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Trail Work Days Report: Upper Big Ravine Improvements

9/26/2024

Muddy trail before, graded and graveled trail after

Before and after images of the work completed on the Striped Skunk trail in the Big Ravine trail system.

How many volunteers does it take to move 30 yards of gravel? The answer is 17 people, 3 tractors, 2 UTV’s, and an ATV with a trailer. On Friday September 20th the volunteer crew loaded, shuttled, dumped, raked, and tamped 15 yards of gravel on the Martin and Striped Skunk Trails on the Big Ravine’s west side north of the soccer fields.

Multiple work vehicles and a gravel pile at the trailhead

The shuttles - 2 UTVs and Jon Crumps ATV.

Saturday was a repeat performance on the East Rim Trail where the project was staged from the parking lot on Meyers-Olson Rd. and fueled by Erickson’s apple cider donuts brought by new volunteer Rich Path.

“My wife and I walk these trails all of the time with our dogs, but this is the first opportunity I’ve had to volunteer on a trail project. I really enjoyed the sense of community and spirit of cooperation,” said Rich. Another new volunteer, Terry Bauer, echoed the sentiment, “I have walked these trails for years. I figured the least I could do was to help keep them in good shape. It’s actually kind of fun!”

Three boardwalk sections placed next to a muddy trail.

Striped Skunk boardwalk after the June 2024 flood.

The gravel was placed in locations that have been consistently muddy and difficult to traverse late into the spring season. Trail users will recognize these locations where impermeable clay soils and lack of drainage on flat terrain cause the water to pool and stand for extended periods. These conditions were especially prevalent during this year’s extremely wet spring and after the June 19th flood event.

In the muddiest spots, volunteers installed heavy-duty landscape fabric to keep the gravel from sinking in. In addition, small berms and drainage ditches were added to divert water off of the trail and minimize potential erosion of the trail tread. Four boardwalks were moved from the Striped Skunk Trail and relocated to extend existing boardwalks in key locations.

Two volunteers digging a trench across a trail.

Small tractor dumping a load of gravel in the box of a UTV.

Several work vehicle and volunteers ready to go to work.

It was a huge team effort!

Many thanks to Mary Finn for mowing the East Rim Trail prior to the work days.
Big kudos to the raking crews who kept going when the going got tough: Terry Bauer, Bill Bieganek, Neil Howk, John Ipsen, Gene Lemmenes, Rich Path, Anney Olson, Sheree Peterson, and Janel Ryan.
Phil Peterson, Sean Reagan, and Rich Ryan put their tractor skills to work loading, shuttling, and spreading gravel.
Bob Feyen, Sean Reagan, Jon Crump, and Kate Kitchell operated the UTVs and ATVs.
A special shout out to Mt. Ashwabay and the Bayfield Winery for loaning the UTVs, the perfect equipment for a project like this.
We are very grateful to the City of Bayfield Parks and Recreation Committee and the Town of Bayfield for providing funding for trail materials.

Although we hope that the 2024 very wet spring conditions and the June 19th flood event were relatively uncommon occurrences, we hope that these trail improvements will make the trails more usable under such conditions in the future.

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Trail Work Days Report: Jerry Jolly Overlook Re-Opened

9/10/2024

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After a closure of over two months, the short route of the Jerry Jolly Overlook Trail has reopened, thanks to the efforts of trail volunteers.

The trail segment was closed after the June 19th storm that dumped close to five inches of rain on the Bayfield area in just a few hours, creating flash flood conditions. The normally shallow and tranquil Pikes Creek in this section swelled to a torrent. It rose several feet, spilling over its banks onto the Overlook Trail with great force.

Volunteers standing next to a debris pile cleared from the trail.

Taking a break on the cleared trail.

“Following the flood, a nearly impenetrable four-foot wall of branches, tree trunks, roots and other debris inundated the trail next to the creek, making passage difficult and dangerous,” said Lindley Mattson, Bayfield County Recreation Specialist. Armed with Pulaskis, McLeods, rakes, loppers, a chainsaw and shovels, five volunteers worked to remove the tangled barrier that lay across the trail to create safe and easy walking once again. They also restored a couple of other locations impacted by the flood.

Volunteer in safety gear using a chainsaw to remove debris pile.

John tackles the big logs with his chainsaw.

Thanks go to the volunteers re-opening this trail: Fred Clark, John Ipsen, Kate Kitchell, and Jen Maytum, who worked under Mattson’s leadership.

Check out the trail. It’s easy walking. You’ll be refreshed by the tranquility of Pikes Creek which is just beginning to reflect this season’s famous fall hardwood colors.

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Trail Work Days Report: Upper Big Ravine Improvements

Trail Work Days Report: Jerry Jolly Overlook Re-Opened

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Trail Work Days Report: Upper Big Ravine Improvements

Trail Work Days Report: Jerry Jolly Overlook Re-Opened

Blog | Bayfield Area Trails

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

Comments, suggestions, great experiences? Talk to us!