Bayfield Area Trails Accomplishments

We have accomplished so much over the past few years thanks to your support and participation! We've listed some of the accomplishments below. 

Maintain & Enhance Existing Trails

2021

• Installed standard Bayfield Area Trails signage on Big Ravine Trails. 
• Completed Big Ravine trailhead improvements. 
• Big Ravine West Side: Installed boardwalk to address wet sections of Striped Skunk Trail 
• Volunteer assistance to the NPS on the Lakeshore Trail at Meyers Beach.  

2022

• Developed standard Bayfield Area Trails signage. 
• Maintained Jerry Jay Jolly Trails. Added Overlook Loop, including boardwalk and footbridge; replaced bridge on main trail; added directional signage.
• Big Ravine Gil Larsen Trail: Reconstructed boardwalk and stone steps above the waterfall.
• Constructed new Brownstone Trail re-route to avoid highway 13 curve. 
• Explored purchase of Maki property and long-term remedy of Brownstone Trail slump. 
• Renovated Bayfield’s Memorial Park walkway.  
• Assessed condition and needed improvements of Raspberry River Trails. 2022 - Deemed impassable due to extensive timber blowdown
• Acquired the Big Ravine headwaters and initiated trails. 2022 - Land acquired and trails started

2023

• Big Ravine Trails: 
  • Gil Larsen Trail: Repaired and capped posts on lower boardwalk; added railing to stairway at first creek crossing; enhanced second creek crossing with large stepping stones; added steps on both banks at second creek crossing; reconstructed stairway upstream from the Iron Bridge intersection.
  • Lower Sweeny Switchback Trail: Added footbridge and box steps.
  • Pine Bluff Trail: Mitigated erosion issues by adding armoring in trail tread and improving drainage.
  • School Trail: Hillside restoration and stabilization on the slope at the top of the hill; added erosion control and rock armoring in gully below the outflow pipe from the school.
• Hatchery to Mt. Ashwabay Trail: Now called the Pileated Woodpecker Trail
  • Bridge across Pikes Creek: Cleared access on both sides of creek; purchased and installed bridge.
  • Constructed footbridge, boardwalks, and box steps across floodplain.
  • Constructed 1.1-mile-long upper section of trail to connect to Mt. Ashwabay trailhead; constructed footbridge across drainage on this section.
  • Ordered and installed directional signage.
  •  “Finish” and drainage work on trail: Carried into 2024 due to excessively wet conditions in the fall. 
  • Routine mowing on connecting hiking trails: Carried into 2024
• Brownstone Trail: 
  • Property purchase completed and ownership transferred to Bayfield County. 
  • Repaired drainage swale and restored trail at the south end of Fifth St.
  • Added box steps at the south end of Fifth St.
  • Replenished gravel on the trail next to steps south of Blue Wing Bay Rd. and below Wild Rice Retreat. Cleared drainage ditches to facilitate water movement.
• Siskiwit Preserve: Cleared and improved orchard trails; constructed stone steps along river; added box steps and improved trails adjacent to river on both sides.
• Trail marking/blazing: Assessed trails to determine needs for improved marking with blazing or signs – Carried into 2024
• Frog Bay: Maintenance, if Red Cliff TNR requests assistance – Carried into 2024
• Jerry Jolly Trails: Re-establish the trail connection from the “Overlook” to the Jolly Long. On hold, pending County approval.

Plan & Develop New Trails

2021

• Established a consistent approach for working with willing landowners on trail crossings and easements, including agreements, signage, monitoring, and communications. 
• Constructed the Hemlock Heights connection in the Big Ravine. 
• Extended the Gil Larsen Trail in the Big Ravine. 
• Constructed the school trail connection in the Big Ravine. 

2022

• Mapped the route to connect the hatchery to AWB trails; initiate permitting.  New trail approved by DNR and phase 1 of trail construction completed.
• Big Ravine Headwaters: Land purchased and ownership transferred to the Town of Bayfield. Initiated planning for trails network.

2023

• Big Ravine Headwaters: 
  • Cleared and developed trails from Meyers-Olson Rd. to pond overlook, Bayfield Winery, and Gracie’s Trail.
  • Built viewing platform overlooking the pond.
  • Installed directional signs.
  • Installed kiosk with orientation and interpretive signage at trailhead and viewing platform.
• Fire Tower Hill: Planning initiated by County. Carried forward into 2024.
• Big Ravine: Explore potential connecting trail routes in and around the Big Ravine network, including to Brownstone.
• ​“Sweeny Loop” identified: construction proposed for 2024.
• Red Cliff Trails Plan: Under Red Cliff leadership, pursue TAP funding for a trails plan, including Red Cliff to Bayfield link. TAP grant approved: planning to be done in 2024 by contractor.
• Bayfield Area Trails “master plan”: Develop plan with input from Trails Forum & Trail User Survey. Ongoing
• Bayfield Hill, Orchards, & surroundings: Continue to explore and map potential trail connection routes; seek landowner permissions. Ongoing
• Pratt’s Peak: Develop trails if deemed acceptable. On hold.

Communication & Outreach

2021

• Established a communications team. 
• Developed a communications plan to define goals, audiences, messages, and implementation. 

2022 - 2023

• Annual Trails Forum: Held an annual meeting to share information and build long-term support/capacity. Done on 5/6/23; Planned for 6/1 -2, 2024.
• Recruit Volunteers: Added members to diversify and strengthen the Communications Sub-Committee. Ongoing
• Survey: Conduct Trail User Survey and Socioeconomic Study: Grants received: survey carried into 2024.
• Online Mapping: Improved availability of online map information. Ongoing: ad hoc subcommittee established under Trails Subcommittee.  
• Stewardship: Continued to promote responsible use and resource stewardship (RESPECT Campaign). Ongoing
• Online & Social Media: Maintained presence through website, blogs, Facebook page, Instagram, etc. Ongoing.
• Engagement: Establish mechanism for ongoing input/engagement in trails planning, volunteerism, & stewardship.  Not initiated. Carried forward into 2024.
• Creative: Developed capacity for graphics, signage, photography, and content for website. Carried forward into 2024.
• Outreach: Explored celebrating trails through photography & art: collaborate with Bayfield Artists Guild and Cheq. Bay Arts Council. Deferred indefinitely.

Build Capacity and a Sustainable Organization

2021

• Established volunteer policies and procedures with an emphasis on safety and responsible use. 
• Established standard project planning guidance and checklists.  
• Expanded volunteer support to the BAT organization through subcommittees 
• Trails and Communications Subcommittees established.

2022

• Established agreement(s) for managing finances on multi-partner projects.  Agreement Established with Recreation and Fitness Resources
  
  
• Volunteers: Expanded volunteer roster and coordination; recruit younger volunteers for long-term continuity.  More volunteers signed up on 2023. Continue to recruit with focus on younger membership.

​2023

• Adopt-a-Trail Program:  Enhanced program to conduct routine trail monitoring and maintenance; implement blazing as needed. Streamlined and put online. Under full leadership of TsC
• Chainsaw Program: Continued this educational program. Ongoing
• Policies & Procedures: Established and expanded volunteer policies and procedures; volunteer release forms; emphasize safety and responsible use.  Program streamlined by online volunteer release form. 
• Project Management: Established policies and procedures for standard project scheduling and planning: guidance, checklists, annual cycle. Ongoing as part of developing the Operations Manual.
• Multi-year Planning: Created planning process that identifies priorities, timelines, and resources needed for implementation. Carried forward into 2024.
• Organizational Sustainability: Strengthened and expanded self-sustaining Communications and Trails Subcommittees. TsC strengthened, expanded, & organized thanks to leadership from Kris Wegerson, John Ipsen, & Genevieve Johnson. 
• Staffing: Established a BAT Committee “Secretary” position that is responsible for minutes, record keeping: carried into 2024