Ted May’s Bayfield Walkabout

11/26/2023

An open field surrounded by forest with beaver pond in the foreground

Big Ravine Headwaters Overlook

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, October 9, I decided to go out for a walk – to better understand my surroundings on a bit larger scale.

I was able to walk a loop down to Bayfield and around mostly on the Bayfield Area Trails (BAT) network of trails – so I was on very lightly-traveled roads to and from these trails for just 6 miles of my 18-mile exploratory hike. We are blessed with many trails in the region, and a rich landscape of cleanliness, color and peace.

Ted May standing at the start of Gracie's Trail.

Ted May on walkabout in Bayfield!

A forest trail carpeted with leaves leading into the forest.

Big Ravine Trail

We are also blessed to live near to the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, who have been taking care of the Earth in this area for many hundreds of years. Thank you to the indigenous peoples of the area - for the beauty that surrounds us here – you have been exceptional stewards of the land and water. Miigwech!

On the way to the start, there were bluebirds out on the phone lines near Hauser’s – a nice omen for a fine day. Starting on trails at Gracie’s Trail, which took me to the new Headwater’s Trail and overlook. From there onto the big ravine trails along the East Rim and down to Bayfield from there.

Small gateway structure leading to the Brownstone trail.

Brownstone trailhead in Bayfield.

A quick jaunt across Bayfield to the Brownstone Trail which is always a delight.

Then over to the Fish Hatchery and the Pileated Woodpecker Trail (Meme Miikana), where I saw the most people.

A-frame house perched above Lake Superior showing in the background.

View of Lake Superior from the Brownstone trail.

Rich Ryan was putting in steps on our box steps – and doing a delightful job at that – very artistic!

I then saw Neil Howk out for a walk on the trail, and two other couples. Fun to see people exploring our new trail on this delightful fall day.

While there, were no pileated woodpeckers on the trail. I did hear/see several of them before returning home.

A trail in a forest going between two large trees.

The Pileated Woodpecker trail.

Hiking the rest from Jerry Jolly out to Star Route is always an incredibly beautiful stretch of trail, too. Then the walk home from there on a colorful fall day was fun, ending with a beautiful overlook of Lake Superior once again. What a place to call home!!!

Ted