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Bayfield's Winter Recreation
Table of Contents
Mount Ashwabay Ski and Recreation Area
Located three miles south of Bayfield, Mt. Ashwabay offers both cross-country and alpine skiing in a magnificent setting, featuring stunning views of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the Chequamegon National Forest. Cross-country trails cover 35 km of wilderness trails with ratings from beginner to expert. All trails are groomed and tracked as needed. The beginner’s trail is the picturesque Sugar Bush Trail. Intermediate terrain can be enjoyed on Anchor, Seagull and Raven trails. Advanced skiers can venture out on the longer 15 km loop, which combines Sugar Bush, Deer Path and Raven trails, returning to the Mt. Ashwabay chalet. Food, lounge, instruction and equipment rental are available at the chalet.
Report by John Telford: April 1, 2008
Downhill Report:
Closed for the Season.
Cross Country Report:
Unknown
Download a trail map (pdf)
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Jerry Jay Jolly - Pikes Creek Trail Network
You are about to experience the close-knit relationship between the Mt. Ashwabay Education Foundation and Bayfield County’s Departments of Tourism-Recreation and Forestry. The Star Route parking lot is the jumping off point for access to 15 more kilometers of groomed cross-county ski trails. These trails traverse the land Jerry Jay Jolly donated, and trail easements on the 160 acre parcel the family maintains to the south of Pike’s Creek.
To the south and west, the trails meander through over one thousand acres of Bayfield County Forest, Wisconsin’s Nourse Sugarbush Natural Area, and the Mt. Ashwabay Recreational Area. The Ashwabay trails, those to the south of Sugarbush Road, require users to purchase a daily or seasonal pass. These passes may be obtained at the Mt. Ashwabay Chalet. Trail user fees and donations made to the Ashwabay Education Foundation, earmarked for crosscountry ski trail maintenance, will go a long way in keeping this entire network groomed for your enjoyment.
Report by John Telford: April 1, 2008
Unknown
Download a trail map (pdf)
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Mt Valhalla Winter Sports Area
Ten miles west of Washburn, on County C, is the Valhalla Winter Sports Area nestled in the Chequamegon National Forest, offering two sets of cross-country ski trails developed and groomed by the U.S. Forest Service. The three Valkyrie loops run through red and jack pine forests, with magnificent views of the area on the Sun Bowl Loop. The Teton Ski Trail also features three loops in a mixed birch and maple forest with a roller coaster near the end of loop "B". The entire Teton Trail is groomed for skating. County C runs between Valkyrie and Teton with parking area and rustic chalet on the Teton side of C.
Report by Karen Larsen: March 24, 2008
All snowmobile trails within the Washburn Ranger District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest officially closed last Friday. All forest visitors are reminded that the annual Spring closure for ATV, horse and mountain bike use, began March 15th and runs through April 30th.
Cross-Country Ski Report:
Drummond Ski Trails: unknown
Mount Valhalla trails: All loops of the Valkyrie and Teuton Cross Country Ski Trails were last groomed on Monday the 24th. Grooming was attempted this morning but discontinued as efforts were doing more harm than good. Current conditions are good, but are expected to degrade over the next week with daytime temperatures expected into the 40s.
Forest Visitors: Please remember that the Valhalla parking areas require a $5 daily fee or an annual parking pass. Daily passes can be purchased on site, and annual passes are available at district offices and area vendors. The 2007 forest passes are valid until March 31, 2008.
Download a Valhalla trail map (pdf)
Download a Bayfield County Snowmobile Map (10 MB pdf)
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Snowshoe Trails
If skiing isn't quite your cup of tea, but you are still looking to explore the beautiful trails Bayfield has to offer at this time of year, snowshoeing is always a great adventure. The Brownstone Trail runs along an old railroad bed which skirts the lakeshore just south of Bayfield. Trailhead access is at the kiosk on Third Street, kitty-corner from Maggie's Restaurant. You'll enjoy splendid views of Madeline Island, see people ice-fishing in the Chequamegon Bay and enjoy the sights and sounds of winter in Bayfield.
The Ravine Snowshoe Trail travels uphill along the steep, hemlock-studded rim of the big ravine. Take young children by the hand! Trailhead access is on 4th Street uphill to the Bayfield School. Turn left on Sweeny and park at the baseball field. The trail is behind the fence to the right. Also a part of this trail system is the Iron Bridge Nature Trail. This magical winding trail is for sure footed hikers and follows the ravine creek under the old Iron Bridge and uphill to a rocky grotto with small waterfall. Pick up the trail at the Iron Bridge located at 3rd Street and Rice Avenue.
Snowshoeing is also allowed on most of the ross-country ski trails at Mount Ashwabay as well. Snowshoers are asked however to stay to the side of the main trail so that the cross-country ski trails are not disturbed.
Download a Big Ravine trail map (pdf)
Download a Brownstone trail map (pdf)
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Access to Madeline Island
Last Updated: April 1, 2008
The ice road is closed
Ice Cave Access - Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Centuries of wave action, freezing, and thawing have sculpted shorelines throughout Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Some of the Great Lakes' most spectacular scenery occurs where these forces interact with sandstone to create extensive sea caves. Nature has carved delicate arches, vaulted chambers, and honeycombed passageways into cliffs along the mainland near the Lakeshore's western boundary North of Meyers Beach. People come to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in winter to visit the sea caves and witness Lake Superior's ever-changing handiwork.
Report by Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: April 1, 2008
Cave Conditions: Not Aaccessible
Current Lake ice conditions DO NOT allow access to the mainland sea caves near Meyers Beach.
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Bayfield County Snowmobile Trails
Report by Gary Dalzell April 1, 2008
Trail Conditions: Closed
Download a Bayfield County Snowmobile Map (10 MB pdf)
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Ice Fishing Report
Report by Jim Hudson: March 26, 2008
Well has spring sprung? Doesn't feel like it up here!! But even so, with the constant shine of the sun, we are starting to see some signs of weakening ice. This accompanied by strong winds, have started moving ice in the islands, where we have lost quite a bit of ice in areas. This movement of ice and losing of ice will be ever constant now, but even so, there are still areas to fish amongst the islands. Mainly towards Basswood and the south end of Hermit. But, please, becareful and check ice conditions as they will change daily and hourly on some days. Cracks will be moving a lot now too, so use caution when crossing.
In the bay itself and towards Washburn, the ice is holding well, with the only real concern being accessing the ice. Landings are starting to erode, where I suggest only using sled or wheeler traffic from now until it is foot travel only. North of Washburn to Bayfield the landings are rough as well, and the main concerns are Long Island and the south channel. This is opening up farther and farther everyday. Stay away!!! Also, anywhere in the bay or into the islands, be wary of anything that pushes out into the lake or up from the lake, as thaw and current will be more prevalent, this includes underwater points as well!!!
For fishing, the lakers are still going day to day, with the good days producing lots of fish for anglers. So any day could be a good day with the bobbing ice we have left. Near shore fishing is heating up really good. Splake, browns, steelhead, coho, herring, whitefish, smelt, etc etc are all showing signs of life. Off river mouths, the real shallow bite has started and into the bay and near shore breaks more and more fish are biting each and everyday. Jigging tactics to set rods, such as the Automatic Fisherman, are all working. Shiners, spawn, and waxies are all getting bit.
Inland waters are starting to perk up now for late ice panfishing. Thaw equals an increase in activity on Crappies, Bluegills, and Perch. Each lake is different, but look to the northern facing edges of lakes and work from there. Stained lakes will still hold a suspended bite off shore and clear water lakes will see a push of fish shallow again to feed. A variety of baits will get you bit, but during this time of the year I am running and gunning with smaller spoons and larger jigs looking for the active biters.
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