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Volunteers needed for trail clearing trips on the Kekekabic Trail

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Kate Lemon

Additional volunteers are needed for a couple trail clearing trips being led by experienced Kekekabic Trail Club volunteer leaders. This is a great way to see the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, experience the Kekekabic Trail, and to volunteer on the NCT!

Information on the Terry Bernhardt led crew trip from 5/16 – 5/20…

We will drive up to Ely the afternoon of Wednesday, May 16, stay at the US Forest Service bunk house the evening of May 16, paddle in to our campsite in the BWCAW Thursday morning, and paddle out Sunday morning.

We will be working on the west end of the Kekekabic Trail, entering at Snowbank Lake, camping near the Kek on either Parent Lake or Disappointment Lake. The Forest Service will provide canoes and hand tools (nippers, bow and cross cut saws). We provide our own food, tents and other gear. The gear and food will be planned at least a week before the trip.

I hope you can join us. There will be a combination of trail clearing activities and time to relax, fish, etc. Only requirement is that crew members be in good health and able to use hand tools and able to lift/roll branches and cut logs. We work in teams and do not tackle trees that are beyond our capability with hand tools.

Contact Terry ASAP at 651-226-6546 cell phone or tbernhardt1@comcast.net if you are interested in joining his crew.

Information on the Derrick Passe led crew from 5/23 – 5/29…

My crew is also at 5 currently. I would welcome any NCTA volunteers that want to help out on the Kek (and also get a tour of the Pagami Fire Area). Here are the pertinent details:

Wed. May 23 – Crew Assembly in Ely at Kawisihwi Ranger Station (I haven’t heard back from Cory on the Bunkhouse yet) I do have drivers coming from Mpls/St. Paul Metro Area and one via Central Wisconsin)

Thurs. May 24^th – Put in from Snowbank Entry Point around 10 am (option for Later Arrival).

May 24^th – May 27^th – Clear from a base camp on Thomas Lake East and West based on feedback from other Clearing Trips.

May 28^th – Leave base camp on Thomas and head South into Insula Lake (the north edge of the Pagami Fire).

May 29^th – Exit the BWCAW from Lake One, stay that evening at my cabin in Brimson (or go directly home).

Contact Derrick ASAP via email at Derrick.Passe@co.lake.mn.us if you are interested in joining his crew.