Banadad and Adjoining Ski Trails
2010 Trail Plan

I. BANADAD TRAIL ASSOCIATION (BTA)

After twenty years of managing the Banadad Ski Trail, Boundary Country Trekking
has turned over the trail’s management duties to the recently formed Banadad Trail
Association (BTA). The mission of the Association is to maintain and enhance the
Banadad Ski Trail, preserve the history of the forest and the trail, promote the
appreciation and care of wilderness lands that the trail runs through, and ensure that the
Banadad Trail is preserved and continued for future generations.

Since its’ founding meeting on February 14, 2009, the BTA has actively undertaken
oversight of the Banadad Trail. The BTA has an eleven member board of directors
composed of residents from within and outside of Cook County. The full board meets
quarterly, either by conference call or in person on the Gunflint Trail. In addition to
full board meetings, numerous committees have met many times to establish a website,
membership recruitment strategies, and general operation of the trail. The Association’s
Board is in the process of preparing documentation for submission to the Internal
Revenue Service for non-profit status as a 501(c)(3) corporation and plans to submit
this application in spring 2010.

This year BTA members and volunteers staffed a booth at the Midwest Mountaineering
Winter Expo in Minneapolis (November 2009), distributed over 500 brochures, created
a website, and are currently planning a long-term membership recruitment plan. The
BTA recruited volunteers for trail maintenance in fall 2009. When the trail was
seriously damaged and closed due to heavy snow in January 2010, board members
responded quickly with volunteers and donations to clean up the trail - reopening the
trail a little over a week after the storm. BTA secured grants from the Department of
Natural Resources and the United States Forest Service for trail maintenance projects.

Banadad Trail Association Board of Directors
Officers:
Karen Monsen, President- Stillwater, MN, mons0122@umn.edu
Linda Bosma, Vice President- Minneapolis, MN, inda@bosmaconsulting.com
Karla Miller, Treasurer, Duluth, MN, dakar07@charter.net
Barb Bottger, Secretary, Gunflint Trail, MN, jbbottger@boreal.org

At-Large Board Members
Peter Spink- Plymouth and Gunflint Trail, MN
Wayne Monsen- Stillwater, MN
Jim Morrison- Gunflint Trail, MN
Anne Rykkan- St. Paul, MN
Chris Matter- Hudson, WI
Tom Rice – Shoreview, MN
John Bottger- Gunflint Trail, MN

Contact Information
bta@boreal.org

P.O. Box 436
Grand Marais, MN 55604
Website- www.banadad.org
The Banadad Trail Association has contracted1 with Boundary Country Trekking
(BCT) to provide the trail’s maintenance and grooming services. BCT can be reached
at 218-388-4487/email bct@boundarycountry.com.

II. BACKGROUND ON THE BANADAD TRAIL SYSTEM

The Banadad Ski Trail System is a public ski trail managed by the Banadad Trail
Association, under an agreement with the Gunflint Ranger District (USFS) and the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Minnesota Ski Pass and BWCA Day
Permit are required to ski the Banadad Trail System. Free public parking is provided at
the trail’s eastern and western trailheads.

The Banadad Trail System consists of the 30 kilometer Banadad Trail, an intimate trail
through the Boundary Waters Wilderness, and another 13 kilometers of trails (Lace
Lake, Tim Knopp, Seppala and the new Tall Pines Trails) located at the Banadad's
eastern end. All the trails are single tracked. The Banadad Trail was originally
constructed as a series of logging roads in the fifties and sixties. As a result the trail is
blessed with a good gravel roadbed. All but one of five original bridges along the
Banadad have been replaced over the years. Skiers now bypass the one bridge
that has not been replaced.

The other trails in the Banadad Trail System were constructed as ski trails over the past twenty years.
T\he old Finn Lake and Tucker Lake logging roads that were to become the
Banadad Ski Trail were cleared by the Gunflint Ranger District, USFS staff in
1982 and 1983 at the request of winter resorts on the Gunflint Trail. Area resorts
first groomed the trail in 1982. The construction and grooming of this trail
was authorized under two provisions in the 1978 Boundary Waters Act that called
for the construction of recreational trails including, ski trails, within the BWCA
and allowed grooming by snowmobile of some of these ski trails.

The Banadad Trails are centrally located along the 200-kilometer Gunflint Nordic
Trails. The eastern end of the Banadad connects with the Central Gunflint Trails and at
the western end skiers must walk along the Gunflint Trail 1/8 of mile to the Loon Lake
Landing where they can then ski into the Upper Gunflint Trail System.
There are six USFS BWCA Day Permit boxes along the Banadad Trail. Two permit
boxes are located at or near the eastern trailhead, and the others at Swamp Lake
Portage, Lizz Lake Portage and the western trailhead. Boundary Country Trekking
collects permits at the eastern and western trailhead boxes and supplies all the permit
boxes along the trail with permits during the winter. For the maintenance of these
boxes BCT exchanges their winter Guide Packer Permit fee with the USFS in lieu of
cash. The BWCA Day Permits are used to determine the number of skier days each
winter.

The major problem facing the trail is the annual accumulation of brush. Much of this
brush grows several feet per year. This problem is particularly acute near the remote
interior center of the trail where traveling to the work areas is extremely difficult. This
problem is now being addressed through the “Remote Interior Widening Project2." This
project was initiated in 2005. (More detail on this project appears later in this
document.)

While Nordic Skiing is normally considered an eco-friendly sport, the Banadad Trail
System continues to take this one step further. Three years ago the Banadad Trails
became, what we believe to be, the nation's first carbon neutral ski trail.3 The BTA is
committed to continuing this tradition.

III. Review of the 2009-2010 Season

Certainly the most significant event in recent years is that of the Banadad Trail
Association taking over the management of the trail. Other milestones along the
Banadad this past year include:

• With the help of a Minnesota DNR Capital Improvement Grant the 3-kilometer 

• Tall Pines Trail surface was graded with a bulldozer. This enabled

the opening of the entire Tall Pines Trail.

• A new parking area that accommodates four cars was opened and

maintained on the trail’s east end.

• At the eastern trailhead a kiosk was installed with trail maps, trail

information and a BWCA permit box.

• At the western end, near the permit box, a post was added with trail maps

and trail information.

•  Signage was installed for the new Tall Pines Trail.

III. 2008-09 Accomplishments

• Seventeen volunteers from the Banadad Trail Association, North Star Ski

Touring Club (NSSTC), and Adventure Vacations (a Twin Cities adventure
Travel company) worked on the Trail in fall 2009, contributing a combined
total of 225 hours of volunteer labor. Without these volunteers, it is doubtful
that the trail could be maintained.

• BCT’s paid staff logged over 200 hours maintaining and 115 hours

grooming the Trail.

• Ninety-four additional hours of volunteer and paid labor was a record, reopening

the trail following the late January 2010 ice/snow storm.

• Remote Interior Widening
• A six person Minnesota Conservation Corp (MCC) crew worked for eight

days widening remote areas of the Banadad. The crew camped along the
trail and hiked the entire west end of the Banadad. They removed most of
the large trees that had fallen on to the west end of the trail and widened two
remote interior miles.

•  BCT’s paid staff widened a quarter of a mile of the trail’s eastern end.

• Vegetation Management

• Three hundred red and white pine trees were planted along the southeast

side of the Tall Pines Trail.

IV. Projects and Plans

2010 Projects and work plans5 (Note: underlined items indicate BTA
projects not yet funded or secured. Except when outside contractors are used all
costs are based on the Minnesota DNR “allowable cost.”)
1. Remote Interior Trail Widening: The BTA plans to widen approximately 1½ miles
of trail near the Banadad Bridge. Widening will require 120-150 hours of labor.6
Recommendation- BTA requests Minnesota Conservation Corps crew (MCC) for
up to eight days. Crew will canoe in and camp on Rush Lake. Seeking MCC crew
for six to eight days, canoes and $300 for BCT to provide logistical support to
MCC Crew. Timeline: Summer/Fall 2010.


2. Remote Interior Widening: The BTA plans to widen a ½-mile section just west of
“Moon Lake” Bridge.7
Recommendation- BTA will direct BCT to secure a private contractor for project
estimated at $1000 for project. Timeline: Spring or Fall 2010.

3. Remote Interior Widening: The BTA will widen 1/10 of a mile east of west end
Recommendation – BTA will contract with BCT to provide its’ grooming staff to
widen this short section during grooming runs. Estimated cost $160.
Timeline: March or early winter 2010.

4. Remote Interior Widening: The BTA will widen 2/5 of a mile from the western
end of the Banadad to just east of the second beaver pond9.
Recommendation - BTA will direct BCT to secure a private contractor for project
using the balance of the Minnesota DNR Capital Improvements Grant to fund
project. Estimated cost $1000. Timeline: Summer/Fall 2010.

5. Mowing on east end of Banadad Trail outside of BWCA (USFS Land): The BTA
proposes mowing four miles of this section with a brush hog.
Recommendation- BTA seeking up to $600 to fund project. Timeline: Fall 2010.

6. Install new signage and map at junction of Lace Lake and Central Gunflint’s Poplar
Creek Trail on state land.Recommendation- BTA Volunteers and BCT staff will complete. Estimated cost
$100 funded by BTA from DNR Grant-in-Aid. Timeline: Summer 2010.

7. Reroute 150 foot section of the Lace Lake Trail (on State Land): Planned
Reroute near west end south side of the Lace Lake Trail would avoid large
rocks. Two people using chainsaws estimated at about 8 hrs.
Recommendation- BTA Volunteers and BCT staff to complete. Estimated cost
$250 funded by BTA from DNR Grant-in-Aid. Timeline: Fall 2010.

8. Reroute the west end Trailhead to ensure continued access to the Banadad, direct
connection with the Upper Gunflint Trails and provide a larger and safer parking
area. Recommendation – The BTA will continue working with the USFS on this project
with the objective of locating a route in 2010. Timeline: On going.

9. Widen and clear the a two-mile long section on the west end of Banadad going east
from the Dawkins Bridge. This is a proactive effort, since this section is not
currently heavily overgrown at present; current work in 2010 will preempt the need
for more costly and labor-intensive work later on. Recommendation- The BTA will seek a Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) crew with
coordination and logistics support provided by BCT. Seeking YCC crew and $200
for project. Timeline: Summer 2010.

10. Provide and coordinate regular maintenance by BTA Volunteers Hand Labor
Crews. The BTA will recruit up to 30 volunteers to work over 3 fall weekends.
Volunteer crews will concentrate on the west end of the Banadad and inward up to
three miles from trailhead; the east end from Winchell Lake Fire Trail west for up
to 2 miles; and the Lace Lake and Tall Pines Trails.Recommendation- BTA will seek $1500
to support logistics, coordination, projects
and supervision for BTA Volunteers and BCT staff through Minnesota DNR Grantin-
Aid funds. Timeline: Fall 2010.

11. Inspect bridges at the beaver pond creek west of Winchell Lake Fire Trail and north
of Moon Lake. Both Bridges are 12’ in length.
Recommendation-The BTA will direct BCT staff to inspect the bridges while
supervising the volunteer trail crew working on that portion of the trail.
Timeline: Fall 2010.

12. Vegetation management: The BTA plans to plant 500 trees along Tall Pines Trail
near Yurt, at the east intersection of Tall Pines and Lace Lake Trails, and by the
gravel pit on the Lace Lake Trail. All the planting is on Minnesota State land.
Recommendation- BCT staff and volunteers will plant trees; the estimated cost of
$250 is budgeted in the BTA for continuing the Banadad as a Carbon Neutral
Trail. Timeline: Early May 2010.

13. Treat 50 yards patch of Canadian Thistle along Tall Pines Trail.
Recommendation- BTA will direct BCT to kill thistle using herbicides and remove
and burn dead plants as prescribed by the Cook County Extension Office,
estimated cost of $50. Timeline: Spring/Early summer 2010.

14. Administrative-Update and reprint Banadad Trail Maps and Brochures.
Recommendation- Estimated cost of $500 paid by BTA. Timeline: Fall 2010 and
ongoing as needed.

15. Regular Maintenance/Grooming by BCT staff. Ongoing to open and groom the
Banadad Trail for skiing throughout the season.Recommendation- Estimated cost of approximately $7000 paid from DNR Grantin-
Aid, BTA and BCT. Timeline: 2010-2011. Continuous annually (contract
between BTA and BCT to be renegotiated on an annual basis determined by
available funding and conditions.)

2011 Projects
• Complete project not completed from the 2010 Trail Plan.
• Repair Banadad Bridge
• Remote Interior Trail Widening Projects (USFS Land): on going project with a
goal of widening another 1 to 2 miles of the Banadad during 2011.
• Moose Trail: mow with brush hog for 4 ½ miles.
• BTA Volunteers: recruit up to 30 volunteers over 3 fall weekends for maintenance
projects identified annually.
• Continue to work on west end trail reroute and parking area. (USFS Land)
• Replace the two bridges inspected last season if necessary (secure or raise
necessary funds).
• Continue tree planting with location to be determined.
• Continue regular maintenance and grooming regime.

2012 Projects

• Complete projects not completed from the 2011 Trail Plan.
• Remote Interior Trail Widening Projects (USFS Land): on going project with a
goal of widening another 1 to 2 miles of trail.
• Lace Lake Trail (State Land): mow with brush hog for 2 1/2 miles.
• BTA Volunteers: recruit up to 30 volunteers over 3 fall weekends.
• Continue to work on west end trail reroute and parking area. (USFS Land)
• Continue tree planting with location to be determined.
• Reprint Trail Maps.
• Continue tree planting with location to be determined.
• Continue regular maintenance and grooming regime.

V. Other Concerns to consider

• Trail Volunteers . In the past the USFS provide Workmen’s Compensation
coverage for trail volunteers. The BTA needs to ensure that this coverage will
continue.

• USFS’s Mead’s and Dawkin’s Prescribed Burns. It is our understanding that these
and other “Blow-Down” prescribed burns are currently on hold for review by the
USFS. However BTA remains concerned about the Meads and Dawkins prescribed
burns and any future prescribed burns along the Banadad. We feel that if any
portion of the trail where conifers have displaced side brush is burned, it will negate
all our efforts to replace the side brush with conifers. If these conifers are burned,
we will be faced with more brush and such burns will detract from the natural
beauty of the trail.

It should also be noted that there has been good natural regeneration of young white
pine and cedar along the trail where the Meads prescribed burn is planned. Any
burn in this area is certainly going to destroy this new generation of trees.

• May 2007 Ham Lake Fire. This fire burned across 6/10ths of a mile of the Banadad
Trail’s eastern end, eight miles west of the eastern trailhead. This burn was in a 50
to 60 year old red pines plantation. The trees that were killed in this fire will likely
present a problem in the future as they rot and fall across the trail. Also, the
elimination of the forest canopy exposing this portion of the trail to more direct
sunlight has resulted in the proliferation of brush and weeds. This Trail section is
likely going to require special maintenance treatment in the near future.