​Over the river and through the woods we go! Thanks to the sponsorship of the Town of Bayfield, we are celebrating the selection of Anderson Bridges as the contractor to supply and install a steel truss arched bridge across Pikes Creek. The bridge is the centerpiece of an all-new BATs trail connecting from the Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery Trail south of Bayfield to the Jolly Long Loop Trail at Mt. Ashwabay. The new bridge will be fifty-five feet long and five feet wide with steel railings and treated Southern yellow pine decking.

​“Dee and I enjoy walking the many trails of the Bayfield area for which Bayfield Area Trails deserves much credit,” Jim Bryan said. “One of our particular favorite walks is along Pikes Creek. We found the idea of connecting the Pikes Trail to the Ashwabay system to be very exciting and worthwhile. The key to the project was the placement of a well built and durable bridge across Pikes Creek. Kate and BATs had done the ‘legwork,’ but the fundraising was far short of the goal. We decided to make a donation to push the funding ‘over the top’ and hopefully make the trail a reality in 2023. We’re thrilled that the project is indeed on schedule to open this summer. We live in a wonderful place and an enhancement like this trail will help make it even better for all.”

Our goal is to install the bridge by mid-July. The bridge site will be accessed from the service road/angler access behind the Fish Hatchery, about two tenths of a mile beyond the Red Dam gate. No equipment will be allowed in the creek due to its ecological sensitivity; thereby requiring all installation to occur from the side adjacent to the service road.

​Because the project is sponsored by the Town of Bayfield, a subcommittee appointed by the Town Board went through a competitive bidding process for the bridge fabrication, delivery, and installation. The subcommittee received seven bids and chose Anderson Bridges of Colfax, WI whose bid was within the fundraising goal of $45,000. People may be familiar with other Anderson Bridges in Bayfield County including the bridge over Pikes Creek on the Jerry Jolly Trail, and many snowmobile bridges. 

The plan for a trail to connect the Fish Hatchery to Ashwabay was developed over a two-year period with input from many community members. Thanks to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Paul Piszczek and Greg Behling for supporting the project and providing guidance as to how to develop the trail in an environmentally sensitive manner. As always, for their ongoing support, thanks to the Town of Bayfield including the Town Board, Town Chairman Tom Gordon, and staff members Kelly Faye and Billie Hoopman.