Maintenance and Refresh Work on the Brownstone Trail

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!