Trip #10: Paddle & Hike to Sioux-Hustler East Side with Lucas and Sara

YOU MUST SPEAK WITH A TRIP LEADER PRIOR TO TRIP REGISTRATION.

MESSAGE SARA FULCHER (sfulche@gmail.com) AND/OR LUCAS RAUDABAUGH (Lucas.raudabaugh@boundarywaterstrails.org) TO EXPRESS INTEREST OR ASK ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TRIP - INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND A GOOD TIME TO REACH YOU.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Crew members will paddle and portage down the Little Indian Sioux River across to Hustler Lake on the east side of the Sioux-Hustler Trail. We will set up a basecamp, then clear treefalls, brush, and dig roots along Hustler Lake. We work rain or shine.

ITINERARY
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 (Day 1)

• Wednesday afternoon: Depart Twin Cities, carpooling as much as possible.
• Vehicles will drive to USFS campground and camp for the evening. Dinner in the car or at camp, something quick and easy.

Thursday, June 4 (Day 2)

• Rise and shine early, breakfast. Pack up.
• Head to entry point to receive canoes and gear from USFS.
• Paddle 11 miles along the river and lakes, with 7+ portages in between. Longest portages are 265 and 222 rods (0.8 and 0.7 miles, respectively). All group members must be able to pack light and physically capable of doing single shot portages.
• Setup base camp on Hustler Lake near the trail.

Friday & Saturday, June 5th and 6th (Days 3&4)

• Wake up at 6:30 am. We will all meet in the morning for breakfast. After a group meeting about safety, tool usage, and USFS trail standards, we will make our way to the work area and clear trail, taking time for breaks and lunch, until 4-5 pm (crew leader discretion).
• Dinner and tales of the trail at camp.

Sunday, June 7th (Day 5)

• 6:30 am wake up, quick breakfast, break camp.
• Repeat the paddle/portages in reverse back to Little Indian Sioux entry point.
• Carpool back to the Twin Cities; keep in mind we may arrive back late.

NEED TO KNOW
Pre-requisites:

1. Prior canoeing and backpacking experience.
2. Physically able to canoe and portage all day.
3. Physically able to work 8 hours, bending, lifting, kneeling, sawing, lopping, and digging.
4. Attend required Crew Member Orientation (April 14th @ REI Bloomington).
5. Attend a required local hike and gear shake-down event before the trip with your full crew and trip leaders.

Personal Gear: Gear lists will be provided and a gear shakedown meeting will be held to assess team members’ gear needs. Each team member will be responsible for carrying their own pack, shelter, sleep system, canister stove, food, water, personal gear, borrowed trail tools, and their share of group gear. If there is something you do not have, please let the crew leaders know well in advance of the trip.

BWAC Gear: BWAC will provide: McKenzie maps, safety glasses, hard hats, trail clearing tools, safety training, and BWCA permits. Water sterilization devices and bear canisters are available for use as needed.

Anticipated Temperatures/Weather Conditions: Crew members should prepare for anything from hot to rainy to freezing days and/or nights. Also be prepared for bugs. Crew leaders will discuss specifics closer to trip dates.

Food: Bring your own easy-to-cook, or no-cook, food to enjoy during the 5 days. Confirm your food fits inside your IGBC-approved, bear-proof container or Ursack with odor-proof liner. Do not assume you'll be able to hang food*.***

Costs:

• $40 registration cost on Meetup (to offset admin, tool and map costs) and
• $20-30 carpool gas money.

THE FINE PRINT:

• Participants are required to sign a (1) liability release form, (2) confidential health form, and (3) USFS trip form prior to the trip. This is a pet and tobacco-free trip.
• Participation is subject to BWAC rules, i.e., trip leaders can deny participation to anyone for any or no reason. If you sign up for this trip without prior approval of the trip leaders, your sign-up is considered a donation to BWAC.
• Please note the trip could be cancelled due to bad weather, fire danger, or other circumstances beyond the control of BWAC.

Thank you for considering this trip. By investing your time you will be creating lasting value for wilderness hikers and helping preserve this trail for future generations!