September was Jam-packed with Projects!

Mic and Geary at Maxwell Forest

Maxwell Forest: September 11th & 12th
The month started with two big days at the Maxwell Forest property on the White River west of Ashland. On September 11th & 12th, a hard-working crew of volunteers turned out to improve the trails and get to know this newly protected property. As the previous owner, Northland College’s students and faculty built a trail system, but it needed some care.

On Friday afternoon, volunteers helped Bayfield County Forestry staff to remove components of an old challenge course. They also helped clean the small observatory building which we hope both novice and experienced astronomers will use in the future. Still other volunteers tackled re-positioning the trail boardwalk and clearing brush along the sides and above the trail.

On Saturday, a group of volunteers worked on sections of the trail deeper in the forest where tasks included more brush clearing and some saw work to move downed trees. Others worked to stabilize boardwalks and improve tread along a rerouted section. Future trail workdays will focus on widening a benched section of the trail to create a more stable path and building more boardwalk. Thanks to volunteers, the property now has a much more inviting trail that will help visitors enjoy a variety of non-motorized recreational activities.

Nan and Bruce brushing trail.

Joyce building reroute.

Kris and John on boardwalk.

Kris on boardwalk.

A round of applause to volunteers, many of whom regularly volunteer for Bayfield Area Trails:

Sue Aiken
Roger Aiken
Joyce Cielecki
Bob Durfey
Liz Fentress
​Nan Fey

John Ipsen
Ellie Kracht
Joe Kravet
​Jon Martin
Richard Metcalfe
Gerry Miller

Bruce Moore
Mic Pelech
Geary Searfoss
John Simonson
​Kris Wegerson​

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Frog Bay Boardwalk: September 15th – 17th and 22nd – 23rd
If you walk the lower section of Frog Bay Tribal National Park’s trail, you will now see a beautiful new boardwalk replacing corduroy log crossings in low saturated areas. The first week started with a tutorial from Custom Manufacturing staff who worked with project leader Ron Nordin from the Red Cliff Treaty Natural Resources Division to lead crews from Red Cliff, Bayfield School’s High School Alt. Ed. program, and Bayfield Area Trails volunteers to construct over 160 feet of boardwalk with materials purchased from Custom Manufacturing.

Volunteer Nan Fey shuttling deck boards.

Bayfield School Alt. Ed. Students at work.

Ron did an amazing job rounding up volunteers for the project: there were so many workers from a variety of places, only an estimate of the number of people was available, totaling over 30 people, young and old, all together. “I love seeing the students out here, enjoying the outdoors and gaining building skills,” said Chris Morgan, who developed the original plan for the trail for the Red Cliff Tribe through an assistance agreement with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program.

The new boardwalk will make it easier for trail users to access additional sections of Frog Bay’s beach and to walk the full ravine-to-beach loop. Bayfield Area Trails volunteer Nan Fey remarked, “It was a lot of work hauling the materials into the project site, but it was well worth it.”

The new long boardwalk section.

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Better Together: September 16th & 17th
We were honored that Old National Bank selected Bayfield Area Trails for their “Better Together” volunteer project this year. On Wednesday September 16th, two bank employees worked with John Ipsen and Kris Wegerson to replenish gravel at select locations on the Brownstone Trail near the Waterford Condominiums. Then, on Thursday September 17th, with assistance from Bob Durfey, two others refreshed the stain on the Brownstone Trail entrance kiosk in Bayfield by the Blackhawk boat launch. Thank you, Old National Bank, for your support!

Chris spreads gravel.

Angie spreads gravel while John and Kris assist.

Brownstone kiosk bench before.

Chris and Angie from Old National Bank.

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Big Ravine Improvements: September 25th & 26th
On Friday September 25th, Jon Crump, Neil Howk, Kate Kitchell, and Jeff Nelson cleaned up old cans and bottles, large pieces of rusted metal, and broken glass, where a section of a new proposed trail would cross an old dump site west of the Bayfield cemetery. The proposed trail would create a connection between the south end of Martin Rd. at the cemetery and the water well and tank at the top of north Fifth St. in Bayfield via the Sweeny Ave. right-of-way corridor.

Thanks to the City Public Works Department for hauling off the metal and trash bags.

On the morning of the 26th, the wheelbarrow brigade shuttled 7 yards of wood chips to the viewing platform at the Big Ravine Headwaters. Gerry Miller skillfully loaded the wheelbarrows with his tractor loader, while Gene Lemmenes, Chris Nybo, & Kate Kitchell wheeled the chips to the platform area where Bob Feyen and Sheree Peterson raked and tamped the chips to level to the uneven ground.

​The chips also suppress vegetation growth to help keep the pond view open so visitors can watch nature’s show of turtles, ducks, herons, songbirds, and…yes…BEAVERS! The crew was entertained by the resident beavers’ amazing logging activity. So far, they have spared the boardwalk. But…the fall isn’t over yet. Cross your fingers!

Please don't fall on the boardwalk!

Beaver activity by the boardwalk to the viewing platform.

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NEXT PROJECT AT HOUGHTON FALLS PRESERVE ON OCTOBER 9th & 10th
Details to follow

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