Blog Archives

Lower Big Ravine Draft Study Report

7/18/2026

Available for Public Review Until July 29th

Are you interested in the future of the Lower Big Ravine? If so, please take the time to review and provide comment on the draft study report contracted by the City of Bayfield with Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH).

Comments may be submitted in writing to [email protected] at the City of Bayfield by 5 pm July 29th. There will also be an opportunity to provide public comment at the City Parks and Recreation Committee on July 27th at 4pm (see the City website for meeting details).

Questions about the report may directed to Kate Kitchell, the City’s designated project coordinator, at [email protected].

Concept Design Recommendations Report for the Lower Big Ravine Infrastructure.

Click image to open the report. (pdf)

Topo map explaining proposed improvements.

Map of Proposed Improvements. Click map to enlarge.

0 Comments

Citizens Gathered to Discuss the Future of Trails and Biking in Bayfield County

7/2/2026

0 Comments

A community meeting focused on Bayfield County Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, with attendees seated facing two screens displaying the plan title and a presenter speaking near a podium.

On June 25th, Bayfield Area Trails (BAT) joined with the Northwest Regional Planning Commission in hosting a public meeting in Washburn to discuss the future of hiking – as well as biking and walking -- on the Bayfield Peninsula. Turnout was strong, with more than twenty-five people signing in for the BAT portion of the program -- in addition to the dozen or more current BAT volunteers and National Park Service employees who attended.

A community meeting or event inside a room with large windows and an open door letting in sunlight. Several people are engaged in conversation or reviewing information on display boards, with a man and woman in the foreground holding papers and talking.

Lots of ideas were shared!

The evening started with attendees engaging with BAT volunteers at various stations to learn about Bayfield Area Trails, the community and economic impact of silent sports study recently completed by BAT, and the draft Bayfield Peninsula Trails Plan -- a long-term blue print for creating a peninsula-wide silent sports trail system and a strategy to support it.

The Plan, which is being developed with support from the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, will outline the work to be undertaken by BAT on trails maintenance and expansion over the next 10 years. Attendees were asked to offer their thoughts -- through the use of interactive displays and maps -- on key components of the current draft.

A community meeting in a well-lit room with large windows and flags near the window, where people are engaged in conversations and reviewing informational posters and materials on tables.

Participants visited maps and posters during the open house.

Specifically, they were asked to weigh in on the timing priority of improvements to existing trails and the priority and timing of proposed new trails and trail segments over the next five and ten years, respectively. This input will be valuable as BAT’s Planning Committee continues to work to finalize the Plan.

Two men discussing a large map taped to a wall inside a room, with one man pointing at a specific area on the map.

Discussing improvements to existing trails.

Following this open house session, attendees heard short presentations from representatives for BAT and the NW Regional Planning Commission. Kate Kitchell presented on behalf of BAT and offered an overview of the planning process and the draft Plan, including its implementation component. Kate noted that 101 initial new trail and route concepts were identified through stakeholder input, and that number was whittled down to 27 priority proposals included in the plan’s ten-year horizon.

Kate emphasized that the plan is still in draft and final decisions about whether and how trails will be developed will reside with each landowner or public land manager. The evening concluded with interactive break-out sessions during which attendees and volunteers together offered feedback on ways BAT can attract additional volunteers, further engage the community on trail enhancement projects, and strengthen its communications and outreach more generally.

A man examining a large planning chart titled

Participants gave input on trails proposed for the next 5 to 10 years.

If you were unable to attend the meeting, we encourage you to review information on our Bayfield Peninsula Trails Plan webpage via this link; and provide online input via this link.

Stay Tuned!

Part One of the Draft Plan will be posted on the website by July 15th.

There was a chance to give thumbs up or thumbs down on new trail proposal.

0 Comments

Rejuvenating the Clayton Creek Trail

7/2/2026

0 Comments

Trailhead featuring a green informational sign for Clayton Creek Trail, showing a detailed map with marked parking areas, trail routes, and natural landmarks. Surrounding dense greenery and a narrow grassy path indicate the start of the hiking trail through a forested area.

The western trailhead is located behind the Red Cliff Community Health Center.

On Friday June 26th, an army of 19 trail workers rejuvenated the Clayton Creek Trail, starting from the trailhead behind the Red Cliff Community Health Center. This collaborative effort, led by Ron Nordin from the Red Cliff Treaty Natural Resources Division, included staff, interns, and volunteers from Red Cliff TNR, the Red Cliff Community Health Center, and Bayfield Area Trails.

An informational sign for Clayton Creek Trail showing a detailed map with marked trails, streams, parking area, and bridge boardwalk. Text highlights trail rules, accessibility from sunrise to sunset, prohibition of motorized traffic, and guidelines for harvesting natural resources, with contact information for reporting trail maintenance needs.

The map and narrative tell the story.

This pleasant 1-mile-long trail meanders through a variety of habitats and terrain along an ephemeral creek. Thanks to the hard work by this amazing crew, the trail is now clear of fallen trees and branches, the corridor has been brushed, the trail tread is visible and stable again, and the entrance is freshly mowed. The few small footbridges will be upgraded in the near future.

Grassy pathway bordered by tall green grass and trees under an overcast sky. A wooden post with a small sign or box is visible on the right side along the path, suggesting a nature trail or park setting.

The trail was mowed as part of the project.

THANK YOU TRAIL WORKERS!

Red Cliff Treaty Natural Resources Division

Ron Nordin – project leader
Lance Bresette
Genevieve Adamski
Jessica Jacobson
Corey Maxa
Ron Nordin III
Harly DeFoe
Jaxin Bresette

Red Cliff Community Health Center

Tina Martin - coordinator
Megan Kutz
Derek Gordon

Bayfield Area Trails Volunteers

Sheree Peterson
Stephen Virscik
Doug Welty

Three U.S. Forest Service Interns

A satellite map showing a forested area with roads, buildings, and labeled locations including Clayton Creek Trailhead.

Clayton Creek trailhead location.

0 Comments

NEWS

NEWS | Bayfield Area Trails

Lower Big Ravine Draft Study Report

Citizens Gathered to Discuss the Future of Trails and Biking in Bayfield County

Rejuvenating the Clayton Creek Trail

Blog | Bayfield Area Trails

Archives

Contact us!

Follow us!

NEWS

Lower Big Ravine Draft Study Report

Citizens Gathered to Discuss the Future of Trails and Biking in Bayfield County

Rejuvenating the Clayton Creek Trail

Archives

Contact us!​

​Follow us!

Contact us!

Follow us!