Trip #4: Sioux-Hustler Trail Clearing/Car Camp with Doug Rude and Lynn Schwartz

YOU MUST SPEAK WITH A TRIP LEADER PRIOR TO TRIP REGISTRATION.
MESSAGE Lynn Schwartz (leschwartz77@yahoo.com) or Doug Rude (doug@therudes.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 car camp at Lake Jeanette and drive to the entry point of the Sioux-Hustler Trail. We will clear the gateway of the Sioux-Hustler Trail. Most of the work will be clearing brush and new treefalls. 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
FRIDAY, May 1 (Day 1)

• In the morning carpools depart from the Twin Cities to Lake Jeanette Campground. After arriving at the campground, we’ll set up camp. Group Dinner at camp,

Saturday, Sunday, May 2-3(Days 2-3)

• Breakfast at the camp site, make lunches, pack day packs
• Safety, tool usage, and USFS trail standards discussion. Distribute tools.
• Drive 6 miles to trailhead. Hike to start of BWCAW, clear trail, taking time for breaks, until 4-5 pm. Be prepared for multiple water crossings, potentially knee deep. We will work in teams.
• Dinner and tales of the trail at camp.

Monday, May4 (Day 4)

• After breakfast, break camp and return to the Twin Cities

NEED TO KNOW
Pre-requisites:

1. Prior car camping experience.
2. Physically able to hike 8 miles a day on rough terrain, able to kneel to lop and saw at ground level.
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 will include leather work gloves, sturdy hiking boots, over boots for high water (or high, water proof hunting boots), extra dry socks, layered clothing, reliable rain gear, sunglasses, sunscreen, whistle, TP and bug repellent, day packs large enough to carry lunch, snacks, two quarts of water, rain gear, and tools. Car camping gear. More detailed list will be provided.

Each team member will be responsible for carrying their own daypack, food, water, personal gear, 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 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.

Costs:

• $40 registration cost on Meetup (to offset admin, tool and map costs) and
• $20-30 carpool gas money
• Meals on the way up and back

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!