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About the Adopt-A-Trail Program

9/25/2022

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Hemlock Heights trail meandering along the Big Ravine.
Hemlock Heights Trail
​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. 
List of trails adopted in 2022.
List of trails adopted in 2022. Click to enlarge image.
​Based upon the lessons learned in 2022, Bayfield Area Trails will expand the Adopt-a-Trail program in 2023. Keep your eyes peeled to sign up next spring.
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Pikes Creek to Ashwabay Trail Work Begins

9/20/2022

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​An enthusiastic group of Northland College students recently spent a day doing service work on the new Pikes Creek Trail as part of their August Welcome Experience to the Chequamegon Bay area. 
A group of Northland College students lined up for a group photo.
The group of Northland College students who came to help with the trail building. Click to enlarge image.
​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.
A group of Northland college students cutting the trail through the forest.
​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. 
Volunteers Kris Wegerson and John Ipsen set with their safety gear and chainsaws.
Volunteers Kris Wegerson and John Ipsen cut shrubs and small trees from the corridor. Click to enlarge image.
​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.
Sean Regan showing thumbs-up, standing next to a red tractor.
Volunteer Sean Reagan and his handy tractor. Click to enlarge image.
The recent work was done on the half-mile long “B” segment of the Pikes Creek Trail. The “C” segment starts at the Fish Hatchery, and the “A” segment connects to the Jolly Loop.
A group of Northland College students sitting on the side of the new trail.
Northland College students resting at the end of the workday. Click to enlarge image.
​“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.” 
​The students were from all over including Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, central and southern Wisconsin, and the Twin Cities area. Several students planned to major in outdoor education; others were studying biology and natural resources. Welcome, all, to the Chequamegon Bay Area! And thanks for your work on the Bayfield Area Trails!
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The New Pikes Creek to Ashwabay Trail

9/20/2022

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​Thanks to sponsorship from the Town of Bayfield and approval from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Bayfield Area Trails is moving forward with the development of the new “Pikes Creek to Ashwabay Trail” that will connect from the Les Voigt Fish Hatchery on Highway 13 south of Bayfield to the Jolly Long Loop of the Mt. Ashwabay trails network.
Map showing the Pikes Creek to Ashwabay trail. Starts on right at Pikes Creek. Ends on the left at the Jerry Jolly trail system.
Map showing the Pikes Creek to Ashwabay trail. Click to enlarge image.
The 1.3-mile-long non-motorized trail will cross Pikes Creek and the floodplain, climb up along a side ravine, and then traverse the plateau above Pikes Creek to join the Jolly Long trail at its western end. Ultimately, there are plans to develop a connection directly to the Mt. Ashwabay trailhead and parking area. ​

​The trail is designed for foot and snowshoe use; because of the special protections in the DNR’s Pikes Creek Management Area, no motorized or bicycle use will be allowed. 
Trail construction begins. A rough-cut dirt trail through the forest.
A first look at trail construction. Click to enlarge image.
“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. 
Steve Vizanko of Bayfield Nordic sees this as a positive addition to the area’s trails. “Adding this as a snowshoe trail will create a great opportunity, as well as alleviate some existing conflicts between snowshoers and nordic skiers. Plus, the views from the plateau in winter time will be fantastic.” 
Winter scene looking through forest off a plateau on Pikes Creek to Ashwabay trail.
Winter view from plateau on the trail. Click to enlarge image.
​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.
Another view of initial trail development. A rough-cut dirt trail through the forest.Picture
Another view of initial trail development. Click to enlarge image.
​Work was launched on August 30 – 31. We will soon reach out via email to recruit and schedule volunteers to work on Segment C. If you are not on the BATs email list and you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here. 
​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.
COMING SOON
Name The Trail
​

After the trail is constructed this fall, Bayfield Area Trails will be seeking suggestions for naming the trail.

PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAPS!
​The Bayfield Area Trails Committee is also especially grateful for the support from the Town of Bayfield Board, Clerk and Treasurer; without them, this project would not have been possible.
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