YOU MUST SPEAK WITH A TRIP LEADER PRIOR TO TRIP REGISTRATION.
MESSAGE SARA FULCHER (sfulche@gmail.com) AND/OR LUCAS RAUDABAUGH 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 up 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 and brush in the areas designated by the earlier survey trip.
ITINERARY
Wednesday, October 15
- Wednesday afternoon: Depart Twin Cities, carpooling as much as possible.
- Vehicles will drive to Lake Jeanette campground and camp for the evening. Dinner in the car or at camp, something quick and easy.
Thursday, October 16
- Rise and shine early, breakfast. Pack up.
- Head to entry point to receive canoes and gear from USFS.
- Launch canoes from the Little Indian Sioux entry point #14. 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, October 17th & 18th
- Two satisfying days of trail clearing relatively close to camp.
- Dinner and tales of the trail at camp.
Sunday, October 19th
- Early 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:
- Prior canoeing and backpacking experience.
- Physically able to canoe and portage all day.
- 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 (at no cost) to use: McKenzie maps, safety glasses, hard hats, water sterilization devices, trail clearing tools, safety training, BWCA permits, bear canisters.
Anticipated Temperatures/Weather Conditions: Crew members should prepare for anything from hot to rainy to freezing days and/or nights. 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.
Cost: $40 registration cost on Meetup (to offset admin, tool and map costs) + $20-30 carpool gas money (depending on # of people carpooling).
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.
