Blog - Bayfield Area Trails

Gearing Up for the 2021 Field Season

4/6/2021

We have revised and posted the Bayfield Area Trails Work Plan to improve and expand our trails and to build a sustainable organization. The plan incorporates many of the ideas received through the recent Community Survey. While the plan looks ambitious, we are energized by all of the folks who are stepping up as volunteers. This paints a promising and optimistic picture for Bayfield Area Trails. To help folks with marking calendars, we’ve listed the 2021 Volunteer Trail Projects planned for each month, starting with posting Big Ravine trail signs and general trail clean-up in April. More information will follow as we zero in on specific dates initiate volunteer recruitment. We hope you’ll join us!

Trail volunteer dumping a wheelbarrow of dirt.

Bayfield Area Trails Community Survey Results Report

2/17/2021

In late December and early January, Bayfield Area Trails conducted a community survey to help guide our 2021 priorities and develop our volunteer work plans. We want to thank the forty-six respondents for providing their feedback on favorite trails and recreational uses, opportunities for more trails and network connections, and how to improve our communications and outreach. We are excited that 93% of respondents would like to volunteer as well as contribute special skills and equipment such as woodworking, excavating, GPS/GIS, and grant writing. Read the survey results report here:

Click to view a larger image.

Read the Full Report

Since most people expressed a willingness to donate funds, Bayfield Area Trails plans to follow-up with a request for donations once we have finalized our 2021 work plans. Also, due to the high level of interest, we will likely re-run the survey when the trail field season is in full swing this summer.

We are interested in your thoughts. Click the button below to provide feedback on the report.

Send Feedback on the Report

Phase I of Restoration Work Complete at the Historic Iron Bridge

12/7/2020

Starting on Saturday December 5th, volunteers began efforts to restore the view of Bayfield’s Historic Iron Bridge at the Gil Larsen Trailhead on Washington Ave. This phase of the work is now complete thanks to the help of 12 community volunteers who dedicated 60 hours of time cutting and clearing trees and brush.

This sets the stage for restoring the creek bottom with native species. The cut stumps will be carefully treated by mid-December with an herbicide. The first round of planting and continued invasive species control will occur in Spring/Summer of 2021.

Over the last four months, the City Parks and Recreation Committee, in coordination with the Tree Board and Landmark Conservancy, has led development of this Plan to Restore and Maintain the Viewshed in the long-term by planting low and slow-growing shrubs and trees that will “frame” the view corridor. Bay Area Environmental Consultants provided technical input on this plan as part of a contracted Erosion Control and Restoration Plan for the Big Ravine. Copies of these plans are also linked on the Bayfield Area Trails website News page.

For more information contact: Kate Kitchell katepkitchell@gmail.com or Matt Carrier matthew-carrier@bethel.edu.

The Beautiful Pine Bluff Trail is in! Check it out!

11/11/2020

Bayfield residents and visitors are now able to get on the Gil Larsen Trail on Washington Avenue and hike up the Big Ravine—via the brand-new Pine Bluff Tail and the East Rim Trail—all the way to Meyers-Olson Road.

Pine Bluff Sign

Tess the dog helps build steps!

Will Krift of Trails Anonymous started work Friday morning, October 30 and, over the course of a week, led a crew of 15 volunteers on the project which connects the Gil Larsen Trail in the bottom of the ravine to the East Rim Trail at the top. Will’s dog, Tess, provided moral support.

Will said, “It was helpful that we weren’t fighting a foot of snow! The first day was rainy and we were working in clay. But then, thankfully, we got beautiful weather and we ‘turned and burned’ and roughed-in the trail to the bottom in two and a half days. We had to move tons of earth. It was pretty cool the way this came together.”

The work mainly consisted of building the trail and a series of switchbacks from the top of the ravine to the bottom, an elevation difference of 160 feet. Will and the crew also built several stone stairways along the trail.

Top of the Pine Bluff trail.

Will Krift of Trails Anonymous

Pine Bluff near top.

Pine Bluff Steps

Volunteers who worked on the Pine Bluff Trail include: Nan Fey, Neil Howk, John Ipsen, Genevieve Johnson, Mike Kinnee, Pete Kulenkamp, Gene Lemmenes, Ted and Tracy May, Scott Nesvold, Mark Peterson, Keith Ray, Patrick Skelly, Jim Steffenson, and Kris Wegerson. The volunteers put in over 70 hours of volunteer time.

Bayfield Area Trail Stewards have completed other work on the trails recently including a partial clean-up on the Finn Loop on the East Rim Trail, and the installation of four-by-four sign posts before the ground freezes. Maps and signs will be coming soon.

Genevieve Johnson with trail gear.

New Public Non-motorized Access Granted on Big Ravine’s East Side

11/11/2020

Bayfield Area Trails is very pleased to share that Bob and Maria Fierek have generously granted public access across their property for non-motorized travel along the Big Ravine’s East Rim Trail, previously known as “The Old Snowmobile Trail.” This trail access provides an incredibly valuable connection for hikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers at the end of East Lynde Ave. off of north Second Street in Bayfield.

Fierek Property Crossing Sign

With this connection, folks will be able to travel from the new parking area on Meyers-Olson Rd. to the top of the Second Street hill as well as along a loop via the new Pine Bluff Trail between the Sweeny Trailhead and north Second Street.

The Big Ravine Trails map is being updated and signs are being posted to show this section of trail as open for public access.

Chuck Finn knows how much this means to our community. “As Mary and I encounter folks out on the East Rim Trail and the Finn Loop, we hear sincere gratitude for the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Big Ravine. This access from Bob and Maria is a tremendous addition for all.”

As a condition of granting this access, Bob and Maria Fierek ask that all users greet one another with a smile and that we make sure to take good care of the land. WE CAN DO THAT!!

PLEASE NOTE: There is no parking at this trail access. Please park at the Sweeny Ave. Trailhead lot, just one block away.

Major Nordic Trail Projects Accomplished at Mt. Ashwabay!

9/21/2020

Click to view a larger image.

On the east side of the mountain, some big changes have been made to the lower end of the Raven Trail. First, it has been re-routed to avoid wet areas that always bogged down the groomers and skiers. In addition, a skating route with a less extreme slope has been added. This will make it easier for skiers to get up and down the steep hill as well as diversify skiing options on the east side.

Click to view a larger image.

As we turn the page from summer to fall we have a lot to look forward to on Ashwabay’s nordic trails this winter. A combined trail crew from Mt. Ashwabay and Bayfield Nordic has completed incredible trail improvements over the summer.

Many folks may recall that the Sugar Bush Classic Loop was not open for a long time early last winter due to wet conditions that made grooming impossible. Now, fourteen culverts have been installed to address drainage issues. This will enhance grooming efficiency, enable access earlier in the season, and extend trail use later in the year.

The connection between Oppendahl’s and Birch Hill has also been improved, providing another loop connection and more options for skiing routes.

Bayfield Nordic’s Steve Vizanko is happy about what’s been accomplished. “We took on some of the easier projects in 2019, including the new beginner’s loop and upgrades to the Northern Lights Trail. With that experience under our belts, we have been able to step up to a whole new level of trail work during 2020. It’s really rewarding to see how far we have come in just two years.”

Doug Olson, Mt. Ashwabay’s Operations Manager, applauds the help from special partners. “We could not have gotten this done without the donation of five days rental of an excavator from Northland Lawn and Sport. That is HUGE!”

It will be time to wax your skis before you know it!

Work is Complete on the Big Ravine Access from Meyers-Olson Road

9/15/2020

New Meyer-Olsen Parking Area

BIG RAVINE TRAILS MAP

If you travel Meyers-Olson Road north of the City of Bayfield, you may notice the new parking area about 1/3 of a mile from the Betzold Road intersection. This long-awaited improvement will make parking and access to the Big Ravine’s East Rim Trail (previously known as “The Old Snowmobile Trail”) much safer throughout the year. Many thanks to C&W Trucking and the Town of Bayfield for their great work!

Also, a project to address the very wet sections of the northern end of the East Rim Trail has been completed. If you’ve ever traveled this trail in the spring and early summer, you’ve realized that rubber boots and tick repellent were a necessity. To resolve these sections, the trail is being re-routed in two locations and the low wet areas are being filled in with rock and gravel. We have improved over a mile of walking trail now.

Chuck and Mary Finn are in the process of adding “The Finn Loop” onto their property off of the main trail, providing some more options for enjoying the woods on the Ravine’s east side. We’re especially grateful to Chuck for the many hours he has spent on his excavator building all of these new trail sections. Look for blue blazes that mark East Rim Trail and gold blazes on the Finn Loop.

Signs will be installed at the trailhead and at key spots along the trail. It’s important to note that bikes and ATVs are prohibited.

These improvements are made possible thanks to funding and support from the Town of Bayfield, the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau, Landmark Conservancy, and dozens of volunteers. Thanks to all!

If you’re interested in helping, please contact please contact bayfieldareatrails@gmail.com or sign up on the website at bayfieldareatrails.com.

Three New Trails Completed in the Big Ravine Network!

9/12/2020

BIG RAVINE TRAILS MAP

Bayfield Area Trails volunteers and the community are celebrating three new trails completed during the summer! Extension of the Gil Larsen Trail, and the addition of the Sweeny Switchback and the Iron Bridge Link, have improved a beautiful, leisurely walk up the creek and created exciting new accesses to the Big Ravine. These new trails have added roughly 0.4 miles, filling gaps that have been needed for years.

“While building these trails during the summer, it was amazing to see how many people of all ages enjoyed them. The Gil Larsen Trail is especially great for families. It’s not too long or steep, kids get to play in the creek, and parents can enjoy the diverse forest,” said Keith Ray of the City Parks and Recreation Committee.

Work on the Gil Larsen Trail

Over 25 BATS volunteers, wearing COVID-19 social distancing bibs, participated in six, two-day trail building sessions between June 12th and August 22nd under the leadership of professional trail builder Will Krift of Trails Anonymous. The project was funded by a grant from the Apostle Islands Area Community Fund to build volunteer trail crew capacity for the Bayfield Area Trails. Not only did the volunteers gain skills and learn trail building techniques, they even had fun!

Volunteer Bob Wood remarked, “This has been a really rewarding experience. Building a community of volunteers who have a passion for trails is also exciting for the future of trails in our area. I look forward to continuing the momentum we’ve started this summer.”

The volunteers also reclaimed several “social trails” that had developed along the sensitive creek banks and had caused erosion and vegetation damage. Hikers are asked to stay off these fragile areas to help protect the Big Ravine for others to enjoy. “Over the years we’ve seen human impacts increase. While we encourage folks to visit the Big Ravine, it has been really good to get ahead of the potential for serious damage,” commented BATS (Bayfield Area Trails Stewards) volunteer Genevieve Johnson.

Will Krift on Sweeny Switchback

These trails are among several that were professionally planned by Trails Anonymous under a contract with the City and funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. Two more of these trails have yet to be built. The Pine Bluff Trail is slated for construction before winter settles in. Pine Bluff will link the Gil Larsen Trail in the Ravine bottom to the East Rim Trail, creating access all of the way up to the North Ravine Trailhead on Meyers-Olson Road. If grant funding comes through for 2021, the final link, Hemlock Heights Trail, would make a similar connection between the Gil Larsen Trail and the trail network northwest of the Bayfield school.

Kate Kitchell from the City of Bayfield Parks and Recreation Committee and Bayfield Area Trails Committee has been inspired by the generosity and spirit of all who pitched in. “It’s truly remarkable to see what we’ve been able to accomplish!” My heartfelt thanks to Sue Aiken, Katie Barningham, Adrian Bethel, Bill Bland, Ian Campbell, Matt Carrier, Abe Clark, Mike Eldred, Liz Fentress, Bob Feyen, Neil Howk, John Ipsen, Genevieve Johnson, Dave Judd, Mike Kinnee, Kate Kitchell, Gene Lemmenes, Chris Nybo, Anney Olson, John Olson, Mark Peterson, Sheree Peterson, Keith Ray, Janel Ryan, Erik Scott, Kris Wegerson, and Bob Wood. “You’re the best!”

Please let us know what you think or if you’re interested in joining in by clicking here or sending an email to bayfieldareatrails@gmail.com.

Hope to see you out on the trail!

Iron Bridge Update

8/17/2020

BIG RAVINE TRAILS MAP

Will Krift at the top of the Iron Bridge Link

Will Krift of Trails Anonymous worked with a crew of Bayfield Area Trails Stewards (BATS) on Saturday afternoon, August 8, on a connecting the trail from the east end of the Iron Bridge down to the Gil Larsen Trail in the Big Ravine.

“The trail is looking good,” Krift said. “The hardest piece is building the turning platform, connecting the upper and lower sections of the switchback—but we lucked out and the dirt’s really good here.” The crew had pretty much finished the work on the connecting trail—but Krift thought he’d wait until the next work session to put in the steps at the top.

On the previous day the crew completed the Sweeney Ave. Link, the connector from the end of East Sweeney Avenue down to the Gil Larsen Trail. During this work session, volunteers included Adrian Bethel, Bill Bland, John Ipsen, Genevieve Johnson, Michael Kinnee, Kate Kitchell, John Olson, Mark Peterson, Keith Ray, Kris Wegerson, and Bob Wood.

Will Krift and Bob Wood on the Sweeny Ave. Link

“It’s pretty cool to see the community involvement—the blood, sweat and tears, all of it,” Krift said. “And the community-building around these trails. I didn’t have too many expectations but there are so many returnees getting into the swing of things; they come back and they already have the skills. The progress we’ve made is really cool.”

Volunteer Genevieve Johnson was working with a rogue hoe, a tool for digging up dirt and scraping the trail. She said the day was “a steamy one.” And then she summed up what’s made it all worthwhile: “We’re already getting feedback from locals and tourists hiking in from the trailhead; they’re excited to see what’s going on. They say, ‘Thank-you for your work.’”

Well said.

What’s So Special About the Bayfield Area?

8/17/2020

The cultural and natural history around the Bayfield area is heavily intertwined; you can’t talk about one without the other.

This area of Wisconsin was heavily glaciated, and glacial meltwater continued to erode and shape the landscape until the end of the last glaciation 11,700 years ago. Today, residents and visitors can still see signs of this time period including valleys, ravines, and ridges. They also enjoy the over 966 lakes and 400 miles of streams throughout Bayfield County.

Mt. Ashwabay Spring 2018 - Photo Credit: Tony Jeannette

Sugarbush State Natural Area Fall 2019 - Photo Credit: Tony Jeannette

This varied landscape supports diverse flora and fauna, and has also been important to human inhabitants throughout history.

Trails throughout the peninsula, including those in the Bayfield area, provide opportunities to experience these remarkable natural features. Whether it is on foot, a pair of skis, a bike, an ATV or snowmobile, everyone can enjoy the dense and diverse forests, views of Lake Superior, and glimpses of wildlife.

Arriving here from the east, the Anishinaabe (also referred to as the Ojibwe or Chippewa) settled here, and were sustained by the area’s natural resources for many years. From Lake Superior, they would obtain fish year-round. In the fall, they would harvest wild animals and gather wild rice. In late winter, they would tap maple trees for sap, and summer offered a variety of foods.

Kewadinoka, Red Cliff, 1923 - Photo Credit: Bayfield Heritage Association 2002.23.3

Old Mission Church, La Pointe, WI - Photo Credit: Bayfield Heritage Association 1983.20.11

The same resources that supplied the Ojibwe people also attracted others to the area. In 1622, French explorers reached the shore of Lake Superior and fur traders followed quickly behind. Missionaries also came to Wisconsin, including Madeline Island, in the 1600s.

European immigrants established fishing and lumber industries, and several quarries, and these natural resources were exported first by water and then by the railroad. When the forests were finally depleted, families - mostly immigrants or second-generation Americans - moved to the Bayfield area to build new farms on the now-open lands. Today, orchards and small farms still exist on the more fertile lands while the forests have grown back elsewhere.

Bayfield’s unique location and its plentiful natural resources continue to draw people to the area - for either a visit or a longer stay. We hope to see you on the trails!

Logging on the Bayfield Peninsula - Photo Credit: Bayfield Heritage Association 1980.56.2

Quarry at Houghton Point - Photo Credit: Bayfield Heritage Association 1980.1.515

Headwaters of Brickyard Creek in the Orchards 2019 - Photo Credit: Tony Jeannette