Section #4. Powwow Trail Clearing by Canoe (North Wilder Lake Area)

Join us on this 4 day backcountry trail clearing combining canoeing and backpacking. We will be paddling through 6 unique lakes before ending with a mile hike to set up camp on North Wilder Lake. We will be working to clear a part of the trail that is very difficult for through hikers to pass with all the current treefalls.

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.

PLAN:

We will be departing the Twin Cities @ 5:00pm on Thursday, Aug 29th and returning late evening on Monday, Sept. 2nd. We plan to be back in the metro area by 8:00 p.m. however flexibility is required due to unknowns of wilderness travel.

We will be staying in an Ely area bunkhouse the evening of Aug 29th for a 7:30am Friday morning departure from the Lake One landing. We will be paddling and portaging for about 5-7 hours to the Harbor Lake portage where we will store the canoes. We will continue on by foot to our camping area, a less than one mile hike.

Saturday and Sunday will give us two days of clearing the abundant new growth and old tree falls as we make our small section of the trail hikable again. Come Monday morning, we will head out early to retrace our canoeing and make the drive back to the cities.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Thick brush and tree falls, cool, warm and possibly wet weather, at least one very wet portage, very remote area, working with a good group of people, working hard to reopen the Powwow Trail for everyone to enjoy.

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

We will have a hike locally on Sat. Aug. 17th at the Coon Rapids Regional park 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 offer advice and suggestions.

A sample gear list can be found here:
https://www.meetup.com/Friends-of-BWCA-Trails/pages/23715529/August_16-20%2C_2017_Canoe-in_to_the_Powwow_Trail

COST:

Cost: $25 Meetup registration, $20-30 first night bunkhouse cost, and about $15 shared gas cost.

BEFORE YOU REGISTER:

If you're new to backcountry camping you will need to contact one of the leaders before signing up. Due to the remote nature and weather variables, this trip could turn into an advanced trip. Crew leaders will balance the number of novice participants with more experienced members.

Thank you for volunteering! Powwow Trail: Open the Loop in 2019.