please let the crew leaders know well in advance of the trip.
BWAC Gear: BWAC will provide: McKenzie maps, safety glasses, hard hats, trail clearing tools, safety training, and BWCA permits. Water sterilization devices and bear canisters are available for use as needed.
Anticipated Temperatures/Weather Conditions: Crew members should prepare for anything from hot to rainy or cold days and/or nights. Also be prepared for bugs. Crew leaders will discuss specifics closer to trip dates.
Food: Bring your own easy-to-cook, or no-cook, food to enjoy during the 4-5 days. Confirm your food fits inside your IGBC-approved, bear-proof container or Ursack with odor-proof liner. Hanging food may not be possible depending on our campsite.
Cost: $40 registration cost on Meetup (to offset admin, tool maintenance and map costs) + $30 maximum carpool gas money.
THE FINE PRINT: Participants are required to sign a (1) liability release form, (2) confidential health form, and (3) USFS trip form prior to the trip. This is a pet-free, alcohol-free, and tobacco-free trip. Participation is subject to BWAC rules, i.e. trip leaders can deny participation to anyone for any or no reason.
Please note the trip could be cancelled due to bad weather, fire danger, or other circumstances beyond the control of BWAC.
Thank you for considering this trip. By investing your time you will be creating lasting value for wilderness hikers and helping preserve this trail for future generations!