8901 Grand Avenue Place
Duluth, MN 55808
218-626-4300
2310;2320
October 7, 2015

Dear Interested Powwow Trail Hiker:

I want to let you know about some changes in how we are managing the Powwow Trail located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) of the Superior National Forest. You have expressed interest and support in seeing the Powwow Trail maintained. Thank you for your support. I understand there is a lot of interest in this trail and I want to assure you we are keeping the trail on our system. However, due to some very challenging conditions on the ground, we will be concentrating our efforts on just a portion of the trail instead of trying to maintain the entire trail at this time.

As you know, the Powwow Trail was heavily impacted by the 2011 Pagami Creek Wildfire. Vigorous regrowth of vegetation and fallen, dead trees have thwarted efforts to keep the Trail cleared following the fire. The Forest Service, partners, and volunteers have dedicated more resources to the Powwow Trail than to any other long distance hiking trail on the Forest in recent years. This includes a concerted effort by Forest Service and Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa crews that totaled more than 2,445 work hours in 2012 and 1,280 work hours in 2015. All of these combined efforts have yet to re-establish a recognizable tread in most locations around the trail.

We are looking for a volunteer group to adopt and maintain the 6-mile section of trail from the trailhead near Isabella Lake to Pose Lake. The volunteer group would be expected to maintain the 6-mile section of trail twice a year, clearing fallen trees and clearing brush with the use of primitive (non-mechanized) tools. Efforts to clear the trail in this area are more likely to be successful over the next 10 years because vegetative regrowth is less vigorous than along most other sections of the trail. This effort could provide a hiking opportunity for visitors on a portion of the Powwow Trail in the short term. If a group does not volunteer to maintain the trail, the entire 29-mile trail will remain unmaintained.

While the rest of the Powwow Trail route will officially remain open to the public we caution hikers that there are many hazards. The trail is nearly impossible to follow without navigational aids and exceptional way-finding skills. There is little-to-no shade since all of the mature trees burned in the Pagami Fire and these standing dead snags continue to fall across the trail. Forest Service crews have re-established the campsite at Pose Lake with a fire grate and backcountry latrine and the Forest Service will consider maintaining other segments of the trail in the future if volunteers are fully successful at maintaining the segment from the trailhead to Pose Lake. Trail maintenance will continue to be difficult until more burned trees fall down, and the tree canopy closes, shading out the undergrowth. This is expected to occur in another 10-20 years.

Historically, hiking trails on the Superior National Forest have been maintained primarily through the dedication of volunteer partner groups. Their contributions have helped to provide opportunities for the American public to access and enjoy their national forest and their efforts are greatly appreciated. Volunteer groups wishing to help maintain the Powwow Trail from the trailhead near Isabella Lake to Pose Lake can contact Anna Botner at (218)387-3200.

The Forest Service will post a map at the trailhead and sign the junctions to notify hikers of the trail section that is maintained, if any, and the part that is not maintained. Current information,
including a OPS track log, will also be available on-line, in the Recreation-Hiking section on the Superior National Forest web page, at Link

Again, thank you for your interest and support of trails on the Superior National Forest. If you have any further questions or would like additional information, please contact Sue Duffy, Recreation and Wilderness Program Manager, at (218) 626-4326.

Sincerely,
BRENDA HALTER
Forest Supervisor

This is very sad. I understand what is being said and I hate to say it, but I would have to agree, even tho I don't want to have to agree.

I did this trail while the fire was burning (didn't know it at the time, until the wind shifted) and it is probably one of the most beautiful trails in the state of Minnesota

quote brotherbob1958: "This is very sad. I understand what is being said and I hate to say it, but I would have to agree, even tho I don't want to have to agree.


I did this trail while the fire was burning (didn't know it at the time, until the wind shifted) and it is probably one of the most beautiful trails in the state of Minnesota"

It would be cleared by volunteers already if they didn't impose OSHA rules on volunteer groups like they are "working" for the USFS...plus about 5 other caveats.

Anybody heard any news on Pow Wow trail or still same status?