An Action-Packed World Trails Weekend!

NOTE: All images in this post can be enlarged by clicking.

Bayfield Area Trails committee members, volunteers, and newcomers to the Bayfield Peninsula’s trails community, celebrated five years of Bayfield Area Trails activities!  The celebration took place at the Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery, and at the Big Ravine Headwaters, during World Trails Weekend, June 1st and 2nd.

The celebration included a wide range of programs, starting with early bird walks, followed by a talk on the Pikes Creek watershed, field season updates from Bayfield Area Trails committee members, highlights of volunteer opportunities, and a wrap up dedication of the new pond overlook platform and trails at the Big Ravine Headwaters. Despite the downpour, 55 trails enthusiasts attended the Saturday celebration, including 15 new volunteers.

Thank Goodness for the Tents!

In keeping with the record-breaking year of rainfall, Saturday morning started with heavy rains. But, thanks to tents donated by the Bayfield Winery/Blue Ox Cider and Brickyard Creek, everyone was under the same tent, both physically and figuratively!

Click images to enlarge:

Thank You!!

​We would have been lost without equipment donations! Thank you:

• Bayfield Winery/Blue Ox Cider - large tents
• Brickyard Creek - smaller tent
• Mt. Ashwabay - chairs & tables
• Bayfield Chamber - projector, screen, & PA system

The Best Food & Coffee!

2024 World Trails Day Refreshments Table

There’s nothing like a weekend morning with baked goods and a great cup of coffee! Many thanks to Sue Aiken for coordinating with a dozen volunteer bakers for tasty treats; and to Jeff and Diane Garrett for outstanding coffee and lovely set up.

You Are Here - The Pikes Creek Watershed

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Regional Ecologist Ryan Magana shed new light on the land use history and special ecological features of the Pikes Creek watershed.

View PDF of Presentation (10.9MB)

Ryan Magana - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Regional Ecologist

Round Robin Field Season Reports

Members of the Bayfield Area Trails Committee highlighted their current focus areas.
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• Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa: Trails Feasibility Study; Red Cliff to Bayfield link
• City of Bayfield: Big Ravine, “Sweeny Loop,” Dalrymple to Wash. Ave beach
• Town of Bayfield: Big Ravine Headwaters: Pileated Woodpecker; Bayfield Hill links
• Landmark Conservancy: Brownstone Trail; Brownstone to Salmo
• Bayfield County: Siskiwit Preserve; Fire Hill; Ashwahalla; Kettles; Jerry Jolly to Cornucopia
• Town of Bell & CTC: Siskiwit Preserve; west side of Peninsula
• Ashwabay Alliance: Ashwabay trails; Upper Pileated Woodpecker Trail; Ashwahalla
• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: Mainland Trail; Little Sand Bay Trails

Kate Kitchell talks about the Big Ravine Headwaters and Pileated Woodpecker Trail.

Kristin Thompson from Landmark Conservancy

Here are some more of our fantastic presenters. Click images to enlarge.

Calling All Volunteers!

Genevieve Johnson

Genevieve Johnson shared info. about the Adopt-a-Trail program as a way for folks to care for trails while taking a walk on their favorite trail three times a year.

Kris Wegerson

Kris Wegerson, Trails Subcommittee Chair, described the main volunteer projects on the calendar: 1) finishing the Upper Pileated Woodpecker Trail; 2) Drainage and gravel on the Brownstone Trail; 3) a short new connector at the Jerry Jolly Overlook; and 4) Big Ravine East Rim gravel.

Peter Rothe

With his own special flavor of humor, Peter Rothe aimed to lure volunteers to assist with trail user surveys as part of the upcoming study about how trails impact our local economy.

View 2024 Project Calendar

Launching the Bayfield Peninsula Trails Plan

The Trails Celebration marked the launch of a planning effort to develop a comprehensive, long-term, & sustainable Bayfield Peninsula trails plan and a strategy. Bayfield Area Trails Committee Chair Kate Kitchell introduced this year-long effort, calling on participants to provide their suggestions for improving existing trails. Recommendations were also requested for potential new trails. The goal is to create a Peninsula-wide silent sports trails network.

Hover/tap the image carousel below for navigation & viewing options.

The plan will be supported by a technical assistance grant from the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program and a grant from the Apostle Islands Area Community Fund. BAT Committee members, stationed at tables around the tent, discussed maps and gathered ideas from attendees. This was just the beginning of the process. Community members will have more opportunities to provide input and review progress during the planning process.

View Full Presentation PDF (2.5MB)

A picture is worth a 1000 words! View the Long-Term Overview Planning Map

View Map (PDF)

Please provide your suggestions or sign up to volunteer this year.

Open Sign-up Form

There's Lots Going on at the Hatchery

We all thank the hatchery hosts for making this event extra special. And, to top it all off, the sun came out just in time for a guided tour of the hatchery with manager Darren Miller. Between growing fish and creating great bird habitat, to restoring the old R.D. Pike building, there’s a lot going on at Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery!

New Hatchery interpretive sign.

Below are images from the Hatchery tour conducted by Darren Miller, Operations Supervisor of the Les Voigt and Brule Hatcheries for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Hover/tap the image carousel below for navigation & viewing options.

Wrap Up with the Big Ravine Headwaters Dedication Celebration

In Sunday afternoon’s sunshine, a couple dozen supporters gathered at the Headwaters pond overlook platform to say thanks to all who made a dream become a reality. Erika Lang from Landmark Conservancy emceed the gathering. She gave special recognition to Ed Rabideaux for leaving a lasting legacy by selling the 10-acre parcel for conservation and public enjoyment. 

Tom Gordon, previous Town of Bayfield Board Chair, reflected on how working together with public and private partners is a fantastic way to get things done. Glenn Guntenspergen from the Biodiversity Fund, one of the grantors, reminded everyone how places like the Headwaters connect people with the natural world and inspire land stewardship. 

To wrap up the weekend celebration, the banner was cut to a round of cheers and applause! Hooray for all!!

Hover/tap the image carousel below for navigation & viewing options.

Trail Note:

We originally planned to dedicate the Pileated Woodpecker trail as well. However, access from the Les Voigt Hatchery remains closed beyond the Red Dam gate.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bayfield County, and private landowners are working to determine property boundaries and options for re-establishing access. Thank you for respecting the closure.

​BUT…the trail can be accessed from Mt. Ashwabay and will be much improved after volunteers finish the corridor that was cleared last fall. Volunteer recruitment for that project will start in mid-July. Come on out and help!

View Trail Closure Map PDF (1.2MB)

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!

A small army of fabulous volunteers made the 2024 Bayfield Area Trails Celebration possible!!

• Kris Wegerson - ringleader
• Ted May
• Sue Aiken
• Peter Rothe
• Jeff Garrett
• Kate Kitchell
• John Ipsen
• Mark Peterson
• Liz Fentres

• Neil Howk
• Phil Bratsch
• Genevieve Johnson
• Mary Ledin
• Jeff Olsen
• Rich Metcalfe
• Brenda Kaese
• Tony Jeannette

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