Trip #1. Early season backpack trip: Powwow Trail Restoration April 25-29, 2019
Details
INTRODUCTION AND ITINERARY
Adventure awaits volunteers on this early season trip restoring the historic Powwow Trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Thursday our crew will carpool (4-5 hour drive) from the metro area to BWCA Entry Point #86, the Powwow Trail. We will hike one mile on a flat trail by headlamp to the Isabella River BWCAW campsite for our first night's camp. Friday morning we will pack up and hike 2-5 miles to our three-night basecamp. Saturday and Sunday we will remove new growth and downed trees from the trail, using hand saws and loppers. Monday morning it's pack up and hike to the to the parking lot for the drive home. We will be tired but satisfied from contributing to reopening one of the few loop backpack trails in the BWCA wilderness.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Important to know: the Powwow trailhead parking lot is 17 miles by Forest Service roads off of Highway 1. The FS roads are not plowed during winter; there is a chance that this crew will not be able to get to the trailhead. NOAA forecasts are calling for typical temps and precipitation in the months before this trip, and we do intend to make a go of it. However, in 2013 and in 2018 we would not have been able to get to the trailhead.
2/19/2019 forecasts predict temps of 40-64ºF for our trip. Sun, rain, wind, and snow are possible. The Friday, Saturday and Sunday night base camp will not be at a designated BWCAW campsite--that is, we will not have a fire grate or a latrine. We have several choices of base camp depending on trail condition as we walk in on Friday morning. Our base camp will have a water source and will be close to our work area.
Safety is BWAC's number one priority. 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, please ask if you don’t have a complete kit, we like to help and we want you to help the trail. Participants should be in good physical shape, able to hike on uneven ground each day, carry a pack, step or climb over tree falls, saw or lop trees, and live in the woods.
Novice and experienced backpackers are welcome--you can do it! Clearing experience is not required or expected. BWAC provides all tools and safety training for our crews.
RSVP here for crew member orientation on Thursday, April 11:
https://www.meetup.com/Friends-of-BWCA-Trails/events/258743287/
We will also plan a local hike in early April to meet each other and go over personal and shared gear. All trip participants will sign a liability and photo waiver. Suggested gear list:
WHY VOLUNTEER?
Spend time with other people who care about the wilderness, share your skills and learn new ones, and have an unforgettable experience helping restore a fire-damaged legacy trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. There is nothing like hiking back to camp at the end of the day, looking forward to dinner & rest, on the trail you just cleared.
Send a Meetup message to Susan, or email her at Susan.Pollock at BoundaryWatersTrails dot org with questions or concerns or if you are new to backcountry camping.
We are looking forward to having you join us & help open the Powwow loop in 2019! – Susan & Siobhan
Trip #1. Early season backpack trip: Powwow Trail Restoration April 25-29, 2019