Image courtesy of Samuel Del Favero
Give back to the Border Route Trail by volunteering on a Non-Wilderness Clearing Trip on the east end of the trail. Be prepared for cool evenings and moderate day work conditions near the Canadian border.
Start Date: Friday, October 5, 2025
End Date: Sunday, October 7, 2025
Camping/Lodging: Either at Otter Lake or MacFarland Lake Forestry Campsite TBD
Estimated Cost: $30
Max Trip Size: 16 people
Description:
A fall maintenance trip is planned on the east end of the Border Route Trail Friday, October 3 thru Sunday, October 5. This is hiking and trail maintenance on the Border Route Trail, a segment of the North Country National Trail, on the eastern edge of the BWCA Wilderness area. 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 & appropriate extra clothing.
We will use hand tools such as lobbers & 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 & Sunday morning along with potable water. Bring your own lunches, snacks and special beverages.
More thorough details will be provided when you sign up.
To sign up, send an email with your request to 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 a recognition program if you record and turn in your hours. The volunteer in the parks program is not required but it is strongly recommended.
https://northcountrytrail.org/volunteer/volunteer-resource-center/nps-vip-form/