Thank You for a Successful 2021 Trail Season!

Greetings Bayfield Area Trails Enthusiasts!

As we watch the golden glow of autumn blow away, it's time to reflect on the successes of our field season and to give thanks to everyone who helped to make them happen!  What an incredible year it has been! ​Read the month-by-month progress below.

​Click pictures for a larger view. Click underlined text to learn more about a project.

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May

The 2021 Gil Larsen Trailhead improvements.

As spring started to peep out of the soil, a crew of folks spent May Day planting native trees and shrubs at the Gil Larsen Trailhead in the Big Ravine. On the next day, a small group installed four new interpretive signs at the trailhead to provide visitors with information about the Big Ravine Trail network, trail etiquette, natural and cultural history, and Bayfield apple orchard heritage. ​

The trail building season began with our annual Fundamentals of Trail Construction and Maintenance Training, followed by the exciting construction of Hemlock Heights in the Big Ravine under the skillful leadership of our favorite trail builder Will Krift. Hemlock Heights connects the Gil Larsen Trail in the bottom of the Big Ravine with the Ravine's west side trails network, thereby opening up a whole new variety of loops. If you haven't explored this new trail yet, it's not too late; and...if you like a cardio workout, Hemlock Heights is the trail for you! 

One of the new stairways along the new Hemlock Heights Trail.

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June

In June, two projects expanded our network, with the extension of the Gil Larsen Trail a short distance along the creek bottom beyond the intersection with the Pine Bluff Trail.

A new bench and sign at the end of Gil Larsen Trail extension.

Gracie's Trail that connects from Betzold Rd. to Fire Tower Hill Rd. was also constructed. We are grateful to Drew Froeliger for generously allowing Grace's Trail across his property and we hope this leads to other private land crossings in our trails network. In June, steps were also added to steep sections of the Pine Bluff Trail to reduce erosion and make them more easily passable during slick periods. 

A walking map showing the connection between the Big Ravine North Trailhead and Gracie's Trail.

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July

New interpretive signs at the Gil Larsen Trailhead.

Arrows and maps posted along the Gil Larsen Trail.

Although we had plans for a couple of group volunteer projects in July, we discovered that everyone was busy having fun and catching up on travel and family gatherings that had been postponed due to the previous year of COVID restrictions. So, our Mainland Trail and Jerry Jolly Trail projects did not happen. But, if you were out in the Big Ravine during this time you probably noticed the new trailhead interpretive signs and maps and directional signs installed along the trails in early July.
 
The Cornucopia Trails Club (CTC) started to participate in BAT Committee meetings to explore collaboration on their plan for establishing trails on Pratt's Peak on the western edge of the Town of Bayfield. We are excited about the potential to expand our capacity to accomplish the Bayfield Area Trails vision for an interconnected trails network in the Bayfield Area!

The Olson Family honored their heritage with the installation of a new bench at the North Ravine Trailhead on Meyers-Olson Rd. ​

Improvements at the Big Ravine North Trailhead.

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August

Northland students on the newly installed boardwalk on the Striped Skunk Trail.

Bayfield senior Allison Rogers cuts the ribbon held by District Administrator Beth Paap and Administrative Assistant Linda Weber at the top of the new School Trail.

​Many hands from Northland College made for light work on the Big Ravine's West Side boardwalks as well as along the Brownstone Trail. 
 
Even more exciting in August was the construction of the long-awaited School Trail to connect the Bayfield School with the bottom of the Big Ravine. We are extremely grateful for the enthusiastic support from the Bayfield School District, School leadership and staff, and Bayfield Community Education Foundation. This new trail now gives safe and sustainable access for students to appreciate the beauty and unique history of the Big Ravine. 

​The Bayfield Waterfront Walk/Memorial Park Walkway renovation was postponed due to lack of availability of contractors. The City plans to go out for another request for bids later this fall with the goal of completing the renovation before the Fourth of July. 

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September

​We received an extra morale boost when The Big Ravine Preserve projects featured in the 2021 Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle. The article starts on page 8.
 
Momentum continued at the very end of the month, with the Brownstone Trail and Steps Renovation project. Despite a few bumps along the way, we were able to get it done just in time for Applefest! 

The 2021 Great Lakes Chronicle cover photo.

Brownstone Trail Blue Wing Bay improvements, before and after.

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October

​On October 15th, a whirlwind of equipment and raking crews distributed and spread 20 cubic yards of gravel on the low muddy sections of the East Rim Trail. 
 
As leaves fall and the tick populations decline, we have resumed efforts on the Pike's Creek Hatchery Connector project again. Thanks to adventurous field reconnaissance done during the spring, there is an initial proposed route to connect the Hatchery Trail to the Jerry Jolly Trails at Mt. Ashwabay with a non-motorized trail. We are initiating coordination and seeking permits and easements from the DNR, with the goal of pursuing grants for trail construction in 2022-2023. 

The route of the proposed Hatchery to Jolly trail expansion.

​Bayfield Area Trails is working with the Town of Bayfield and Landmark Conservancy to possibly purchase 10 acres of wetland at the headwaters of the Big Ravine Preserve on the north side of Meyers-Olson Rd. This would permanently protect the wetlands habitat and the Big Ravine watershed as well as provide a lovely opportunity for a trail for watching birds, beavers, and other wildlife in the wetlands. 

The area of the possible wetland purchase at the headwaters of the Big Ravine Preserve.

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November

​Our last coordinated project for the season will be to rebuild the rock steps along the Gil Larsen Trail above the waterfall. Upon looking at this location we concluded that the rock work was more critical than replacing the boardwalk. So, we will be assembling a small crew to work with Will Krift. While on location, we will also do some final trail stabilization and drainage work on the lower end of the School Trail before the snow hits.

Gil Larsen Trail rock steps replacement project.

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December

We will start planning a virtual meeting to talk about the future of Bayfield Area Trails, including seeking participants in our new Trails and Communications subcommittees. We will also discuss initial thoughts for 2022 projects. Please keep your eyes peeled for an invitation to this meeting in January or February. 

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Thank You!!

As you can see, we made lots of headway on our 2021 - 2022 priorities.  This could not have been accomplished without the truly remarkable participation and enthusiasm of our Bayfield Area Trails Stewards. The greatest reward is seeing how many people love these trails! Although we haven't had a chance to add up all of the hours from this year's season, you can be sure that it was hundreds of hours plus donations of equipment and creative ideas.

At the risk of forgetting someone...a HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND THANKS TO OUR 50+ VOLUNTEERS:

Sue Aiken Lois Albrecht Betsy Blanchard Bill Bland Phil Bratsch Bill Bussey Erika Carrier Matt Carrier Doreen Conrad Jon Crump Jennifer Crump Rex Dollinger Bob Durfey Mike Eldred Nan Fey Liz Fentress Chuck Finn Mary Finn Tov Finn Drew Froeliger Kate Hoff Neil Howk Lindy Howe John Ipsen Tony Jeannette Genevieve Johnson

Kate Kitchell Mike Kinnee Craig Lincoln Gene Lemmenes Beth Lowthian Ted May Tracy May Bruce Moore Jim Moeller Scott Nesvold Mick Parent Phil Petersen Sheree Peterson Anney Olson John Olson Keith Ray Greg Rozier Janel Ryan Rich Ryan ​Cyndi Taylor Steve Vircsik Kris Wegerson Grant Wilcox Jan Wilcox Bob Wood Patti Wood

And...we must not forget the folks who are working behind the scenes on project support, including accounting for funds and paying bills. Thanks to the City of Bayfield staff, Parks and Recreation Committee, and City Council. We also greatly appreciate the support from the Town of Bayfield staff and elected officials!

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Stay Informed

• Visit our website regularly to check on Bayfield Area Trails happenings. 
• Follow us on Facebook.
• Watch for   monthly meeting notes   to see what we are up to next! 

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Thanks to everyone who has brought Bayfield Area Trails to Life! Happy Trails!

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