Big Blow Brings Big Change in the Big Ravine

Clearing in progress.

Chequamegon Bay area residents will long remember April 17, 2026, when supercell storms came on fast and furious. Severe thunderstorms, high winds, and tornado warnings stretched across the cities of Bayfield, Washburn and Ashland. Washburn sustained heavy tree damage, downed trees and power outages. A tornado (one of at least 13 reported in Wisconsin that day) touched down in Ashland County southeast of Clam Lake causing property damage, downed trees and power outages.

How old do you think this tree was?

This event brought big changes in the Big Ravine, blowing down three large iconic trees - a hemlock, oak, and white pine - across the Gil Larsen Trail below the Bayfield school. Several other trees fell across the creek and in other nearby locations.
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With the City of Bayfield’s approval, Bayfield Area Trails volunteers rallied for three rounds of work to clear the trail, creek and surrounding area. It was difficult to know how to tackle this situation due to the massive size of the trees and the inability to remove them from the site. But, folks just went to work to make the trail passable and safe for use.

An extra special thanks to Fred Clark, who spent two and a half hours in his busy schedule on April 23, 2026, to take the first crack at clearing the daunting jumble. With swamping support from Kris Wegerson, Fred used his forestry skills to deftly buck and limb the large diameter trees.

In a second round, volunteers John Ipsen, Kris Wegerson, and Peter Wisla were able to complete opening the trail two days later, thanks to Fred’s earlier work. They also cleared a tree that damaged the railing and blocked the School Trail and removed a hazard tree leaning over the trail on the Sweeney Switchback Trail.

Fred Clark at work during round 1 of trail clearing.

Round two crew - Peter, Kris, and John.

Round three strategy session.

Making headway clearing the trees off of the trail.

Phil Petersen removes a large willow from the creek.

On the morning of May 8th, eleven more volunteers gathered for round three. Bob Kelly picked up where Fred left off, applying his chainsaw skills to complete cutting the fallen trees into large log chunks. Phil Petersen chainsawed the other downed trees in and around the trail and creek. Other volunteers muscled large logs into place along the edge of the trail, bucked up limbs and brush, and dispersed materials across the area.

Moving big heavy logs chunks.

To put icing on the cake, Dave Doering, Tech. Ed. teacher at the Bayfield School, worked with some of his students to repair the broken railings along the School Trail.

Both the Gil Larsen and School Trails are open and safe for use again. But, be prepared for a dramatically different scene that will remain long after we’re gone. The skeletons of the iconic trees lay across the slope, large log chunks line the trail, and brush piles protect the creek banks. 

Round two - The trail is clear! Hooray!!

Hopefully, there are new niches where pioneering plants can take root and wildlife can create new homes so that the Big Ravine ecosystem continues to evolve while providing a special place for us to enjoy.

Thanks again to our 15 trail volunteers who dedicated 65+ hours.
​You are AMAZING!

Round One: Friday April 24th (2.5 hrs.)

Fred Clark - Chainsawyer
Kris Wegerson - Chainsawer & Swamper
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Round Two: Saturday April 25th (5.5 hrs.)

Kris Wegerson - Chainsawyer
John Ipsen - Chainsawyer
Peter Wisla - Swamper

Round Three: Friday May 8th (4 hrs.)

Bob Kelly - Chainsawyer
Phil Petersen - Chainsawyer
Jon Crump
Kate Kitchell
Todd Larson
Gerry Miller
Scott Nesvold
Mic Pelech
David Saetre
Erik Scott
Doug Welty