The Upper Pileated Woodpecker Trail is Open & Ready!

During September and October, Bayfield Area Trails Committee partners contributed lots of time, equipment, and energy to prepare the Upper Pileated Woodpecker Trail for hikers and snowshoers this fall and winter. And now it’s ready for YOU to enjoy!
 
The trail can be accessed at the start of the nordic ski trails at Mount Ashwabay. A trail sign marks the start of the trail and provides information about distances to trail intersections and the Pikes Creek bridge.

Although the trail between the bridge and the fish hatchery is still closed to public use due to a  land ownership dispute, it is a nice 1.8-mile hike to Chickadee Point and 2.2-mile hike to the bridge, making it about 4.5 miles round trip from Mount Ashwabay. The fall colors may be starting to fade, but the grouse are still drumming and the woods are peaceful.

If you make it to the bridge you will see signs of the high water overtopping the boardwalks and bridge during the June flood: woody debris on the upstream side and remnants of mud and leaves on the decking. The bridge is secure and intact; but there is cleanup work to do, once public access is reestablished.

Status Update on the Hatchery Access

Reestablishing public access behind the Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery remains a priority for the Wisconsin DNR. The DNR and Bayfield County are working on a land sale that would transfer three small parcels of property from the County to the DNR. This will be the first step toward reestablishing trail access. DNR continues to research the legal status of the old access road that had been used for many years for public access. The findings of this research will be pivotal in reestablishing access. The DNR recently met with the private landowner to convey their intent to reestablish public access.

Please continue to respect the trail closure until legal public access is reestablished. Thank you for your cooperation!

Generous support from Bayfield County Forestry and Parks donated John Mesko’s time and heavy equipment skills to repair the deteriorated skid road at the upper section of the trail as well as one day of a Fecon mulching machine to create a clean and smooth trail surface in the newest trail segment. 

Doug Olson and the Mount Ashwabay crew hauled several loads of rock to fill a drainage crossing. 

Ted May, Gene Lemmenes, John Ipsen, Kris Wegerson, Tracy May, Mike Kinnee and Jeff Martin put in the finishing touches by hand, clipping overhanging branches; digging out exposed trippy roots and stumps; cleaning up or fixing water diversions; and adding a couple small water diversions.

In addition to leading to Chickadee Point and Pikes Creek, the Upper PWT connects to the Jolly Long Loop and ultimately to the Jerry Jolly Trails. Follow the signs and discover the adventure out there!