NEWS |
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 After 16 months of surveys, land sales, discussions among landowners, land ownership research, and WAITING PATIENTLY, it has been found that the access road (aka Angler Access Trail) along Pikes Creek is a public road and open for public access. Many thanks go to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) real estate and legal staff for conducting exhaustive records research which determined that the "St. Paul Road" along Pikes Creek was never abandoned; therefore, the Town of Bayfield still controls the 66-foot-wide right of way for this road and it remains a public road. A small portion of the St. Paul Road right of way has been eroded by the creek, but the road remains wide enough for access and maintenance. The Town, in consultation with the DNR, has decided to re-open this up for non-motorized public access and motorized use for the purposes of maintenance and emergency response. The Town will be communicating with the adjacent landowner about removing signs, survey stakes, and other items they have placed on the right-of-way. In the meantime, PLEASE DO NOT TAMPER WITH THE SIGNS ETC. We will keep you posted as things progress. The trail can be accessed either from the Les Voigt Fish Hatchery parking lot on Highway 13 south of Bayfield, or from the main Mt. Ashwabay parking lot.  Click map image to enlarge. Mark your calendars for volunteer work days on the Pileated Woodpecker Trail on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1 from 9 am to Noon - more information will follow.
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 Noah and Mike secure the boardwalk. Chainsaws, rogue hoes, and drills…oh my! On Friday and Saturday September 12th and 13th, fourteen Bayfield Area Trails volunteers teamed up with the Town of Bayview to reroute 200 feet of the trail away from the ravine edge and to manage drainage along the trail. The reroute will make winter hiking easier by avoiding icy conditions along the top of the ravine’s steep slope. Mike Bunch initiated clearing the new trail corridor, followed by chain sawyers Ted May, John Ipsen, Kris Wegerson, and Mic Pelech who then cleared trees and deadfall along the entire new route.
Noah Michaelsen led carpentry work that included building protective fencing in front of viewpoints into the ravine and three sections of boardwalk across dips along the new trail route. Bob Feyen commandeered the power wagon on loan from Bayfield County and Landmark Conservancy. It was used to transport gravel to the new trail to fill low spots where water could pool during spring and heavy rains. The rest of the crew created the hiking trail tread, blocked off the old trail with the material cut from the new corridor, and installed treated wood structures to manage water drainage.
 Ta da! Ted May, Gerry Miller, and Lindley Mattson take a rest after building 8 box steps. PHEW!!
Many thanks to volunteers John Ipsen, Nan Fey, Mark Filonowich, Ted May, Gerry Miller, Gene Lemmenes, Mark Peterson, and Kate Kitchell for their hard work on this very ambitious project! They were supervised by friendly dogs during the process. This project would not have been possible without tremendous support from Lindley Mattson and Sara Hudson from Bayfield County Forestry and Parks, including providing pre-cut lumber and rebar for the steps, shuttling materials and tools to the site, and mowing all of the existing trails. Kate Kitchell, BATs Committee Chair, noted that the footpath has been included in Bayfield County maps for at least 20 years—which explains the faded trailhead post at the Overlook. But beyond the post, there was overgrowth, eroded tread, a hazardous switchback down to a tributary, and a steep climb on the other side. No More! Using Rogue hoes and hard rakes to cut through soil and roots, John, Nan, and Kate restored the trail tread, widened the path, and reestablished side drainage. Gene took the lead in creating a crossing at the tributary using stepping stones and rock armoring.
Ted, Gerry, Lindley, Kate, Mark, and Nan installed a total of 16 box steps on the steep ravine on the south side and cleared the trail leading to the Jolly Long. The new path is a lovely, tree-lined trail along a steep ravine with views of a cedar stand and towering white pines. A Favorite Fall and Winter Trail
Jerry's Meadow Loop
One-third of a mile into the hike is Jerry’s Meadow Loop (.3 mi), followed by a forested trail that descends to Pikes Creek. At the base of the ravine, hikers can choose a shortcut to the creekside path or take a longer walk along the water. Pike's Creek
Pikes Creek is a high-quality trout stream, draining about 30 square miles and dropping 400 feet before entering Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay near the Les Voigt Fish Hatchery and the Salmo Trail. The creek usually runs clear and is especially stunning when reflecting the fall colors or flowing around snow-capped stones.
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