2021- 2023 Work Plan

Goals, Priorities and Projects | Bayfield Area Trails

Maintain and Enhance Existing Trails

• Develop standard Bayfield Area Trails signage.
• Install standard Bayfield Area Trails signage on Big Ravine Trails.
• Complete Big Ravine trailhead improvements.
• Replace boardwalk above Big Ravine waterfall.
• Big Ravine West Side: Install boardwalk to address wet sections of Striped Skunk Trail
• Maintain Jerry Jay Jolly Trails.
• Pursue new Brownstone Trail re-route to avoid highway 13 curve.
• Explore purchase of Maki property and long-term remedy of Brownstone Trail slump.
• Renovate Bayfield’s Memorial Park walkway.
• Volunteer assistance to the NPS on the Lakeshore Trail at Meyers Beach.
• Support continued improvements to Ashwabay nordic trails.
• Assess condition and needed improvements of Raspberry River Trails.

Develop New Connections

• Construct the Hemlock Heights connection in the Big Ravine.
• Extend the Gil Larsen Trail in the Big Ravine. 
• Continue to explore the school trail connection in the Big Ravine.
• Map the route to connect the hatchery to AWB trails; initiate permitting.
• Work with willing landowners to establish trail connections on Bayfield Hill and Orchards.
• Identify additional trail connections within the City to Big Ravine and Brownstone Trails.
• Continue to explore trail connection from Bayfield to Brickyard Creek and Red Cliff.
• Initiate Fire Tower Hill recreation plan.
• Support scoping for connections between AWB and Valhalla.
• Collaborate with North Coast Cycling Association & CAMBA on expanding biking opportunities.
• Develop funding needs list for land acquisitions and easements.
• Include trail networking in local plans.
• Explore trail opportunities at Lake of the Clouds/Pratt Peak.
• Investigate expanding water trails.

Communication & Outreach

• Promote responsible use and resource stewardship.
• Maintain and grow online presence through website, Facebook page, Instagram, etc.
• Improve availability of map information through website, QR codes, 3rd party apps., etc.
• Implement standard signage at trailheads and along trails.
• Establish a small communications team.
• Develop a communications plan to define goals, audiences, messages, and implementation.
• Continue to implement communication automation.
• Strengthen coordination with user groups and other trails-related organizations.
• Participate in wayfinding plan for City of Bayfield.
• Conduct annual Trails Forums to share information and build support.

Build Capacity and a Sustainable Organization

• Recruit and train volunteers for trail projects and the Bayfield Area Trails organization.
• Pursue opportunities to recruit younger volunteers for long-term continuity.
• Maintain and expand volunteer roster and coordination procedures.
• Establish volunteer policies and procedures with an emphasis on safety and responsible use.
• Establish standard project planning guidance and checklists.
• Implement routine trail monitoring program using volunteers.
• Pursue internships with Northland college and other institutions.
• Pursue funding for trail crew through Americorps.
• Develop and maintain a funding needs list focused on trail projects.
• Establish agreement(s) for managing finances on multi-partner projects.
• Expand volunteer support to the BAT organization through subcommittees.
• Establish administrative support for record-keeping and financial tracking.

Projects

2021 Project List

​We have a full slate of project work lined up for 2021. Click the button below to view the full list.

VIEW 2021 PROJECT LIST

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Proposed Future Trails 

VIEW DETAILED MAP OF PROPOSED TRAILS

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​Several new trails are being considered in the continued quest to create a unified trail system on the Bayfield Peninsula. The vision for each trail area is described below the map.

​​​​​Fire Tower Hill & Bayfield Hill Orchard Connections: We envision developing trail connections from the Big Ravine Preserve trail network to the orchards on Betzold Road and County J. This could create exciting opportunities for multi-mile loops, starting from the City of Bayfield and spending a day of walking up through the Big Ravine, visiting orchards, and exploring the newly acquired County lands on Fire Tower Hill. Developing these trails will require working cooperatively with willing landowners to establish public trail easements while respecting their private property. If this vision comes to fruition, one could hike as much as a 12-mile loop through the course of a day.​

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​​​​Bayfield to Dalrymple: We envision a foot trail connecting from the lake access area at the end of Washington Ave. in the City of Bayfield along the lakeshore to Dalrymple Campground. This .5-mile trail was identified as a priority in the City’s Waterfront Plan in 2003. Not only would this add a pleasant walking trail in a natural setting in the City, but more importantly, it would enable campers to walk into the City without having to use the road shoulder on busy Highway 13. This trail would traverse very steep and thickly vegetated hillside for much of its route, posing substantial challenges to layout and construction. Additionally, trail easements need to be established across private property in cooperative manner. Therefore, we propose starting first with a short 600-foot segment that could be easily constructed from the edge of the beach to a series of rocky points along the lakeshore. Even this short segment would provide a nice walk and views of the Lake for citizens and visitors. ​

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​​​​Pike’s Bay to Salmo: This trail connection depends upon the restoration of the Brownstone Trail. The vision for this section would be to connect the Brownstone Trail to the Pike’s Creek Fish Hatchery via the Salmo Trail. It would require significant cooperation with private landowners at Pike’s Bay and Port Superior.

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​​Pike's Creek Fish Hatchery to Mt. Ashwabay: This potential foot trail would connect from the existing trail at the Pike’s Creek Fish Hatchery on Highway 13 to the Jolly Loop Trail at Mount Ashwabay. It would travel about 1.5 miles across Department of Natural Resources land along Pike’s Creek and then climb into the forested benches above the creek. It would provide an exciting connection that could be enjoyed throughout the year by hikers, fishermen, bird watchers, skiers, and snowshoers. ​​