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Volunteer for World Trails Day in Bayfield

5/31/2023

Tens of thousands of hikers, bikers, skiers, horseback riders, trails clubs, land trusts and others will come together to celebrate World Trails Day on Saturday, June 3. Creating an international day for trails aims to recognize how important trails are to health, wellbeing and local economies, and that trails require ongoing maintenance, preservation, and love.

Cindi Taylor in 2022

Bayfield Trails Event

When:
Saturday June 3, 8:30 am – noon

Where:
Meet at the Sweeny Switchback trail entrance to the Big Ravine (gravel storage area) located at the west end of East Sweeny Avenue. To get there, go uphill on North Second Street and turn left on Sweeny Ave.

What to Bring:
Bring a friend, and leaf rakes, 5-gallon buckets for transporting rocks & gravel, shovels and clippers. Make sure your tools have some identification marking. Also, be prepared with proper clothing and footwear for slippery conditions, water and snacks, bug/tick protection and sunscreen.

See more details below.

Map showing the Sweeny Switchback trail entrance for the Big Ravine Trail

World Trails Day Bayfield event staging location.

To observe this day, Bayfield Area Trails will kick off the field season with a trails maintenance morning in the Big Ravine to repair and maintain trails impacted by the record-breaking snowfall and intense spring runoff. Two dozen volunteers of all skill levels are being sought to help on one or more of six spots along this trail network. Tasks will range from raking leaves and clipping vegetation to hauling rocks and gravel from the creek bed to build crossings and stabilize the trails. Volunteers will:

Build a small footbridge at the bottom of the Sweeny Switchback Trail and add rock to armor a side channel that cuts across the trail;
Reconstruct the creek crossing along the main Gil Larsen Trail at the Sweeny Switchback intersection;
Rebuild two other creek crossings upstream from the Sweeny Switchback intersection;
Rebuild and stabilize a segment of the Pine Bluff Trail where spring runoff and seepage are eroding the trail;
Reestablish the upper Gil Larsen Trail extension by clearing vegetation and raking/leveling the tread;
Clean-up and rake selected side trails.

Lower Pine Bluff segment in need of repair.

All volunteers should review the “Top Tips for Safety” and sign the volunteer release form in advance and bring that with them. The form can be found at this link on the Bayfield Area Trails website.

Questions? Contact Kate Kitchell at bayfieldareatrails@gmail.com or 541-452-3079

Volunteers on Big Ravine project in 2022.

Other upcoming projects in 2023:

Kris Wegerson checks out high water impacts.

Gil Larsen Trail boardwalk upgrades: late June
Hatchery to Ashwabay Trail, now called the Pileated Woodpecker Trail (Meme Miikana), : after the new bridge is installed, we will build boardwalk across the floodplain and start the new connection to the Ashwabay chalet: late July/early August
Big Ravine Headwaters: build trails, boardwalk, and wetland viewing platform: 2nd half of August

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2023 Bayfield Area Trails Forum Wrap-Up

5/14/2023

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Participants at the 2023 BATs Trail Forum

Happy Spring! Thanks to all who attended the Trails Forum on May 6th at the wonderful Bayfield Winery & Blue Ox Cider location on Betzold Rd. in Bayfield. Despite the inclement weather, more than 65 participants ventured through the fog to enjoy the spirit of camaraderie and reconnecting with trail friends.

Quick Links

The feature presentation by Ted May and crew about trail building and conservation in Costa Rica was a real hit, and the refreshments that were arranged by the Trails Subcommittee were beyond belief. YUM!

At the forum, participants had the opportunity to look at maps and visit with our Bayfield Area Trails Committee (BAT Comm.) members about enhancements to existing trails and potential new trails.

To follow up on those discussions and to bring in folks who were unable to attend, we’re asking for your ideas via the survey linked below. We will use your input to guide our plans and priorities for the upcoming years.

Even if you don’t have suggestions for existing or new trails, please respond to the survey with your volunteer interests so that we can effectively plan and implement the 2023 Project Calendar.

OPEN SURVEY

Images from the Forum

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Volunteer for World Trails Day in Bayfield

Bayfield Trails Event

Other upcoming projects in 2023:

2023 Bayfield Area Trails Forum Wrap-Up

Quick Links

Images from the Forum

Blog | Bayfield Area Trails

Archives

Comments, suggestions, great experiences? Talk to us!

BLOG

Volunteer for World Trails Day in Bayfield

Bayfield Trails Event

​Other upcoming projects in 2023: ​

2023 Bayfield Area Trails Forum Wrap-Up

Quick Links

Images from the Forum

Blog | Bayfield Area Trails

Archives

Comments, suggestions, great experiences? Talk to us!​

Other upcoming projects in 2023:

Comments, suggestions, great experiences? Talk to us!