Trip #9: Backpack to Pose Lake on the Powwow Trail with Mark and Jennings

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

CONTACT MARK JURMU @ jurmu87@gmail.com TO EXPRESS INTEREST OR ASK ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TRIP - INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND A GOOD TIME TO REACH YOU.

TRIP OVERVIEW
Crew members will hike from the Powwow Trailhead to Pose Lake (approx. 6 miles). Here we will set up base camp for the next 3 nights. We will work toward South Wilder Lake clearing treefalls, brushing, and rerouting around flooded area. We work rain or shine!

WHY VOLUNTEER?
You will meet other like-minded hikers, share your skills and learn new skills from your crew, and have an unforgettable experience helping maintain one of the few hiking-specific trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

ITINERARY
Thursday, May 29th (Day 1)

• In the morning carpool from the Twin Cities to the BWCAW trailhead.
• After checking individual gear, distributing tools, and discussing safety, we will backpack 6 miles to camp (approximately a 3 hour hike). Be prepared to embrace the suck with multiple water crossings.

Fri and Sat., May 29th-30th (Days 2-3)

• In the morning we'll discuss safety, tool usage, and USFS trail standards and hit the trail at 8am. We'll make our way to the work area and clear trail, taking time for breaks, until 4-5 pm (crew leader discretion). Be prepared for multiple water crossings, potentially knee deep.
• Dinner and tales of the trail at camp.

Sunday, May 31st (Day 4)

• Clean up camp and repeat the backpack back to the entry point, leaving at 8am.
• Carpool back to the Twin Cities; keep in mind we may arrive back late.

NEED TO KNOW
Pre-requisites:

1. Prior backpacking experience.
2. Physically able to hike / backpack 6 miles on rough terrain.
3. Attend the required Crew Member Orientation (April 14th at REI Bloomington).
4. Attend a required local hike and gear shake-down event before the trip with your 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, 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 or cold 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 4 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-free 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!