Upcoming events.
Header photo courtesy of John Keefover
BRT Spring Maintenance Trip #1
Give back to the Border Route Trail by volunteering on Clearing Trip!
BRT Non-Wilderness Spring Maintenance Trip 1 - Gunflint Lake
Registration is open
BRT Spring Maintenance Trip #1 - Wilderness
Give back to the Border Route Trail by volunteering on a Wilderness Clearing Trip!
BRT Wilderness Spring Maintenance Trip 1 - Clearwater Lake
Registration is open!
BRT Spring Maintenance Trip #2 - Wilderness
Give back to the Border Route Trail by volunteering on a Wilderness Clearing Trip!
BRT Wilderness Spring Maintenance Trip 2 - Topper Lake
Registration is open!
Please email gocbears@comcast.net for more details.
BRT Spring Maintenance Non-Wilderness Trip
Give back to the Border Route Trail by volunteering on a Clearing Trip!
BRT Non-Wilderness Spring Maintenance Trip 2 - McFarland Lake
Registration is open.
FRI - SUN
May 17 - May 19 2024
Description:
Hiking and trail clearing on the Border Route Trail (a segment of the North Country National Trail) on the eastern edge of the BWCA Wilderness area. We will car camp (tents) at McFarland Lake MN Forestry campsite at the end of the Arrowhead trail road. There are no services on the Arrowhead Trail.
PLEASE CLICK LINK ABOVE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND DETAILS.
Extended Trail Clearing Trip
Give back to the Border Route Trail by volunteering on a Wilderness Clearing Trip!
Extended Trail Clearing Trip
This trip will be lead by John Taylor and will meet at the MacFarland Lake Campground on Thursday evening of 23 MAY 2024. We will be trail clearing the Border Route Trail as it goes into the BWCA, heading west from McFarland Lake. We hope to clear the trail from the trailhead to get to the McFarland-Pike portage.We will hike in Friday, Saturday, and Sunday leaving Monday 27 MAY 2024. Please bring your own food and water/purification systems for the event. The group is limited to nine.
Please contact John Taylor at johnwtaylor3@gmail.com to sign up.
November Board Meeting
Attend our November board meeting to learn more about how you can give back to your favorite trail by volunteering on our leadership team.
Midwest Mountaineering Spring Expo
We will be sharing a booth at the Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Adventure Expo with the Kekekabic Trail Chapter of the NCT and the Superior Hiking Trail Association. Stop by to meet our volunteers, learn about the trail, and grab a free sticker!
What is the Outdoor Adventure Expo?
Join all of your like-minded friends at the Midwest Mountaineering store, the big-top tents, and the University of Minnesota campus for over 30 Exhibitors, over 40 Presentations, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, and our biggest Sale of the Season!
Meet with exhibitors including local environmental non-profits, trail organizations, outfitters, ski areas, tourism promoters, etc. Attend free presentations about everything outdoor related – Topics include: kayaking, lightweight backpacking, adventure travel, mountaineering, etc. Get product information from manufacturers’ representatives, eat wonderful treats and meals from our food vendors.
Special events include the Boat Auction (Spring only), Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour (Fall and Spring), and the Paddlesports Demo (Spring only).
When is the Outdoor Adventure Expo? (Dates + Hours)
Admission is FREE!
April 28 – 30, 2023
Fri: 2 to 8 (Thrifty Outfitters open 10 to 9)
Sat: 10 to 6
Sun: 11 to 5
Details: www.outdooradventureexpo.com
Don’t miss out on our presentation “Trail Need You: Volunteer Opportunities on Hiking Trails in the Region” on Saturday, April 29th, 1:00 pm, U of M - Hanson Hall, Room 1-105
Did you know that there is a great chance that volunteers - people just like you - are responsible for stewarding your favorite hiking trail?
This program will highlight how hikers can make a huge difference by volunteering on their favorite trails in the region in a variety of ways.
Leaders from trail organizations in the region will be on hand to talk about their trails, how volunteers build and maintain them, and specific volunteer needs they have. Specific trails to be covered include the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), Border Route Trail (BRT), Kekekabic Trail (KEK), North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT), Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT), and other BWCAW hiking trails.
Chainsaw & Crosscut Saw Training
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023 (Chainsaw training) and Sunday, April 23, 2023 (Crosscut saw training) - these are two separate trainings and volunteers are not required to attend both days.
Location: Rum River North County Park, 23100 Rum River Blvd NW, St Francis, MN 55070
Description: Chainsaw and crosscut saw training in the Twin Cities area has been set! The training is currently open to NPS VIPs with SHTA, BRTA, and two NCTA chapters (ARW and KEK). Because seats are limited, depending on the number of individuals who sign up, I may reach out and ask you to prioritize those who are attending from your group.
Prerequisites to attend training:
Completion of the NPS VIP volunteer sign-up process. Information about the sign-up process can be found on NCTA's website: https://northcountrytrail.org/volunteer/volunteer-resource-center/nps-vip-form/. If you have any questions about the process, please reach out and I'm happy to walk you through it.
Completion of Trail Safe!, an online self-paced safety training. At the bottom of the website, instructions are provided on how to receive credit by emailing daniel_watson@nps.gov.
Up-to-date first aid and CPR training. There must be an in-person component to the training, whether it's 100% in-person or blended (part online, part in-person.) American Heart Association and American Red Cross are the most recognized organizations for first aid and CPR training. When completed or if you are already certified, please email me a copy of your certificate.
Sign Up Link: https://forms.office.com/g/EpayKVJsBf
Deadline to Sign Up is February 6 - after that, remaining seats will open to other NPS VIPS on a first come, first served basis.
Contact:
Nicole Loiseau, Volunteer Program Manager
North Country National Scenic Trail, National Park Service
616-302-9842
BWCAW Trails Kickoff
We are invited to attend and participate in an event planned by the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC) called the BWCAW Trail Alliance Kickoff. In past events, each BWCAW trail organization (BRTA, Kek, NCTA, and BWAC) have had the opportunity to present on their respective focus and plans for the upcoming year. Rod Markin, BWAC President, would like to add an opportunity for round table discussion on mutual issues across trail organizations, such as crew leader training, land manager relations, volunteer recruitment methods, etc. They’ve lined up a keynote speaker at the event - BJ Kohlstedt, former Emergency Management Director for Lake County. And they will be serving PIZZA. Please register on BWACs Meetup to allow an accurate number for the food order!
CPR & First Aid Training
There will be a one-day basic first aid & CPR training with a “wilderness emphasis” available to our volunteers this upcoming March in the Twin Cities. This course will cover the requirements for the Basic First Aid & CPR certification but also cover info that volunteers are likely to encounter out in the woods where calling 911 isn't the best option. The NCTA is prioritizing the first ~ 20 VIP sawyer/swamper volunteers and will cover the cost directly.
Email us for additional details and the sign up link at info@borderroutetrail.org.
February Board Meeting
Join us for our February Board Meeting. Visitors are welcomed and encouraged and our board meetings are open to all interested in hiking, maintaining, and promoting the Border Route Trail.
Items for this months meeting agenda will include:
Welcoming new attendees
Upcoming Events + Clearing Trips
Volunteer Recruitment + Management
Roundtable Reports from all Directors
Approval of Treasurer Report + Meeting Minutes
Email info@borderroutetrail.org with any questions!
Join us on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81920441279?pwd=L0IzK2VYSXMrVHRvZCtrUWQ2TWNsUT09
Meeting ID: 819 2044 1279
Passcode: 755110
January Board Meeting
Join us at our January Board Meeting. Visitors are welcomed and encouraged. Our board meetings are open to all those interested in hiking, maintaining, and promoting the trail.
We welcome your comments, questions, and encourage any input to proposed improvements in our processes.
Items for this month’s meeting agenda will include welcoming new attendees, roundtable reports, a Q&A style discussion with Derrick Passe from the Kekekabic Trail Chapter of the NCTA, approval of the prior month’s minutes, Treasurer’s Report, and Upcoming Projects for 2023.
This will be a fully virtual meeting. Here are the zoom details:
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2289093220?pwd=YWhCWTRGL1Q4S0lnNlZaY1QvYUdLQT09
Meeting ID: 228 909 3220
Passcode: 665628
2023 Annual Meeting
If you're curious about the Border Route Trail, considered by many to be the most scenic section of the 4600+ mile North Country National Scenic Trail, we welcome you to join us at the Border Route Trail Association Annual Meeting to be held by Zoom this year.
Our guest speaker is Jen Theisen, aka Wandering Pine. Jen Theisen is a Minnesota based artist and adventurer celebrating the intersection of art, nature and joy! Her aim is to inspire, educate and empower others on and off the trail through creating supportive experiences and sharing her contagious enthusiasm. She blends her passion for fostering community, advocacy and experience as an outdoor educator by serving as a volunteer leader in three outdoor organizations and by hosting in-person + online events and workshops.
“I believe in the ripple effect, that small changes can make a big difference, and that we all play a part in taking care of each other and the earth.”
You can learn more about Jen's adventures at wanderingpine.com and @wandering.pine.
The BRTA Annual Meeting is a free event open to all those interested in hiking, maintaining, and promoting the Border Route Trail.
Meeting Agenda:
Brief Intro and history of the Border Route Trail and the BRTA
Election of directors and officers.
Feature Presentation
This is a virtual meeting. Here are the zoom meeting details:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83392377270?pwd=cGZ4ZVpDY3laZDJveHY2SW5KVHVHdz09
Meeting ID: 833 9237 7270
Passcode: 048707
BRTA Board Meeting
Please join us at our November/December Board Meeting. Visitors are welcomed and encouraged. Our board meetings are open to all those interested in hiking, maintaining, and promoting the trail.
We welcome your comments, questions, and encourage any input to proposed improvements in our processes.
Items for this month’s meeting agenda will include welcoming new attendees, approval of the prior month’s minutes, Treasurer’s Report, Trip Reports, Trail Conditions, and Upcoming Projects for 2023.
This will be a hybrid meeting, with an in-person option in St. Paul, MN and the option to join virtually. Here are the zoom details:
In-person Meeting Address: 2132 Inglehart Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86935063731?pwd=blJhY08zelBJWjZkYnFTdVhQSnN2QT09
Meeting ID: 869 3506 3731
Passcode: 050591
September Board Meeting
Join the BRTA at our September Board meeting! he BRTA board meetings are open to all those interested in hiking, maintaining, and promoting the trail. We welcome your comments, questions, and encourage any input to proposed improvements in our processes!
Items for this month’s meeting agenda will include welcoming new attendees, approval of the prior month’s minutes, Treasurer’s Report, Trip Reports, Trail Conditions, and Upcoming Projects for 2022.
If you can’t make it in person, we’ll provide a zoom link as well, just sign up below to receive it. Hope to see you there!
Monthly Board Meeting
Please join us at the Border Route Trail Association August 2022 Board Meeting. Visitors are welcome. The BRTA board meetings are open to all those interested in hiking, maintaining, and promoting the trail. We welcome your comments, questions, and encourage any input to proposed improvements in our processes.
Items for this month’s meeting agenda will include welcoming new attendees, approval of the prior month’s minutes, Treasurer’s Report, Trip Reports, Trail Conditions, and Upcoming Projects for 2022.
This will be a Live and Zoom meeting.
Brian Hanson, BRTA President
Link to the Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6862357834?pwd=YVBuK2lwVklZZUFGcFd0YWNiaEUzZz09
Meeting ID: 686 235 7834
Passcode: 8Ucy4B
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,6862357834#,,,,,,0#,,470032# US (New York)
+13017158592,,6862357834#,,,,,,0#,,470032# US (Washington D.C)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 686 235 7834
Passcode: 470032
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kd4VKmZv0v
East End Bridge Repair - Portage Brook and Stump River
Border Route Trail crews needed. East end Trip now rescheduled for August 19 through 21 with two or three day options available. Limited to 18 Hikers and crew members.
Hiking and deadfall sweep on the Border Route Trail East end just outside the BWCA Wilderness. Using hand and some power tools. Lots of hiking on the BRT overlooking famous South Fowl Lake and the Pigeon River. As an added bonus we will install the New North Country Scenic Trail signage along the BRT from the Eastern terminus, to McFarland Lake and the entrance to the BWCA portion of BRT. This section should be in fair condition after last years major clearing and brushing expedition.
Vehicle based camping near the work area at a designated USFS or DNR site near McFarland Lake, Arrowhead Trail, Cook County, MN. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning and dinner Friday and Saturday evening included ( two breakfasts, two dinners). Lunch and snacks are on your own. Be prepared for cool evenings and moderate day work conditions near the Canadian border.
Please sign up using the form below: