Spring/Summer 2014 edition Border Route Trail Association ... · Border Route Trail Association (BRTA) Newsletter Spring/Summer 2014 edition Tom H., Jim P. and Bill D. base camped

Border Route Trail Association

(BRTA) Newsletter

Spring/Summer 2014 edition

Welcome to the BRTA

Spring /Summer 2014 newsletter!This issue has news and updates on trail conditions, upcoming events, and much more. We also have information on where to buy your own BRT Tguide book and the new 'frame worthy'Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has donated their time by volunteering for the BRTA.

Considering volunteering? There are many ways that you can donate your time by helping distribute leaflets, representing the BRT at one of our many outreach events, or by joining a trail clearing crew. For more information about how to get involved visit the BRT web site at www.borderroutetrail.org or visit the BRT Meetup Group website at http://www.meetup.com/Friends-of-the-BorderTrail/.

Annual BRTA volunteer appreciation picnicSave the date! The annual BRTA volunteer appreciation picnic has been rescheduled and will take place on Saturday August 2nd from 1-5 pm at Deena’s place in Afton. There will be food, fun and great company. Everyone who has helped the BRTA is weare the reason this event happens! This is our favorite event of the year, so why not come and share the fun with us? More details will be announced closer to the time on the Meetup page and by email.

Trail clearing information

The extended winter and snow cover delayed the start of trail work in 2014. Once conditions were picking' we wasted no time in getting trips scheduled.

Trail clearing year-to-date - 2014

Mechanized summary

May 13 - 18

New trail construction – Moss Lake trail and South Lake trail clearing

Great progress was made on the new Moss Lake Trail. For 6 days Ed and his 'rotating' crew members worked clearing more than 2 miles of new trail over some very breathtaking and rugged terrain. This leftmile of new trail remaining to be cleared.


(BRTA) Newsletter

Spring /Summer 2014 newsletter! This issue has news and updates on trail conditions,

We also have BRT T-shirt, trail ' poster map.

Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has donated

There are many ways that you can donate your time aflets, representing the BRT at

one of our many outreach events, or by joining a trail clearing crew. For more information about how to get

Border-Route-

n picnic Save the date! The annual BRTA volunteer appreciation picnic has been rescheduled and will take place on

5 pm at Deena’s place in Afton. There will be food, fun and great company. Everyone who has helped the BRTA is welcome – you are the reason this event happens! This is our favorite event of the year, so why not come and share the fun with us? More details will be announced closer to the

The extended winter and snow cover delayed the start conditions were 'ripe for the

we wasted no time in getting trips scheduled.

and South Lake

Great progress was made on the new Moss Lake Trail. members worked

2 miles of new trail over some very and rugged terrain. This left about 1/4

mile of new trail remaining to be cleared.

Moss Lake Trail crew. Photo taken by Jan Pikor.

May 29 - June 1

At the end of May, a small group was able to make it out to the Western end of the trail for a deadfall sweep and scouting trip. We were happy to welcome Tim Kelly from a cancelled wilderness trip, the extra hands were a big help. The Cross River campsitlocated to work the trail sections we concentrated on. We made visits to meet with the resort owners whocontinue to provide great support. along current conditions and comments from guests. During the course of the trip, we Western Trailhead to CR 46, checked tsection and the trail from the lake landing to Bridal Falls, as well as the BRT section from the falls to the wilderness boundary near the Crab Laktagging needs to be done, with some reneeded in the burnt sections. A big thank you to Gunflint Lodge. The boat support to the end of the lake allowed us to spend more time on Another big thanks to Heston’s for their hospitality. After a day clearing trails, it’s always a pleasure to join them and their guests for an evening away from camp.

July 2 - July 7

Moss Lake Trail - The new Moss Two days of deadfall sweep andto complete the last 1/4 mile.remains to be done the trail for hiking.

Wilderness summary

Chris F took an REI crew up to work the South Lake trail the first weekend of May but had to turn bthe amount of snow on the trail and the rain Friday night making it impossible to hike up the trail.

Moss Lake Trail crew. Photo taken by Jan Pikor.

small group was able to make it out to the Western end of the trail for a deadfall sweep

We were happy to welcome Tim Kelly from a cancelled wilderness trip, the extra hands were a

The Cross River campsite had us conveniently the trail sections we concentrated on.

meet with the resort owners who great support. The resorts passed

along current conditions and comments from staff and the course of the trip, we worked the

Western Trailhead to CR 46, checked the High Cliffs the trail from the lake landing to Bridal Falls,

as well as the BRT section from the falls to the wilderness the Crab Lake cut-off. Brushing and re-

tagging needs to be done, with some re-built cairns needed in the burnt sections. A big thank you to

The boat support to the end of the lake allowed us to spend more time on the popular sections.

ig thanks to Heston’s for their hospitality. After a day clearing trails, it’s always a pleasure to join them

for an evening away from camp.

Moss Lake trail is complete. Two days of deadfall sweep and brushing were needed to complete the last 1/4 mile. While some light brushing remains to be done the trail is well flagged and ready

Chris F took an REI crew up to work the South Lake trail the first weekend of May but had to turn back due to the amount of snow on the trail and the rain Friday night making it impossible to hike up the trail.


(BRTA) Newsletter


Tom H., Jim P. and Bill D. base camped at Sock Lake to finish clearing the BRT from there to the South Lake Trail. There were many new trees down in the segment that had been cleared in 2013 to where Mucker Lake outflows across the BRT. Several of the trees were green, making them much heavier and more difficult to clear than typical older deadfalls. The crew was able to clear the trail to the outflow, so that segment is in excellent condition again.

Tom S., Carin O., Ginger B., Christine S., Paul S., Cyrus D. and Bob W. worked on the South Lake trail finishing a deadfall sweep and brushing the entire BWCA segment of the trail putting it in excellent condition. This included moving the SLT tread out of a ponding area 5south of the BRT and reestablishing it to the original tread. We built a path around a large (3.5 foot diameter) deadfall just north of the Partridge Lake camp. South of the camp, the tread was rerouted away from the Partridge Lake shore to avoid athat had roots across the trail exposed by erosion by the lake. This appears to put the tread back to its original position. The crew also hiked over to the Rose Cliffs overlooks and reestablished spur trail access to the Spire (see Trail Guide Cover) and to the location for photographing the Spire with the Rose, Rat and South Lakes as a background.

John and Barb T, Kris F., Phil N., Bob W, and Tom S spent Memorial Day weekend finishing the clearing from the Stairway Portage west to the Rose Cliffs overlook. We also positioned some rocks in the stream coming from the pond at about the midpoint of this trail segment to make rock hoping across this stream much easier. We removed the dead stump surface roots that crossed the BRT just west of the bridge across the flow from Duncan Lake that creates the waterfall at Stairway Portage.

May 15 - 18

Wilderness trail clearing - BWCA - Rose Lake Cliffs

May 22 - 26

Wilderness trail clearing - BWCA - Duncan Lake 1

May 29 - June 1

Wilderness trail clearing - BWCA - McFarland Lake

Look for additional information about upcoming trips and projects on the BRT Meetup Group website at

http://www.meetup.com/Friends-of-the-BorderTrail/.


(BRTA) Newsletter

Jim P. and Bill D. base camped at Sock Lake to finish clearing the BRT from there to the South Lake Trail. here were many new trees down in the segment that

had been cleared in 2013 to where Mucker Lake l of the trees were green,

much heavier and more difficult to clear crew was able to clear

l to the outflow, so that segment is in excellent

Ginger B., Christine S., Paul S., Cyrus D. and Bob W. worked on the South Lake trail finishing a deadfall sweep and brushing the entire BWCA segment of the trail putting it in excellent condition. This included moving the SLT tread out of a ponding area 500 feet south of the BRT and reestablishing it to the original tread. We built a path around a large (3.5 foot diameter) deadfall just north of the Partridge Lake camp. South of the camp, the tread was rerouted away from the Partridge Lake shore to avoid an area that had roots across the trail exposed by erosion by the

appears to put the tread back to its original position. The crew also hiked over to the Rose Cliffs overlooks and reestablished spur trail access to the Spire

Cover) and to the location for photographing the Spire with the Rose, Rat and South

Kris F., Phil N., Bob W, and Tom S spent Memorial Day weekend finishing the clearing from the

to the Rose Cliffs overlook. We also positioned some rocks in the stream coming from the pond at about the midpoint of this trail segment to make rock hoping across this stream much easier. We removed the dead stump surface roots that crossed the

west of the bridge across the flow from Duncan Lake that creates the waterfall at Stairway Portage.

Rose Lake Cliffs

Duncan Lake 1

McFarland Lake

upcoming trips etup Group website at

Border-Route-

Wilderness First Aid CertificationThe BRTA is teaming up with Active Source training to offer Red Cross CPR/AED and Certification good for two years. Active Source is a local training provider for the Northern Star Council of the Boy Scouts. They have scouts and scoutmasters over the last 8 years.held multiple times during the spring and fall. All classes are on a first-come, first-additional information is available http://activesrc.com/wildernessfirstaid.html

Please note that you are required to have current CPR/AED and First Aid certificationperform saw work on USFS trails, including the BRT.Wilderness First Aid certification is not a USFS requirement the BRTA highlyremote locations where we work

BRTA Volunteer Training The BRTA, in conjunction with the USFS, chainsaw and crosscut saw certification April 12th and 13th at Bunker Hills Park. The training was well attended with several different trail organizations from throughout the state. A total of 19 volunteers received chainsaw certificreceived crosscut saw certification.provided classroom instruction in the morning and then took it outside for some instruction and practice.

USFS Instructors - Jamie Lowe, Tom Yankiowiak, Dan Peterson,

Jon Benson and Stove Cochran.

Certification is teaming up with Active Source training to

offer Red Cross CPR/AED and Basic Wilderness First Aid good for two years. Active Source is a

training provider for the Northern Star Council of . They have been providing training for

scouts and scoutmasters over the last 8 years. Training is during the spring and fall. All classes

-serve basis. Signup and is available at

http://activesrc.com/wildernessfirstaid.html.

are required to have current certifications before you can

perform saw work on USFS trails, including the BRT. While Wilderness First Aid certification is not a USFS

highly recommends it due to the remote locations where we work.

The BRTA, in conjunction with the USFS, offered chainsaw and crosscut saw certification April 12th and

. The training was well attended several different trail organizations represented throughout the state. A total of 19 volunteers

chainsaw certification and 9 volunteers crosscut saw certification. The instructors

provided classroom instruction in the morning and then some very informative hands-on

Jamie Lowe, Tom Yankiowiak, Dan Peterson,

Jon Benson and Stove Cochran.


(BRTA) Newsletter


In addition to saw certification provided by the USFS the BRTA held a one day training for power brushcutter use on April 19th at Ed's farm in Wisconsin. Ed instructedvolunteers on the finer points of brushcutter use and etiquette. No feet, hands or other appendages were lost during this fun training that included an invigorating,short hike afterwards.

Ed Solstad and the current group of students

Hikers Trail reports

McFarland to East end (contributed by Steve 'Radio Ranger' Brown on 5/28/14

We left McFarland Lake at 10:15am and had lunch overlooking South Fowl Lake, then on to the Portage Brook campsite at 5:45pm---about 7-1/2 miles in 7hours. I’m sure not in as good a shape as a few years ago! Trail report McFarland Lake to the Stump River Bridge. Some blow down and the Alder is just starting to bud out, but will obscure things pretty well in a couple of weeks, especially in the areas that get lots of sun. The good news is that there’s a LOT of blue tape marking the trail, so I don’t think anyone would get lost, but they sure would get their pants wet if the Alder was wet. The bridge at Stump River is in pretty good shape, except that the approach from the west only has one board and is a little shaky. Also, there’s some deadfall river stuff up against the bridge supports. The worst of the deadfall and Alder brush is on the section just east of the ATV trail that bisects the BRT as it goes up to South Fowl Lake. This ATV trail is open---we saw and heard traffic on it.


(BRTA) Newsletter provided by the USFS the

BRTA held a one day training for power brushcutter use on April 19th at Ed's farm in Wisconsin. Ed instructed 9 volunteers on the finer points of brushcutter use and

et, hands or other appendages were n invigorating,

on 5/28/14)

We left McFarland Lake at 10:15am and had lunch Fowl Lake, then on to the Portage

1/2 miles in 7-1/2 hours. I’m sure not in as good a shape as a few years

to the Stump River Bridge. lder is just starting to bud

out, but will obscure things pretty well in a couple of weeks, especially in the areas that get lots of sun. The good news is that there’s a LOT of blue tape marking the trail, so I don’t think anyone would get lost, but they

lder was wet. The bridge at Stump River is in pretty good shape, except that the approach from the west only has one board and is a little shaky. Also, there’s some deadfall river stuff up against the bridge supports. The worst of the

lder brush is on the section just east of the ATV trail that bisects the BRT as it goes up to South

we saw and heard

We didn’t see the campsite on the Pigeon River, but weren’t looking too hard for it. I presume that the site at Stump River bridge is the area just west of the bridge, that also looks to be the end of an ATV or snowmobile trail, and has plenty of dry, brush free room for tents. Stump River to Portage Brook bridge was described in the book as ‘boot sucking mud’ but we did some puddle jumping and didn’t have a problem, despite record snowfall this year. The Portage Brook campsite was wet and has a fair amount of Alder growth, but the picnic table there was a GREAT surprise! The Portage Brook bridge is in good shape, the west end is only supported on one sidelonger support post on the other side. There is a fair amount of drift wood on the supports of the bridge, like maybe the beavers are starting to pile thinthe creek? From Portage Brook to the end of the BRT at Otter Lake Road has pretty thick Alder growth, but good blue tape markings. There are maybe 10 deadfall trees on this chunk, only 2 or 3 of them really bad enough to cause bushwhacking through the woods.

Portage Brook campsite - Photo by Mike Mack

We didn’t take the Otter Lake cutoff path, so I’m not sure what shape it’s in. We took the short spur trail to the last vista before the Otter Lake trailhead and the view is incredible. The Superior Hiking Trail group has posted a sign up there

We didn’t see the campsite on the Pigeon River, but r it. I presume that the site at

Stump River bridge is the area just west of the bridge, that also looks to be the end of an ATV or snowmobile trail, and has plenty of dry, brush free room for tents.

Stump River to Portage Brook bridge was described in the book as ‘boot sucking mud’ but we did some puddle jumping and didn’t have a problem, despite

The Portage Brook campsite was wet and has a fair lder growth, but the picnic table there was

Portage Brook bridge is in good shape, the west end is only supported on one side---maybe needs a longer support post on the other side. There is a fair amount of drift wood on the supports of the bridge, like maybe the beavers are starting to pile things up to dam

From Portage Brook to the end of the BRT at Otter Lake lder growth, but good blue tape

markings. There are maybe 10 deadfall trees on this chunk, only 2 or 3 of them really bad enough to cause

through the woods.

Photo by Mike Mack.

We didn’t take the Otter Lake cutoff path, so I’m not

ook the short spur trail to the last vista before the Otter Lake trailhead and the view is incredible. The Superior Hiking Trail group has posted a sign up there


(BRTA) Newsletter


that proclaims that it’s the end of the SHT andbeginning of the BRT---something to do with tCountry Trail realignment? The 0.9 miles from the vista down to the Otter Lake Road trailhead was pretty easy, nice downhill in the 75 degree weather, with just a few wet spots and not much of an Alder brush problem. We noted that when we were dropped off at Otter Lake Road on Thursday there was a logbook at that site, but when we got back yesterday it was gone, off the chain that secured it. There’s a great deer skeleton on the trail not too far from the cutoff spur to the last vista, as you from the west. There was a fair amount of freshscat, some bear scat and wolf scat on the trail, but outside of eagles and songbirds we didn’t encounter any wildlife. Oh, the bug count---- a dozen mosquitoes at dusk and one tick on my sleeve. We used Sawyer permethrin to treat our clothes, which really helps.

Do you have a trail report to share? If you have a trail report that you'd like to share in the newsletter, we'd love to publish it. We publish at least one trail report in each newsubmit a trail report please e-mail it, along with any pictures, to: [email protected]. Please note that submission of a trail report and pictures authorizes use by the BRTA in the newsletter. Submissionsedited for content and length.


(BRTA) Newsletter that proclaims that it’s the end of the SHT and

something to do with the North

The 0.9 miles from the vista down to the Otter Lake Road trailhead was pretty easy, nice downhill in the 75 degree weather, with just a few wet spots and not

noted that when we were dropped off at Otter gbook at that site,

but when we got back yesterday it was gone, off the

There’s a great deer skeleton on the trail not too far from the cutoff spur to the last vista, as you approach

a fair amount of fresh moose scat, some bear scat and wolf scat on the trail, but outside of eagles and songbirds we didn’t encounter

a dozen mosquitoes at dusk and one tick on my sleeve. We used Sawyer permethrin to

report that you'd like to share in the

newsletter, we'd love to publish it. We would like to report in each newsletter. To

mail it, along with any Please note that

authorizes use sions may be

Minnesota Rovers The BRT was planned and built in the early 1970s by volunteers from the Minnesota Rovers in cooperation with the USFS and the MN DNR. We still enjoy our close association with the Minnesota Rovers today. For more information about Minnesota Roversthe many outdoors activities that they organize, visit their website at http://www.mnrovers.org.

info on day trips, social events, details on how to become a member and weekly 7pm (location varies, so check the

Minnesota Rovers 60th Anniversary

Celebration

August 8-10, 2014 Wild River State Park — on the beautiful St. Croix River Minnesota Rovers is celebrating 60 years of adventures — wilderness and urban, alike! weekend of biking, hiking, climbing, paddling, storytelling, camping, and many other activities and programs at the park. All past and present Minnesota RoversAdditional information is available byhttp://reunion60.mnrovers.org/

The BRT was planned and built in the early 1970s by volunteers from the Minnesota Rovers in cooperation with the USFS and the MN DNR. We still enjoy our close association with the Minnesota Rovers today. For more information about Minnesota Rovers Outdoors club and the many outdoors activities that they organize, visit

http://www.mnrovers.org. You’ll find info on day trips, social events, details on how to

r and weekly Tuesdays meetings at 7pm (location varies, so check the website).

Minnesota Rovers 60th Anniversary

on the beautiful St. Croix River.

Minnesota Rovers is celebrating 60 years of adventures wilderness and urban, alike! Join them for a long

weekend of biking, hiking, climbing, paddling, storytelling, camping, and many other activities and

Minnesota Rovers are invited. is available by visiting

http://reunion60.mnrovers.org/


(BRTA) Newsletter


NCTA's Hiking Celebration Aug 21 –The four North Country Trail Association (NCTA) Chapters in Minnesota will be hosting the first ever Minnesota Hiking Celebration at Spirit Mountain in Duluth from Aug 21 – 23. Workshops, presentations, guided Superior Hiking Trail, tours, gear demos, family activities, and evening programs are all on the agenda. Saturday will feature an all-day Hiking & Outdoors Expo (think: much smaller version of Midwest Mountaineering’s Outdoor Adventure Expo)hope to include pre- and post- Celebration activities like a trail-building day or a hike on the BRT!

For complete information, visit the NCTA website at http://northcountrytrail.org/duluth or join the Facebook event group at http://tinyurl.com/p8k6k9k


(BRTA) Newsletter

– 23, 2014 The four North Country Trail Association (NCTA) Chapters in Minnesota will be hosting the first ever Minnesota Hiking Celebration at Spirit Mountain in Duluth from Aug

23. Workshops, presentations, guided hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail, tours, gear demos, family activities, and evening programs are all on the agenda.

day Hiking & Outdoors Expo (think: much smaller version of Midwest Mountaineering’s Outdoor Adventure Expo). We also

Celebration activities building day or a hike on the BRT!

For complete information, visit the NCTA website at or join the Facebook

/p8k6k9k.

Spring Midwest Expo 2014 and Fall Midwest

Expo 2014

Spring 2014 Expo booth. Photo

Thanks to everyone who visited the KEK / BRT / NCTA booth at the Spring 2014 Midwest Mountaineeringin April. We are looking forward to the upcoming Fall 2014 Expo Nov 21st - 23rd and hope to see you there. Learn more at www.outdooradventureexpo.com

Thinking about joining the BRTA?Remember, anyone who volunteers on a trail clearing weekend automatically becoBRTA! Others may join for $20/yr. For additional membership information please visit http://borderroutetrail.org/membership.html.

BRT T-shirt, trail guide anDid you know that you can buy a BRT Tguide, with maps, from our website? The T-shirt features a picture of Rose Lake Cliffs, voted best backpacking view in MN by Backpacker

Spring Midwest Expo 2014 and Fall Midwest

Photo taken by Matt Davis.

Thanks to everyone who visited the KEK / BRT / NCTA booth at the Spring 2014 Midwest Mountaineering Expo in April. We are looking forward to the upcoming Fall

23rd and hope to see you there. www.outdooradventureexpo.com

the BRTA? Remember, anyone who volunteers on a trail clearing weekend automatically becomes a member of the

may join for $20/yr. For additional membership information please visit http://borderroutetrail.org/membership.html.

and poster map Did you know that you can buy a BRT T-shirt and trail

from our website?

shirt features a picture of Rose Lake Cliffs, voted best backpacking view in MN by Backpacker


(BRTA) Newsletter


Magazine. Get your T-shirt today for only $20 at http://borderroutetrail.org/sales.html. You can also purchase the official BRT trail guide which includes maps, information on the trail, campsites, lodges and much more! Why not order your own copy before setting off on your next BRT hike? The cost of $19 (or $14 for current BRTA members and members of the Minnesota Rovers) includes shipping & handling.http://borderroutetrail.org/trailguide.html. In addition to the maps available in our trail guide there is a new 'frame worthy' poster size map of the entire Border Route Trail. This map is currently available from the BRTA booth at shows and expos. It is soon to be available on the website. Keep an eye on homepage for more information. http://borderroutetrail.org/.

BRTA board members John Elliot: President, Equipment coordinator

John Garbe: Vice president, Webmaster

Lori Gilbertson: Secretary

Deena Reisman: Treasurer

Ed Solstad: Non-Wilderness Trail Maintenance Coordinator.

Tom Suter: Wilderness Trail Maintenance Coordinator.

Matt Davis: Marketing director

Larry Quinn: Director at large

Bob Westphal: Director at large

Gary Carlson: Director at large

Don Snyder: Acting Trip Registrar / Membership director

There is currently a position open on the BRTA Board for a Trip Registrar / Membership Director. If you would like to support the BRTA by volunteering and can share your skills and expertise, your help would be appreciated! The BRTA board meets once a month on a Thursday evening with everyone welcome to attend. Details as to date, time, and place can be found on the BRT Meetup webpage at http://www.meetup.com/FriendsBorder-Route-Trail/


(BRTA) Newsletter shirt today for only $20 at

You can also purchase the official BRT trail guide which on the trail, campsites,

lodges and much more! Why not order your own copy before setting off on your next BRT hike? The cost of $19

BRTA members and members of the Minnesota Rovers) includes shipping & handling.

In addition to the maps available in our trail guide there ' poster size map of the entire

ail. This map is currently available from t is soon to be

website. Keep an eye on our

President, Equipment coordinator

Wilderness Trail Maintenance

Wilderness Trail Maintenance Coordinator.

/ Membership director

There is currently a position open on the BRTA Board for a Trip Registrar / Membership Director. If you would like to support the BRTA by volunteering and can share your skills and expertise, your help would be appreciated!

th on a Thursday evening with everyone welcome to attend. Details as to date, time, and place can be found on the BRT Meetup

http://www.meetup.com/Friends-of-the-

Some BRTA board members at the June2013 board meeting.

Photo taken by Emily Allgeyer.

BRTA contact info Interested in finding out more about the BRTA and keeping up-to-date with news and events? You can join the BRTA group on Facebook to share photos and stories with other BRT hikers https://www.facebook.com/gro

Check out the BRTA Meetup Group siteupcoming events and volunteer opportunities. http://www.meetup.com/FriendsTrail/ And of course remember to check out our website for details about the trail, maps, merchandise, and more at http://borderroutetrail.org/

Some BRTA board members at the June2013 board meeting.

Interested in finding out more about the BRTA and date with news and events?

You can join the BRTA group on Facebook to share photos and stories with other BRT hikers https://www.facebook.com/groups/borderroutetrail/.

Check out the BRTA Meetup Group site for the latest on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. http://www.meetup.com/Friends-of-the-Border-Route-

And of course remember to check out our website for details about the trail, maps, merchandise, and more at

Documents

Spring/Summer 2014 edition Border Route Trail Association ... · Border Route Trail Association (BRTA) Newsletter Spring/Summer 2014 edition Tom H., Jim P. and Bill D. base camped