Calling All Backpackers to Volunteer on Powwow Hiking Trail This Fall!

Dear Meetup Members,
Fall is here and so is cooler weather for hiking! We are fortunate to have an abundance of hiking trails right here in Northern Minnesota. One of those trails is the BWCAW Powwow Trail near Isabella. The Boundary Waters Advisory Committee volunteers adopted the Powwow and have kept it open for hikers and backpackers since 2015 (The trail was temporarily closed after the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire). It takes a lot of work to clear deadfalls and prune back new jack pine growth. This year we need your help more than ever. That’s because late ice out and high-water levels in May prevented many volunteer crews from getting on the trail. Our Duluth Chapter needs to clear about 40 tree falls and some brush on a trail segment 2 ½ miles from the trailhead. To make it easier for volunteers to participate this fall, BWA Committee has partnered with the Frost River store in Duluth. Frost River will provide a free van ride to the trailhead and back for the October 15th day trail clearing trip.

Volunteering is easy and takes only five steps:
1. Attend October 6, 5:30 PM training at Frost River (learn safety, trail maintenance standards and what to bring. BWAC provides handsaws and loppers).
2. Attend the "Meet and Greet" hike on October 9 at 1 PM at Hartley Nature Center.
3. Contact the October 15 crew leader Robert 218-310-2169 for a brief interview (physical fitness etc.) and permission to register for the trip on the Meetup.
4. RSVP/Pay the $10 fee on Meetup to join the October 15th trip.
5. Meet with us bright and early on October 15th and get a free ride in a Van provided by Frost River.

Why volunteer? It is a way to give back to the Boundary Waters and preserve backpacking trails for other hikers. When you volunteer, you will have a sense of personal accomplishment, and that of contributing to the BWCA Wilderness! You will meet new friends and pick up outdoor skills you did not have before in addition to exchanging gear tips with other hikers like you. And this year, the twentieth anniversary of the BWA Committee founding, we are giving away a coffee mug with commemorative BWAC logo (sure to be a collector’s piece, we hope) and the map of the trail you will be working on. Another bonus is a free rental of a Frost River canvas pack for the trip (reserve at the training session), my favorite is the “Summit” but there are several models. BWAC is also working with Trailtopia foods and the Frost River to give a 20% off discount to BWAC volunteers at the Frost River store (learn more at training session).
My hope is that you are interested in this adventure and will join us. Please RSVP today for the October 6, 5:30 crew training and/or feel free to text/call me at 651-214-5849 cell with your questions. Thank you.

Enjoy the Hike,
Martin Kubik, BWAC Founder, chair of the BWAC Duluth Chapter