Boundary Waters Advisory Committee - BWAC

10/01/2026

🧀 Nacho Average Trail Crew has officially returned from the Powwow Trail! 🧀

Jon, Zach, Caitlin (and Lance the Pulaski) spent four days out in the Boundary Waters doing exactly two things:

1️⃣ Clearing a grueling 0.5 miles of heavy brush between the Quadga Lake Spur and Campfire Lake.

2️⃣ Eating an irresponsible amount of cheese—melted and otherwise.

To fuel the brush-whacking, the crew constructed legendary backcountry trail nachos loaded with guac, queso, pico de gallo, and a frankly ridiculous rotation of cheeses. Campfire crème brûlée even made an appearance, because the wilderness is no excuse for a lack of culinary sophistication. crème brûlée in the backcountry? Absolutely. 🍮

Mother Nature kept things interesting with a free Friday night lightning show, which meant those epic nachos were naturally consumed while huddled under a tarp in the pouring rain. She also dropped temperatures from a sweaty 80°F at the start of the trip down to a crisp 42°F wake-up call by Sunday morning.

The final verdict?

⚒️ 10/10 trail clearing
🧀 12/10 cheese consumption

A massive thank you to the crew for keeping the Powwow Trail open and setting a new gold standard for wilderness dining! 🥑🔥

09/28/2026

🌲 No Croc Left Behind! 🐊

BWAC crew #14 of the year tagged into the Boundary Waters this past weekend, soaking up incredible weather and peak fall colors (while completely dodging the downpours further south!).

With a hilarious display of determination, the crew set out to rescue a camp shoe lost on the hike in—a mission that officially earned them their crew name. But shoe rescues were only the beginning: as BWAC’s sole trip on the west side of the Brule Lake–Eagle Mountain trail this year, this small but mighty team tackled major tangles, downed trees, and thick brush. Thanks to their hard work, there is now a cleared, hikeable corridor for the entire 3+ miles from the Brule Lake trailhead to Fishhook Lake! 🪓🍂

A huge shoutout to our crew members: two were brand-new to volunteering with BWAC, one was taking on one of their very first backpacking trips, and another was making a return to the trail after years away.

Between quiet trails, cozy campsite real estate (we were packed in so tight we couldn't even use the fire pit!), and crisp autumn air, the camaraderie was unmatched.

Thank you to Crew #14 for leaving the trail—and the footwear—better than you found it! 🍁✨

09/26/2026

Happy National Public Lands Day! Today is all about protecting and preserving the natural spaces we share—including our beloved Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

How to celebrate today:
- Volunteer for local trail work or cleanups.
- Practice Leave No Trace whenever you head outside.

How are you getting outside today? Drop a comment below! 👇

09/11/2026

In early September 2011, a wildland fire burned 90% of the Powwow Hiking Trail.

Join BWCAW Advocate Martin Kubik for the MN Rovers Outdoor Club weekly presentation: BWCA Powwow Trail – 15 Years After Pagami Creek Fire

Register on the Rovers Webpage https://mnrovers.org/contact-us/?
or Meetup for the link to receive the Zoom Link
https://meetu.ps/e/Qff0Z/tdflB/i

Our frequently asked questions page will able to answer most questions. If you are still in need of assistance, please fill out the information in the contact form below. To request a link to our virtual Zoom meeting and presentation, select “Virtual meeting” from the drop-down menu and fill in ...

09/02/2026

Whether you're looking to dive into some hands-on trail maintenance or explore the backcountry while helping keep our paths open, we have two fantastic trips coming up that you can join!

Clearing and maintaining these wilderness trails is hard work, but the camaraderie, stunning scenery, and sense of accomplishment make every minute worth it.

Head over to our Meetup page for all the details, dates, and sign-up info. Drop a comment or reach out if you have any questions—come join the fun and help us protect access to the BWCA!

👉 Check out the details and RSVP here:
https://www.meetup.com/boundarywatersadvisorycommittee/events/?eventOrigin=home_groups_you_organize

08/21/2026

Get ready for cool crisp air, fall colors, and rewarding time on the trail!

The Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC) has a great lineup of fall volunteer trips planned to keep our wilderness trails open and accessible. Whether you’re looking to clear downed trees, restore tread, or spend a few days immersed in the backwoods, there's a trip for you.

Safety First in the BWCAW We are keeping a close eye on current fire activity across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and are following all guidance and recommendations from the US Forest Service. Trip leaders will keep participants updated on any potential safety adjustments or route changes as dates approach.

How to Join Us Hope you can join us out on the trail this season! To see current trip schedules, read detailed itineraries, contact trip leaders with questions, and reserve your spot, head over to our Meetup page:

👉 https://www.meetup.com/boundarywatersadvisorycommittee/events/

See you on the trail! 🌲🪓

07/23/2026

“Duluth, MN, July 23, 2026) – Superior National Forest temporarily closed public access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on July 14 at 12:01 a.m. after a lightning storm created a surge of wildfires across the forest. In an effort to re-open select areas of the BWCAW (as fire activity, weather and resources allows) the Forest Service continues to evaluate BWCAW quota permit points daily. The following areas, as depicted in detail in the Forest Order Exhibits A & B, are updated:

Day Use Access - Permits for select points of entry in Cook County starting Monday, July 27 are open for visitor use. Day use at other entry points in the BWCAW remains closed.

Overnight Access – Permits for all points of entry for overnight use are cancelled through Wednesday July 29; no overnight camping is currently allowed.

Visitor Advisory – Due to the varied wildfire activity and weather, the Forest Service advises visitors to be diligent in planning trips into the area. Ensure a travel plan is in place and it’s shared with family or friends, know weather and fire conditions before you go, and understand you are entering a Wilderness area with associated risks due to weather, access and wildfire activity.”

07/06/2026

Check out the latest Newsletter to see what we've been up to!

https://mailchi.mp/boundarywaterstrails/thats-a-wrap-bwacs-2025-season-6745734?e=0143aa1b08

07/03/2026

It’s Summer Picnic Time! Everyone is Welcome!

Join BWAC and friends for our annual summer gathering to celebrate an amazing spring season of trail work. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer looking to reconnect with your crew or completely new to the wilderness and curious about how to get involved, we want to see you there! 🌲

📅 When: Wednesday, July 15th | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

📍 Where: Wabun Picnic Area (Minnehaha Falls area)

🍔 Food: BYO food and anything you want to grill. BWAC will provide the charcoal, cold drinks, plates, and utensils!

Come swap stories of soggy boots, epic sunsets, and trail triumphs with a community that's been stewarding wilderness trails since 2002.

👉 RSVP on meetup!(https://www.meetup.com/boundarywatersadvisorycommittee/events/315216965/)

06/29/2026

Meet BWAC Crew #12: "The BWAC Pounders"!

This incredible crew of six—Lucas, Valentin, Zach, Lynn, Jon, and Alana—just wrapped up a massive, muddy, and wildly successful mission on the Eagle Mountain Trail.

The goal? Replace the badly deteriorated and flooded Eagle Mountain Boardwalk. The result? 300 feet of brand-new, rock-solid boardwalk stretching safely across the bog!

⏱️ 26 total hours of hard labor (6 hours of intense clearing/prep on 5/1 + 20 hours of building from 6/26-28)

🔨 1,600+ nails pounded by hand

🪚 120 foundation boards custom-cut on-site

🛠️ The Arsenal: 4 sledgehammers, 4 pry bars, 2 Silky saws, one 10-lb maul, 1 Pulaski, and 1 Root Slayer shovel (and zero power tools!).

🏕️ Basecamp & Backcountry Perks
A massive thank you to the US Forest Service (USFS) for providing our basecamp at the Two Island Lake Campground! After long days of heavy swinging, those beautiful lakeside sites and refreshing swims were pure heaven.

Nature also put on a spectacular show for the crew: the drive-in featured a breathtaking, solid half-mile stretch of millions of purple lupines in full bloom!

Perfect Trail Conditions
The weather absolutely cooperated, keeping us cool with crisp 55°F mornings, beautiful 72°F days, and wonderfully low humidity.

The crew also got to chat with plenty of folks eager to try out the new wood—sharing smiles and trail updates with 40 day hikers and two groups of backpackers keeping us company over the weekend.

Next time you head up to Minnesota's highest point, enjoy the dry socks and stable footing courtesy of Crew 12!