BATs Most Ambitious Trail Project is in Full-Swing

We build the bridge! The new bridge on the new Pike's Creek Trail.

Bayfield Area Trails (BATs) had saws slicing, Pulaskis pounding, and loppers lopping, as the first phase of its largest and most ambitious trail project was recently completed on October 29th, promising new opportunities for non-motorized recreation by foot, such as walking, running, and snowshoeing.

Pike's Creek Trail Map. Click to enlarge image.

The new trail passes through 3 giant poplars.

​This is an entirely new 1.3-mile trail to connect the Red Dam Fisherman Access Trail at the Les Voight Fish Hatchery just south of Bayfield on Highway 13 to the existing and popular Jolly Loop Trail at Mt. Ashwabay.

​Traversing Wisconsin DNR property with a 12-foot-wide approved easement, the scenic trail crosses Pikes Creek and climbs up a ravine through oak, maple, birch and fir forests to a prominent ridge from which a short spur trail leads to a bench overlooking a portion of the valley below. From this ridge, the gradient moderates along a plateau, crossing the Xcel power line corridor to tie-in with the eastern flank of the Jolly Loop.  When completed as planned in 2023, it will be possible to travel on trails from the fish hatchery all the way to the base of Mt. Ashwabay, or to the Jerry Jolly trailhead on Star Route, for an ambitious wildland excursion of at least a few hours or more.

Will Krift of Trails Anonymous provided his expertise, volunteer supervision, and operation of a mini excavator to ensure a final product everyone can all be proud of. 

“Working with Will is always great. He is a talented trail builder who knows how to make hard work fun,” said trail volunteer Gene “The Machine” Lemmenes.  

“This has been the most complex project undertaken by Bayfield Area Trails to date due to the trail length, the relative inaccessibility of the route, and transporting equipment and materials,” observed John Ipsen, BATs Trails Subcommittee member and dedicated volunteer.  “Xcel Energy has been great to work with, allowing us to use the power line road to access the trail,” he added. “That access greatly reduced the amount of time spent by volunteers to get to the trail.” 

Building a Bridge Slideshow

In advance of building the trail tread, Ted May, Peter Rothe, and Kate Kitchell used chainsaws, loppers, and muscle to clear the trail corridor. While Will and volunteers built the trail tread, Sean Reagan led the construction of a small bridge to protect a drainage on top of the plateau as well as facilitate emergency access. He also mowed between the power line and the Jolly Long Trail to make the final trail connection. 

Altogether, 34 volunteers contributed over 320 hours working on the new trail, flagging the trail corridor, cutting trees and small shrubs, removing stumps, hauling and dispersing trail vegetation, and raking a smooth four-foot-wide tread.  After the snow melts next spring, follow-up work will address drainage and other residual needs to create a finished trail.

In 2022, BATs received $21,150 from donations and grants to kick off the project. This recent trail-building cost a little over $11,000, leaving funding available to put toward the cost of constructing a substantial steel or fiberglass reinforced plastic bridge to cross Pikes Creek that will withstand the periodic high-water events that can flash through the riparian corridor. To achieve this second phase of the trail in the summer of 2023, BATs will continue fundraising for the bridge, expected to cost as much as $55,000.

Trail Preview

For now, the trail is best accessed via the Jolly Long trail at Mt. Ashwabay. The creek crossing bridge from the Hatchery trail is not in place yet. Stay tuned for opportunities to help with this next important phase of construction.

 “The project couldn’t have happened without the enthusiastic support from the Town of Bayfield,” said Kate Kitchell, BATs Committee Chair.  “They’ve been great to work with. They have provided support from the Town Plan Commission and Town Board as well as helpful staff to support the administration of funds.  Carol Fahrenkrog, the Town Representative who serves on the BATs Committee, has provided essential communication”. 
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While this project has been challenging, the toughest part might be finding a name for the new trail.  In that pursuit, BATs is seeking suggestions for the trail name.  Email your ideas by clicking the button at the bottom of this post!

​We would like to have all submissions by December 1.

Submit Trail Name Ideas

Thank You!

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A big THANK YOU to all donors, funders and volunteers!

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Donors:

• Ted and Tracy May
• Kathleen Russell
• Genevieve Johnson and Mike Kinnee
• Mike Eldred and Kate Kitchell
• Jen Maytum and Mick Parent
• Sue Aiken
• Three anonymous donors​

Funders:

• Bayfield County Health
• Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation's Apostle Island Area Community Fund
• Town of Bayfield