Trip Information
Thank you for your interest in helping clear trail with us! To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, there are a few meetings and details that will be covered before getting onto the trail.
Initial Contact
After signing up for a trip, either your trip leader or co-leader will contact you via meetup for contact information and answer any questions or concerns you may have. (We request a phone number and email in order to make communication easier.)
Training
Safety training will be done by individual crew leaders at your crew hike and in the field while on your trip.
Pre-Trip Gear Check and HIke
A pre-trip gear check and hike will occur 2-4 weeks before your trip date. This meeting is a chance to meet other people in your group in addition to answering your questions.
Plan on bringing all of your trip gear. We will be doing a gear review followed by 2-4 mile hike with our packs.
Your trip leader will reach out to you with the exact date and additional details as the date gets closer.
Legal
Standard Trip Forms
Review, print and complete the following forms and bring them with you to your training or pre-trip gear check. Your crew leader will also have paper copies available at Crew Member Orientation and Safety Training.
A volunteer service agreement form will be provided by your trip leader to sign at Crew Member Orientation and Safety Training, or your crew training hike.
Additionally, as a visitor to the BWCAW, watch the Forest Service boundary waters permit video series and be aware of the regulations for use of the BWCAW:
Food Storage
The USFS strongly recommends storing food in a manner to deter wildlife at all sites within the BWCAW. This means either hanging or using approved bear resistance cannisters. Due to the lack of safe food hanging trees on the Powwow Trail, BWAC crew leaders have discretion to require tested and approved bear resistant containers while on clearing trips. This included the BearVault, similar approved hard containers, and the kevlar Ursak.
General Rules and Regulations
For more details on regulations and use of the BWCAW refer to the USFS guide.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the legal agreements, contact your trip leader as soon as possible.
Trip Day
We will carpool to the trail from one or more locations in the metro area. Meet at the location chosen by your trip will all your gear packed and ready. From there, we will drive 4-5 hours to the trail.