After the Pagami Creek Fire: Rebuilding the Powwow Trail

In 2011, the Pagami Creek Fire reshaped more than 90,000 acres of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of the most iconic and remote landscapes in the Midwest. The fire burned through much of the land surrounding the Powwow Trail, a challenging backpacking route prized for its long stretches of wilderness travel and hard-earned views, leaving it impassable and forever changed. Fifteen years later, the forest is regrowing and the Powwow Trail is once again open to hikers willing to go deep into the Boundary Waters. Join us for an inside look at the Pagami Creek Fire and the extraordinary, boots-on-the-ground effort to bring this trail back to life. Hear firsthand stories from those who led and completed the restoration, learn how wildfire reshapes wilderness, and gain a deeper appreciation for what it takes to steward trails in places where nature still calls the shots. Whether you dream of backpacking the Boundary Waters or care about the future of wild places, this presentation offers a rare window into resilience, recovery and the power of community in the outdoors. About our speaker: Martin Kubik is a lifelong advocate for hiking trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and a founding force behind multiple trail and conservation organizations, including the Kekekabic Trail Club and Boundary Waters Heritage Trails. His decades of leadership and hands-on experience bring the story of the Powwow Trail’s recovery vividly to life.