Details
YOU MUST SPEAK WITH A TRIP LEADER PRIOR TO TRIP REGISTRATION.
MESSAGE ZACH (zach.thorson@boundarywaterstrails.org) OR CAITLIN (caitlin.tegels@boundarywaterstrails.org) 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 Lake Jeanette Campground on Wednesday afternoon where we will set up late and car camp for the night. Early the next morning we will depart the Sioux Hustler trailhead and backpack 12 miles along the western side of the loop to the Pageant Lake campsite where we will basecamp for three nights. We will clear the trail with saws, loppers, and root slayers near Pageant and Range Lake.
ITINERARY
Wednesday, June 4th (Day 1): In the late afternoon, carpool from the Twin Cities to the Lake Jeanette Campground and set up camp for the night.
Thursday, June 5th (Day 2):
Rise and shine at 6:30am for a quick breakfast and pack up to drive to the Sioux Hustler Trailhead. We will check gear, disperse group gear and tools and have a safety talk before beginning out hike. We will backpack 12 miles (5-7 hours) to the Pageant Lake campsite with breaks for lunch and refilling water. We will set up basecamp and enjoy dinner together.
Friday, June 6th (Day 3) & Saturday, June 7th (Day 4):
We will meet early morning for breakfast, followed by a discussion on continued safety training, tool usage, and USFS trail standards. From there, we will pack lunch/snacks and make our way to the work area and clear trail until late afternoon.
Sunday, June 20th (Day 5):
Rise and shine at 6:00 am for breakfast and break break camp for a 7:30 am departure from camp. Another 12 miles (5-7 hour) hike will bring us back to the trailhead where we will carpool back to the cities for evening arrival.
NEED TO KNOW
Pre-requisites:
Physically able to backpack 12 miles in 5 hours.
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 2-3 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: 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 4 1/2 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 site.
Cost:
$40 registration cost on Meetup (to offset admin, tool and map costs)
$30 maximum fuel cost per passenger
$10 - $40 post trip lunch
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.