​2022 marked the first year of the Bayfield Area Trails Adopt-a-Trail program. Through the Trails Subcommittee, we signed up twenty adopters to monitor over thirty trail segments from Ashwabay to Frog Bay to Siskiwit Bay.

​Trail Adopters are stewards and advocates for a section of trail within the BAT system. They serve as “eyes and ears” for the entities that own/manage the trails and lands that they traverse. Adopters perform an essential service: helping to maintain a safe high-quality experience for trail users and keeping the land managers informed about trail condition and use. 

Trail Adopters visited and maintained their trail sections starting in May until mid-October. Using hand tools only, they performed basic trail maintenance. When an adopter identified safety concerns, large impediments, trail failures, or issues that required action beyond their capacity, this information was sent timely to the Trail Manager Contacts to resolve the issue and alert the public as needed. 

Adopters submit a Trail Condition and Maintenance Report for their trail section by May 15th, August 1st, and October 15th. Adopters may choose to submit more frequent reports about conditions and completed maintenance. Reports are shared with the Trail Manager Contacts after each due date. 

​According to Kate Kitchell, Bayfield Area Trails Chair, this was the “launch” of work on the Trail which will start at the Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery on Highway 13 south of Bayfield, and connect with the Jolly Loop at Mt. Ashwabay.

​Prior to the Northland students’ work, a BATs crew established and flagged a six-foot wide trail corridor, routing it around bigger trees. Then two chainsaw crews--led by BATS Trails Subcommittee members Kris Wegerson and John Ipsen—cut shrubs and small trees from the corridor. The Northland students hauled and dispersed vegetation into the woods, lopped and clipped branches, and raked a four-foot-wide trail tread. 

​A big shout-out and many thanks to Sean Reagan and his employer, Cisco, who pays employees for up to 80 hours of volunteer work for nonprofits or charities annually through their program “Time to Give.” “He found us,” Kate Kitchell said of Sean. “He’s a volunteer from the Twin Cities—and he brought his own tractor!” Sean used his tractor to pull stumps and smooth the surface of the trail after the chainsaw crew and students completed the initial clearing.

​“It’s beautiful in the trees—and not too hot. And dragging large branches into the woods gets some stress out,” one Northland student commented.

​Another added, “I liked seeing the outcome of our work. When we started, we couldn’t see any trail. And some trees fought back! But when we finished, I thought, ‘Wow! There’s the trail!’ I feel good about giving back to the community.” 

“We are super excited about this project as it will create an essential linkage toward our vision for the Bayfield Area Trails network. It also travels through beautiful terrain and forest,” says Kate Kitchell, Bayfield Area Trails Committee Chair. 

​Trail planning began in spring of 2021 with early exploration by adventurers Mick Parent, Ted and Tracy May, and John Olson. In the fall of 2021, the route was refined with the help of Steve Vizanko, Scott Nesvold, Peter Rothe, and Kate Kitchell, based upon finding the best location for the bridge across Pikes Creek. Coordination and permitting with DNR started in December 2021, culminating with approval to proceed in July 2022. 

​This is planned as a two-year project, with trail building of Segments A, B, and C this fall; followed by boardwalks and bridge installation at Pikes Creek next year (2023).  Most of the work will be completed by volunteers, combined with assistance from the Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation on Segment A. Due to the challenge and sensitivity of the terrain, Segment C will be led by professional trail builder Will Krift from Trails Anonymous in mid-October.

​This year’s trail building is possible thanks to funding from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, Apostle Islands Area Community Fund, Bayfield County Health Grant, Town of Bayfield, and donations from Sue Aiken, Mike Eldred & Kate Kitchell, Genevieve Johnson & Mike Kinnee, Ted and Tracy May, Jen Maytum & Nick Parent, Kathleen Russell, and three anonymous donors.

Bayfield Area Trails and Bayfield County Forest Staff made big improvements to the Jerry Jolly Overlook trail loop.

​The Jerry Jolly Trail west of Bayfield is especially popular among snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter. Now, with the recent efforts of Bayfield Area Trails’ volunteers working in collaboration with Bayfield County, the trail is likely to become a more popular destination for non-motorized travel during snow-free months as well (foot traffic only).

Fifteen Bayfield Area Trail volunteers worked to greatly enhance the Jerry Jolly Overlook Loop Trail that originates at the Pikes Creek bridge about 0.6 miles from the trailhead. This new 0.5-mile-long loop travels from the Pikes Creek bridge, up to the Overlook, across the ridge, and back down to the bridge. The volunteers significantly brushed and cleared the trail, constructed a 32-foot boardwalk across a perennial muddy spot, re-routed a short section, and dug in several water bars to better manage rainwater down a steep hillside to prevent erosion.

Three new signposts were added, and additional wayfaring signs were relocated to better serve trail users. A forthcoming interpretive sign will be placed at the trailhead to explain the history of this site and highlight notable natural features.

​The biggest job, however, was the addition of two bridges. The main bridge, damaged last winter, was replaced with a six-by-six-inch timber bridge that was constructed on-site by volunteers working with Bayfield County staff.  A second bridge across a small ravine was repurposed from another location and put in by county employees. 

​“It was a great collaboration between the County Forest staff and the Bayfield Area Trails’ volunteers,” said Lindley Mattson, Recreation Specialist for Bayfield County Forests and Parks.  “The work got done faster and more efficiently than I had expected,” she added. “A great deal was accomplished over just a few days.”

​Public access along the Big Ravine’s East Rim Trail is now more secure for future generations thanks to a generous gift from Emeline Larson. Four lots encompassing almost one-half of an acre were donated by Mrs. Larson to the City of Bayfield in honor of her late husband Jan T. Larson. Since the land is within the City’s Conservancy District, allowable land uses will remain very limited in order to maintain naturalness and protect the watershed.

“We both loved how this property was perched on the edge. The views into the ravine and over the lake were always inspiring. I know that Jan would be happy to know that this special place will be forever protected and enjoyed by hikers.” A memorial bench has been placed on the property so that people can enjoy the views that the Larson’s loved. 

This donation was facilitated by the City’s Parks and Recreation Committee in order to establish long-term public access on the East Rim Trail, which has quickly become a cherished walking experience for the Bayfield area community. One Bayfield resident said “This trail has changed our lives. We walk there almost every day and never get tired of it.”

“We are incredibly grateful for this donation. Mrs. Larson’s generosity leaves a positive and long-lasting legacy, and we hope that others will consider following her example,” said Kate Kitchell, City Parks and Recreation Committee Chair.

Thanks also go to the City Council and staff who supported this project. 

​The mostly coastal, linear trail begins at Meyers Beach 4.5 miles east of Cornucopia, and traverses 6.2 miles easterly through forests upon the headlands above Lake Superior’s famous sea caves in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Offering views of the islands and the dramatic sandstone cliffs, it is the area’s most popular trail and usage has increased dramatically in recent years.

​The awkward slope by the gazebo has been nicely recontoured, the hillside stabilized with rock, new sidewalk has been added on the south end along First Street, and the entire path has been leveled and paved to a four-foot width. This project is also accompanied by three new lovely memorial benches in Jake's Triangle Park on the south side of the Bayfield on the Lake Condominiums.

​Now all we need is for the grass seed to take root along the walkway, so cross your fingers that we have just the right amount of rain. We plan to coordinate with the City Plan Commission’s wayfinding project to add wayfinding signs for this walkway when the time is ripe.

Visitors to the Big Ravine West Rim Trail should enjoy a more comfortable walk following recent maintenance work by Bayfield Area Trails volunteers. Guided by crew leader Bill Bland, volunteers worked on Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, removing tripping hazards like rocks and roots, filling in dips with dirt, creating rock steps, and leveling the trail, in three different areas.

​As Bill spoke, visitors from Atlanta and Florida proved his point about trail usage. “We just wanted to get out of town,” one woman said. “We’ve been to Madeline Island, took the Apostle Island cruise —and then we found this trail and we liked it because it’s right here by Bayfield.” 
The women were interested to learn that everyone working on the trail was a volunteer. Kate Kitchell, BATs Committee Chair, pointed out that aside from a small project on the Gil Larsen Trail last summer, this was the first BATs project led and undertaken solely by volunteers. “It’s great! That’s the way it should be!” Kate said.

The Big Ravine’s Pine Bluff and Hemlock Heights Trails are now open. Many thanks to everyone for staying off of the trail during the ice and mud season! Your cooperation has ensured that they are in great shape for everyone to enjoy. Please use caution on the few wet sections on Pine Bluff; please stay on the middle of the trail to avoid damaging the trail shoulders.

Between May 23rd and 31st Bayfield Area Trails volunteers will be working with Will Krift on rebuilding rock steps on the Gil Larsen Trail above the waterfall as well as fine-tuning the lower section of the School Trail built last fall. 

​See you out on the trails! 
​ 

Bayfield Area Trails volunteers reunited with Nile Merton and Michael Sinclair of Bay Area Environmental Consulting at the Gil Larsen Trailhead on Saturday, May 14—a beautiful spring morning. They gathered for an update on restoration work undertaken a year ago, and to plant native shrubs and pull invasive forget-me-nots.
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And there’s good news! Despite last summer’s drought, Nile reported a success rate of 60 to 80 percent for the 210 trees and shrubs planted in May 2021, including red osier dogwood, white cedar, winterberry holly, black chokeberry, and high bush cranberry.

Nile and Michael explained that they considered several factors when deciding what to add this year. They chose native shrubs that would stabilize the area but not obstruct the view of the Iron Bridge, and that would ultimately shade the creek and keep it clean as it flows into Lake Superior. They also looked for vegetation that would serve for bird forage and attract pollinators.  Michael explained that the biggest threat to the new plantings is competition from invasive species like forget-me-nots.

​Volunteers worked in teams and planted American elderberry, black chokeberry, juneberry, and arrowwood viburnum. Others dug up emerging forget-me-nots by the roots.

​Many thanks to Neil Howk, president of Chequamegon Audubon, who led a bird walk on the Gil Larsen Trail prior to the start of the Bayfield Area Trails workday. Participants watched for, and listened to, migratory birds passing through Bayfield on their way north. The walk celebrated Bayfield's participation in Wisconsin's Bird City program, and commemorated World Migratory Bird Day, which was Saturday, May 14, 2022.

​And many thanks to the Bayfield Area Trails volunteers who worked on the restoration of the viewshed at the Iron Bridge this year including Melis Erik, Lyndy Howe, Neil Howk, Kate Kitchell, Gene Lemmenes, Pam Lincoln, Erica and Mark Peterson, Sheree Peterson, and Kris Wegerson. The work was sponsored by the City Parks and Recreation Committee and Bayfield Area Trails.