Details
All participants must be approved by the crew leader before registering. This is a remote trip on a wilderness route in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Email, call or text Rod Markin, crew leader, and let me know you are interested in the trip @ rjmarkin@gmail.com or 763-286-7330. I will reply within a few days. Do not hesitate to contact me as soon as you can. This trip will fill and registration sequence will be in order of approval.
ITINERARY
This is a hike-in trip to clear the area west of the Wye in the Pelt Creek to Flapper Creek area. Recent survey trips indicate that there are 20-30 tree falls per mile in this section, as well as areas needing to be brushed back. Experience is not required. All tools, training and a gear list will be provided.
Early Thursday morning, September 22, we will carpool from the Forest Lake Walmart to Entry point 86 for the Powwow Trail, north of Isabella, Minnesota. We expect to arrive at the trailhead by 1:00pm and get on-trail by 1:30pm. We will hike in approximately 4.5 miles to Flapper Creek where we will disperse camp on both sides of the creek. There is no latrine or fire grate at this camp area.
On Friday and Saturday, we will clear tree falls and tangles, and do needed maintenance of the trail between Flapper Creek and Pelt Creek. On Sunday morning, we will pack up and head back to the trailhead and then on back to the Twin Cities.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Each participant will carry their own pack, shelter, sleep system, food, personal gear and a clearing tool. You should be in good physical shape for full days of travel and working, and have a "can-do" attitude for unknown trail and weather conditions.
Recommended gear list: https://www.boundarywaterstrails.org/gear-list-for-trail-clearing-backpacking-canoeing-april
A required local hike will be scheduled in early September to meet each other, conduct a gear check, and to hash out trip logistics.
OTHER STUFF TO KNOW:
All participants must sign the BWAC liability release, BWAC medical health form, and U.S. Forest Service volunteer agreement before trip departure. Review forms at https://www.boundarywaterstrails.org/
The $25 registration fee includes a Mckenzie map of the Powwow Trail and offsets a portion of administrative and tool costs for BWAC. Additional costs will be your trip food, and about $20 shared gas for those not driving. Our trail partner, the U.S. Forest Service, provides the wilderness permit for BWAC volunteer crews.
Thank you for choosing to volunteer with the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee, where safety is our #1 priority.