At the entrance to the Salmo Trail south of Bayfield a new sign now marks the site of the 1884 Pikes Creek train wreck that took ten lives.

Bob Mackreth & Neil Howk developed the sign and installed it with assistance from John Ipsen.

This was made possible by a grant from the Apostle Islands Historic Preservation Conservancy and support from the Town of Bayfield who manages the Salmo Trail.

​Marking this site is a major step in correcting a long-time omission in the preservation of the Chequamegon region's historical record. 

The Brownstone Trail near the Wild Rice Retreat (WRR) was rehabbed in two areas with a fresh dressing of gravel the last week of October.  A donation from Heidi Zimmer at WRR supported the purchase of over 7 tons of gravel that was transported and distributed by a team of several volunteers. Rex Dollinger provided his trailer and hauled the gravel from the Maki Brothers to the end of Chequamegon Rd, and then to Blue Wing Bay Rd. 

The first location below WRR becomes very wet after spring thaws and rain events; the gravel is intended to elevate the trail tread and mitigate wet and muddy conditions. 
Volunteers moved nearly 3 tons of gravel by wheelbarrow from the turnaround on Chequamegon Rd to the trail and spread it along the trail. Many thanks to Rex, Rich Metcalfe, Phil Petersen, Beth Gall, John Ipsen and Kris Wegerson for their help!

​The following morning, Steve and Cami Smalley hooked up Rex’s trailer with another ton plus of gravel to their UTV at Blue Wing Bay Rd. and brought it to the top of the hill by the boat house. This area of the trail was worn thin by foot and bike travel. 

​Steve and Cami maneuvered the UTV and pushed the trailer with gravel down the steep hill. They and Rich Metcalf, John Ipsen and Kris Wegerson shoveled and raked the gravel onto the trail. Many thanks to Steve and Cami, Rich, John and Kris for completing this project!

The final aspect of the project was to rake leaves and debris out of drainage ditches on both sides of the trail and a box culvert which had become loaded with leaves near the Wild Rice Retreat. These ditches and culvert are meant to channel water off of the trail in order to keep the trail dry after the spring thaw and after rain events. This raking was completed in early November by Rich Metcalfe, John Ipsen and Kris Wegerson.

​Many thanks to all of the volunteers who helped to improve the Brownstone Trail this fall!

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, October 9, I decided to go out for a walk – to better understand my surroundings on a bit larger scale.

I was able to walk a loop down to Bayfield and around mostly on the Bayfield Area Trails (BAT) network of trails – so I was on very lightly-traveled roads to and from these trails for just 6 miles of my 18-mile exploratory hike. We are blessed with many trails in the region, and a rich landscape of cleanliness, color and peace.

We are also blessed to live near to the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, who have been taking care of the Earth in this area for many hundreds of years. Thank you to the indigenous peoples of the area - for the beauty that surrounds us here – you have been exceptional stewards of the land and water. Miigwech!

​On the way to the start, there were bluebirds out on the phone lines near Hauser’s – a nice omen for a fine day.  Starting on trails at Gracie’s Trail, which took me to the new Headwater’s Trail and overlook.  From there onto the big ravine trails along the East Rim and down to Bayfield from there. 

​A quick jaunt across Bayfield to the Brownstone Trail which is always a delight. 

​Then over to the Fish Hatchery and the Pileated Woodpecker Trail (Meme Miikana), where I saw the most people.

Rich Ryan was putting in steps on our box steps – and doing a delightful job at that – very artistic! 

I then saw Neil Howk out for a walk on the trail, and two other couples.  Fun to see people exploring our new trail on this delightful fall day. 

​While there, were no pileated woodpeckers on the trail. I did hear/see several of them before returning home.