Details
*** This trip is potentially full ***
YOU MUST SPEAK WITH A TRIP LEADER PRIOR TO TRIP REGISTRATION.
MESSAGE MEL TO EXPRESS INTEREST OR ASK ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TRIP - INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND A GOOD TIME TO REACH YOU.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Crew members will carpool to the Powwow Trailhead (BWCAW EP #86) on Thursday afternoon. We will disperse car camp near the trailhead. Friday morning, depart trailhead at 9 am and backpack 11.2 miles along the southern loop of the Powwow Trail to Superstition Lake, where we’ll make base camp for three nights. The goal is to clear trail with saws, loppers, and root slayers along the Superstition Lake shoreline.
ITINERARY
Thursday, May 22nd (Day 1): Carpools will depart Twin Cities area between noon and 5 pm, with a 5 hour drive to the trailhead. Crew will dispersed car camp near the trailhead overnight.
Friday, May 23rd (Day 2): Rise and shine at 6:30am, breakfast, pack up, and drive 2 minutes to trailhead. Trip leaders will check personal gear, and disperse group gear and tools. Safety and the day's goals will be reviewed. Expect a 5-7 hour backpack in to Superstition Lake, with time for breaks and refilling water. Crew will make basecamp for three nights. Group will meet for dinner at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, May 24th (Day 3): Rise and shine at 6:30am, breakfast, pack up food, tools, and safety gear for workday. Workday overview at 8:00 am, then a short hike to the work area. Crew Leaders will review safety, clearing goals, techniques, and USFS trail standards. Crew will clear trail until 4-5 pm, with lunch, and breaks as needed. Return to basecamp, group dinner at 6:00 pm.
Sunday, May 25th (Day 4): Rise and shine at 6:30am, breakfast, pack up food, tools, and safety gear for workday. Workday overview at 8:00 am, then a short hike to the work area. Crew Leaders will review safety, clearing goals, techniques, and USFS trail standards. Crew will clear trail until 4-5 pm, with lunch, and breaks as needed. Return to basecamp, group dinner at 6:00 pm.
Monday, May 26th (Day 5): Rise and shine at 6:30am, breakfast, pack up gear and depart camp at 8:00 am. 5-7 hour hike out to trailhead. Group will decide on a lunch stop and depart trailhead. Arrival back in the Twin Cities area between 6-9 pm.
NEED TO KNOW
Pre-requisites:
Physically able to backpack 12 miles in 5 hrs.
Physically able to carry self sufficient gear, food, water, and BWAC provided tools for 12 miles.
Attend the required spring crew member training event (April 29, 2025).
Attend a required local hike or gear shake-down event 1-2 weeks before the trip with your crew leaders.
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 (at no cost) to use: safety glasses, hard hats, water sterilization devices, trail clearing tools, safety training, BWCAW permits, and IGBC - approved bearproof cannisters.
Anticipated Temperatures/Weather Conditions: Crew members should prepare for anything from hot to rainy or cold days and/or nights. 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 1/2 days. Confirm your food and smelly items fit inside your IGBC-approved, bear-proof container or Ursak with odor proof liner. Hanging food near Superstition Lake is not possible due to lack of suitable trees.
Cost: $40 registration cost on Meetup (to offset admin, tool and map costs)
Cost: $30 maximum fuel cost per passenger
Cost: $10 - $40 post trip lunch
THE FINE PRINT: Participants are required to sign a (1) liability and photo release form, (2) confidential health form, and (3) USFS volunteer signature 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.