Trip #9. Dream trip for distance hikers. The Powwow, May 23-27, 2019

INTRODUCTION AND ITINERARY

Distance hikers, head's up. Join wilderness backpackers Tom and Susan on this trip from the Powwow trailhead toward the wild west edge of the Powwow and mysterious Superstition Lake. The route is an eleven mile walk in the post-fire healthy woods. Participants will leave only footprints--and a hikeable trail--on over 1/3 of the historic Powwow loop.

Thursday afternoon, May 23, we will carpool from the Twin Cities area to BWCAW entry point 86, the Powwow Trail. We will night hike one mile in on an old logging road-turned trail to a designated campsite and set up camp. Friday up and at 'em for the now ten mile hike to Superstition Lake to set up our three night base camp. Saturday and Sunday we will use Japanese landscaping saws and Fiskars loppers to liberate the fire burned trail, picking up where a May, 2018 crew left off. Monday, Memorial Day, will see us packing out and returning to the Twin Cities, tired but rewarded by the knowledge of leaving a safe trail and experiencing the camaraderie of our unique crew.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Each participant will carry their own pack, shelter, sleep system, food, personal gear and a clearing tool. BWAC may have gear to share or borrow. Participants should be in good physical shape and have a "can-do" attitude for unknown trail and weather conditions. Plan to attend the BWAC crew member orientation on Thursday, April 11 at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis. RSVP here for the orientation and safety training:

https://www.meetup.com/Friends-of-BWCA-Trails/events/258743287/

Trail clearing experience is not required or expected. BWAC provides all tools and safety training for our crews.

We will have a hike locally during April to meet each other and conduct a gear check for major gear components: footwear, pack, rain gear, layers, sleep system, tent. Your crew leaders will make sure you bring what you need to be safe and comfortable, and will have suggestions for lightweight gear. Gear list here:

https://www.meetup.com/Friends-of-BWCA-Trails/pages/23715529/August_16-20%2C_2017_Canoe-in_to_the_Powwow_Trail

Depending on holiday traffic and trail conditions on Monday, return to Twin Cities will be anywhere from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

WHY VOLUNTEER?

You will meet other like-mined hikers, share your skills and learn new skills from your crew, and have an unforgettable experience helping restore a fire-damaged legacy trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

BEFORE RSVPing FOR THIS EVENT:

Novices welcome; if you are new to backcountry camping contact Susan Pollock before RSVPing to discuss whether the trip is a good match for you. Message me through this Meetup or use my non-Meetup email, Susan.Pollock at BoundaryWatersTrails dot org or call me at[masked].

Thank you for volunteering and we look forward to hiking with you--
your crew leaders, Tom and Susan