West Rim Trail Maintenance & Improvements!

Volunteers!

Visitors to the Big Ravine West Rim Trail should enjoy a more comfortable walk following recent maintenance work by Bayfield Area Trails volunteers. Guided by crew leader Bill Bland, volunteers worked on Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, removing tripping hazards like rocks and roots, filling in dips with dirt, creating rock steps, and leveling the trail, in three different areas.

​Bill Bland said that when he moved to the area six years ago, the Big Ravine West Rim Trail was, he thought, the best, closest trail to town—and, for that reason, got the most use. “But over time,” Bill said, “because of heavy usage, the trail got ratty in spots. Dirt gets kicked aside, and stones and roots emerge. A little effort toward trail maintenance can make a big difference.”

​As Bill spoke, visitors from Atlanta and Florida proved his point about trail usage. “We just wanted to get out of town,” one woman said. “We’ve been to Madeline Island, took the Apostle Island cruise —and then we found this trail and we liked it because it’s right here by Bayfield.” 
The women were interested to learn that everyone working on the trail was a volunteer. Kate Kitchell, BATs Committee Chair, pointed out that aside from a small project on the Gil Larsen Trail last summer, this was the first BATs project led and undertaken solely by volunteers. “It’s great! That’s the way it should be!” Kate said.

Visitors from Atlanta and Florida.

​BATs volunteers who worked on West Rim Trail included Jackson Beckman, Bill Bland, Mark Filonowich, Neil Howk, John Ipsen, Kate Kitchell, Gene Lemmenes, Ted May, Leo Stern, Cyndi Taylor, and Kris Wegerson.

​What’s the next opportunity to volunteer with Bayfield Area Trails? The BATs Trails Subcommittee will be looking for help on the Jerry Jolly Trails’ Overlook Loop during the week of July 24-30. Under the leadership of Mike Kinnee and Genevieve Johnson, the work will consist of clearing encroaching vegetation and re-establishing the trail between the Pikes Creek bridge and the Overlook. The crew will also install about 30 feet of boardwalk and a small wooden footbridge on the trail along Pikes Creek. Learn more about signing up to receive BATs updates, and volunteer, by clicking here.

​The more volunteers, the merrier!