Dear Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC) Member,
As fall knocks on our collective door, I would like to thank our members for supporting BWAC’s wilderness trail advocacy and trail preservation mission. BWAC is grateful to your visits to our website and Meetup site, grateful for those of you who have been able to hike and spread the word about a wilderness trail this year, and grateful for the twenty-eight individuals who have made time to volunteer on a trail crew already in 2020.
How else can you help?
Our fall trips were posted mid-August and in just two weeks fifty-seven of you have registered for a September or October trip. Wow! August 29th the BWAC Duluth chapter launched fall trips, pulling shrubs and cutting trees in the gateway segment. A Labor Day weekend trip departs this Thursday followed by eight more trips through October 26. Trips are limited to six members this fall for safety and flexibility. Help the Powwow Trail, help yourself learn new skills, and help BWAC meet our goal of full trips--there are just a few spots left on crews. We would like each trip to be a full trip. Will you love it or will you hate it? Visit the BWAC Meetup site to scout out which trips have an opening. Message the crew leader to find out more or get on a waitlist. No experience required and BWAC provides trip guidance, tools, and training.
Powwow Trail Hiker Guide
BWAC is thrilled to announce the 2020 Powwow Trail Hiker Guide. It’s in print-on-demand format on our website, https://www.boundarywaterstrails.org/powwow-trail-guide/. This year our nonprofit has received more queries, and learned of more hikers visiting the Powwow, since before the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire. The Powwow is actively being restored: hikers will still find sections blocked and needing careful navigation, but thanks to BWAC volunteers finding and clearing the original tread, experienced backpackers are completing the loop.
Diana Bridge Project
BWAC and the U.S. Forest Service, Superior National Forest, are collaborating on replacing a wooden walkway at the Diana Lake outlet stream. Scouting of rot-resistant tamarack trees is completed. Next step, felling of the trees by the USFS, and a safe crossing before the end of 2020. Thank you, Superior National Forest rangers and BWAC for keeping the project progressing.
Minnesota’s BWCAW wilderness trails belong to all of us
BWAC will continue to forward what our allies, sponsors and volunteers already know: BWAC stewards wilderness trails in the BWCAW with integrity, hard work, and fun. I am happy to talk trails or trail advocacy with you. Email or call with any concerns or to find out more about how you can help.
Sincerely,
Susan Pollock
President
The Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC)