Active Outdoors-Duluth/Superior

Spring is approaching quickly and so are the trail maintenance trips on the Border Route Trail (a unit of the National Park Service’s North Country National Scenic Trail). This trip will focus on the non-wilderness west end which is a 17 mile section near Gunflint Lake. The non-wilderness section of trail maintenance is done with the following tools: hand saws, lobbers, chainsaws (for those with NPS or USFS sawyer certification) and weed wacker type brush cutters. These tools are used to clear the established trail of deadfall and brush. There may also be some blazing, signage installation and/or kiosk repair. The Border Route Trail is a rugged wilderness trail on the Canadian border – come prepared for cool or wet early May weather and uneven walking surfaces which can be slick in areas if recent rain. Plan on hiking with your daypack and working with /or carrying tools an average of 5 miles a day on the BRT overlooking Gunflint Lake.
Vehicle camping (tent) possibly along the Cross River or a USFS campground if open. This will be determined closer to the date. The location will be our base for the weekend. Further details will be given to those that sign up. Non-members of Rovers can attend this overnight trip with a signed waiver.
Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday plus dinner on Friday and Saturday is included (two breakfasts, two dinners). Lunch and snacks are on your own. Be prepared for cool evenings and moderate day work conditions near the Canadian border.
The following is a great opportunity/benefit offered by the National Park Service/North Country Trail Association for volunteers that do trail maintenance which is highly encouraged.
National Park Service’s Volunteer- In-Parks Program
https://northcountrytrail.org/volunteer/volunteer-resource-center/nps-vip-form
The VIP program provides important protection for volunteers. All VIPs are entitled to the same injury considerations that NPS employees receive (provided they are operating within their approved scope of duties and NPS policies). Additionally, VIPs are recognized for their contributions and earn annual recognition items based on hours of service and are eligible to attend certain skills and leadership training.
Note: Selecting "Attend" will not automatically register you for the trip. Please contact one of the Coordinators to register.
Coordinator(s):
Gary C - [[grc70mn@gmail.com](mailto:grc70mn@gmail.com)](mailto:grc70mn@gmail.com) - (651) 470-2531
Pam T - [[jrtpdk11@gmail.com](mailto:jrtpdk11@gmail.com)](mailto:jrtpdk11@gmail.com) - (217) 248-0072

Border Route Trail Clearing — Clearwater Lake, Minnesota
Category: Camping, Paddling, Trail Maintenance
Friday - Monday. May 8 - May 11, 2026

• Estimated Cost: $30
• Deposit: $30
• Max Trip Size: 9 people

Description:
Meeting at Entry Point 62 Clearwater Lake Friday May 8 at 1:30 PM
Canoe to most eastern campsite on Clearwater Lake (Clearwater #9) and set up basecamp. Saturday and Sunday we will clear the trail of dead fall and brush using hand tools starting at Gogebeic Lake and work our way west 3.6 miles to the Mountain Lake Portage.
$30 donation fee to the Border Route Trail - borderroutetrail.org
Volunteer must provide their own food.
No training or certification required but the North Country Trail Volunteer-In Parks (VIP) is recommended https://northcountrytrail.org/volunteer/volunteer-resource-center/nps-vip-form/
Note: Selecting "Attend" will not automatically register you for the trip. Please contact a Coordinator to register.
Coordinator(s):
Chris F - CSFOTHERGILL@GMAIL.COM - (952) 807-6688

● Start Date: Thursday, 14 May, 2026
● End Date: Sunday, 17 May, 2026
● Trip Summary: Crew will use canoes, PFDs, and paddles provided by the USFS for
transport to a camp on Clearwater lake, with access to the BRT. This is a self-supported
canoe trip into the Clearwater Lake section of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness (BWCAW). At noon on Thursday, 14 May, crew members will meet at
Clearwater Historic Lodge to collect hand tools, and safety gear, then paddle
approximately 2 miles from the lodge, to the first camp on Clearwater Lake.. We’ll
establish our base camp, then clear deadfalls and brush eastward to the
Clearwater/Mountain portage. We’ll paddle back to the lodge on Sunday afternoon, 17
May, and return home.
● Camping/Lodging Info: Wilderness base camp at Clearwater Lake (camp #1), inside the
BWCAW
Registration fee: $30 to BRTA
● Meeting Location: 12:00 noon at Clearwater Historic Lodge and Outfitters, 774 Rd, Grand
Marais, MN 55604. (218) 388-2254
● Are you providing meals? No, all participants are responsible for their own meals,
snacks, and hydration.
Note: Selecting "Attend" will not automatically register you for this trip. Please contact Coordinator Bob Westphal to register.
● Crew Leader Name: Bob Westphal
● Crew Leader Phone Number: 952-818-4413
● Crew Leader Email Address: [gocbears@comcast.net](mailto:gocbears@comcast.net)
● Maximum Participants: 9 (includes trip leader)