Volunteers Launch the Season with Two Projects

Big Ravine Headwaters Boardwalk.

Fourteen Bayfield Area Trails volunteers slogged through the mud at the Big Ravine Headwaters and navigated through fallen trees at Frog Bay Tribal National Park to ready trails for use this season.

On May 8th – 10th, Bob Feyen, John Ipsen and Kris Wegerson planned and led the construction of 250 feet of puncheon-style boardwalk at the Big Ravine Headwaters. Thanks to enthusiastic help from Sue Aiken, Jon Crump, Paul Kaese, Gene Lemmenes, Tina Martin, Rich Metcalfe, and Jeff Nelsen, trail users can now easily access the viewing platform at the pond overlook, even during mud season. Although the other trail that heads north toward the Bayfield Winery/Blue Ox Cider also has some new short boardwalk sections in the muddiest spots, mud boots are recommended until things dry out.  

Jeff Nelson and John Ipsen set a 2x12 in place.

After two days of rain and wind, May 23rd emerged as a gloriously calm and sunny day that inspired six folks to venture out on the trail at Frog Bay Tribal National Park. Ashley Huinker from Treaty Natural Resources Division guided BAT trained chain sawyers and swampers to clear several trees that had blown down and made the trail difficult to travel.

​Crew leader Ted May was joined by Fred Clark, John Ipsen, John Olson, and Kris Wegerson. With the incredible depth of skill/experience, they finished the work in less than a day. Per Ted May, “It’s a beautiful trail – now more open and safe.” 

Fred Clark sizes up a big blowdown at Frog Bay.

Enjoying a break on the beach at Frog Bay.

Spring was bursting forth in the Frog Bay TNP woods, with the sights and sounds of Black-throated Blue Warblers, Magnolia Warblers, Ovenbirds, Northern Parulas, Black-throated Green Warblers, Black & White Warblers, Hermit Thrushes, Black-capped Chickadees and others.

Please join us as a volunteer: keep your eyes peeled for a call for volunteers for the next project scheduled for June 6th – 9th on the Big Ravine’s Flying Squirrel and West Rim Trails.

JOIN US AS A VOLUNTEER