2026 Spring Trail Crew Recap: Trip #1: Eagle Mt. and Brule Lake trails

Our first mission of 2026 is officially in the books! A crew of 6 dedicated volunteers from the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee - BWAC just wrapped up 4 days of grit, grime, and heavy lifting on the Eagle Mt. and Brule Lake trails.

This crew traded sleeping in for "spring" temperatures that dipped as low as -4.7°C (23.5°F). Talk about a wake-up call!

The Stats:

- 512 Total Volunteer Hours clocked (That’s a lot of sweat equity!).

- 50+ Deadfalls cleared (RIP trail obstacles).

- 300 ft of Boardwalk wrestled out of the bog.

- 90% Ice Melt witnessed at Whale Lake—spring is finally winning!

The Highlights:

The weekend wasn't just about the work; it was about the reward! After a massive Friday spent lifting submerged boardwalks and restacking lumber, the crew summited Eagle Mountain for those legendary views.

We called the "Root Slayer" shovel our MVP of the trip—it was a hammer, a nail puller, a lever, and a snow-digger all in one. We ended our days at a stunning peninsula campsite on Fishhook Lake, drying our boots by the fire and soaking in 360-degree water views.

Huge thanks to the U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest for the support. The trails are clearer, the boardwalks are higher, and the BWCA wilderness is ready for you!