Details
YOU MUST SPEAK WITH A TRIP LEADER PRIOR TO TRIP REGISTRATION.
MESSAGE SARA FULCHER (sfulche@gmail.com) 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 paddle and portage from Lake One to Lake Three, stash their canoes and hike 2-3 miles south on the Powwow Trail to set up a base camp. The goal is to put the final trail clearing touches on the west side of the trail, a main area of focus over the last 2 years.
ITINERARY
Wednesday, June 11th
Wednesday late afternoon: Depart Twin Cities, carpooling as much as possible.
Vehicles will drive to Fall Lake campground and camp for the evening. Dinner in the car or at camp, something quick and easy.
Thursday, June 12th
Rise and shine early, breakfast. Pack up.
Head to the Ely USFS office and pick up our BWCAW permit.
Launch canoes from Lake One public access. Paddle Lake One, Lake Two, Lake Three (with two small ~30 rod portages) to arrive to the Powwow Trail.
Hike 2-3 miles south on the Powwow Trail to Rock of Ages or Path Lake to set up a base camp.
Friday, June 13th
A satisfying day of trail clearing relatively close to camp.
Dinner and tales of the trail at camp.
Saturday, June 14th
Another satisfying day of trail clearing relatively close to camp.
Dinner and tales of the trail at camp.
Sunday, Juen 15th
Early wake up, quick breakfast, break camp.
Repeat the hike and paddle/ portage in reverse back to Lake One.
Carpool back to the Twin Cities.
NEED TO KNOW
Pre-requisites:
Physically able to canoe 6 miles a day. Physically able to hike 4 miles a day, while carrying a backpack.
Attend the required spring crew member training event (April 29, 2025).
Attend a required local hike or gear shake-down event 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: McKenzie maps, safety glasses, hard hats, water sterilization devices, trail clearing tools, safety training, BWCA permits, bear 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 3-4 days. Confirm your food fits inside your IGBC-approved, bear-proof container.
Cost: $40 registration cost on Meetup (to offset admin, tool and map costs) + $25-30 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 and tobacco-free trip. Participation is subject to BWAC rules, i.e. trip leaders can deny participation to anyone for any or no reason.