Events
Border Route Trail Maintenance Trip: Non-Wilderness East End
Fri – Sun, Oct 3 – Oct 5, 2025
Estimated Cost: $30
Deposit: $30
Max Trip Size: 16 people
A fall maintenance trip is planned on the east end of the Border Route Trail Friday, October 3 through Sunday, October 5. This is hiking and trail maintenance on the Border Route Trail, a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail, on the eastern edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The base campsite will be determined when we know the number of volunteers available for the trip. (Otter Lake or McFarland Lake Forestry campsite) There are no services on the Arrowhead Trail.
The trip starts Friday morning at the trail head parking lot at 8:00 am and ends Sunday afternoon by 3:00 pm. There are two and three day work options. Be prepared for fall conditions near the Canadian Border and capable of hiking/working 5 miles per day on rugged wilderness trail with a daypack with your food, water, and appropriate extra clothing.
We will use hand tools such as lobbers and saws, chain saws (must be NPS or USFS Sawyer certified), brush cutters and hand work of throwing off brush and logs. The equipment and safety gear will be provided by BRTA.
The BRTA will provide dinner Friday and Saturday evening, and breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning, along with potable water. Bring your own lunches, snacks and special beverages.
More thorough details will be provided when you sign up. The meeting site will be determined closer to the date and will depend on the number of volunteers. It will either be at the McFarland Lake Campsite or Otter Lake Campsite. To sign up, contact Pam Tavernier at info@borderroutetrail.org.
The following is a great opportunity/benefit offered by the National Park Service/North Country Trail Association for those that volunteer as trail maintenance volunteers. This provides a type of workman’s comp and also a recognition program if you record and turn in your hours: northcountrytrail.org/
