Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC)

You must speak with a trip leader prior to registration - they will open the event for signups. Entry point #86 has reopened, but we'll continue to check conditions in the BWCAW.

Message Caitlin Tegels (caitlin.tegels@boundarywaterstrails.org) and/or Zach Thorson (zach.thorson@boundarywaterstrails.org) to express interest or ask questions about the trip. Please include your name, phone number, and a good time to reach you.

TRIP OVERVIEW
Crew members will hike 9 miles west from the Powwow Trail entrance (entry point #86) to the Campfire Lake area. We'll make our basecamp and clear heavy brush in the 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. This is an opportunity to see what 15 years of recovery from a fire looks like and help keep the trail open!

ITINERARY

Thursday, September 10 (Day 1)

*In the early morning, carpool from the Twin Cities to the BWCAW. We will retrieve our permit from the Duluth USFS HQ.
*After checking individual gear, distributing tools, and discussing safety, we will backpack 9 miles to camp (approximately a 5 hour hike). Be prepared for water crossings and heavy brush.
*After arriving at the campsite, we’ll set up our tents and enjoy dinner in the north woods.

Friday and Saturday, September 11-12 (Days 2-3)

*In the morning we'll discuss safety, tool usage, and USFS trail standards. Then we'll make our way to the work area and clear trail, taking time for breaks, until 4-5 pm (crew leader discretion).
*Dinner and tales of the trail at camp.

Sunday, September 13 (Day 4)

*Clean up camp and repeat the backpack back to the entry point.
*Carpool back to the Twin Cities; keep in mind we may arrive back late.

NEED TO KNOW
Pre-requisites:

1. Prior backpacking experience is preferred but not required.
2. Physically able to backpack 9 miles in 5 hours on rough terrain.
3. Attend a* required* local hike and training 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. Expect to carry 5-7 lbs of tools and PPE.

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. There is nowhere suitable to hang food in this location.

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, alcohol-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!

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

MESSAGE Kait (kaitlyn.birk@boundarywaterstrails.org) AND/OR Gretchen (gretchen.godbout@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.

TRIP OVERVIEW
Join BWAC for a rigorous volunteer maintenance trip on the Powwow Trail! Crew members will hike 6 miles in to set up a dispersed basecamp near Lake Diana, then spend two days clearing tree falls, tangles, and performing essential trail maintenance. 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, October 15th (Day 1)

*Early morning carpool from the Twin Cities to meet in Two Harbors.

• Caravan to Entry Point 86 for the Powwow Trail, north of Isabella, MN.
  *Arrive at the trailhead by 12:00 PM and get on-trail by 1:00 PM.
• Backpack approximately 6 miles to the Lake Diana Green zone (approximately a 3–4 hour hike). We will set up a dispersed basecamp. (Note: There is water access at Lake Diana, but no latrine).
  *Dinner at camp and evening rest.

Friday and Saturday, October 16th & 17th (Day 2 & 3)

• In the morning, we will review safety, tool usage, and USFS trail standards.
  *Hike up to 2 miles from camp to our work site each day.
• Perform trail maintenance, clearing tree falls and tangles (roughly 8-hour workdays, taking time for breaks, until 4–5 PM).
  *Return to camp for dinner and tales of the trail.

Sunday, October 18th (Day 4)

• Clean up camp and hike the 6 miles back to the trailhead.
  *Carpool back to the Twin Cities (keep in mind we may arrive back late in the day).

NEED TO KNOW
Pre-requisites:

1. Prior backpacking experience.
2. Physically able to hike/backpack 6-8 miles in 3-4 hours on rough terrain.
3. Watch required orientation slides if spring orientation training was not attended.
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 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, alcohol-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!