We have received notice that the logging operation in Simcoe County Forest Rathburn Tract, affecting the Orillia trail east of Orillia, are completed and the trail is now available for use.
Author: John Sloan
WARNING – WILD PARSNIP on MAD RIVER TRAIL
Wild Parsnip has been noted along the Mad River Hiking trail section in the Glencairn Conservation Area (this area is found at KM 25.3 on both the Ondago mobile app and Map 25 of the downloadable Trail Guide). Take caution when hiking through this area.
Wild parsnip is a member of the carrot/parsley family, and like giant hogweed, produces sap containing chemicals that can irritate human skin.
Further information on this plant can be found on the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) webpage.
Wild Parsnip Fact Sheet. www.nvca.on.ca/Shared%20Documents/Wild%20Parsnip%20Factsheet.pdf
2023.04.28 – Notice of Non-Maintained Section on GHTA Mad River Trail
The section of the GHTA trail from the junction of the railway line and Brentwood Road (44.35386, -79.96300) to the junction Concession 3 and the railway tracks (44.35384, -7996378) follows an abandoned railway line. Railway ties and considerably overgrowth of shrubs tangled with vines makes numerous sections of this portion of trail very difficult to hike.
Maintenance of this section of trail is planned for the future, with the County of Simcoe considering transformation of the abandoned railway line into a multi-use trail (hopefully in the not-too distant future).
This trail section remains open for use, but the Mad River team wants hikers to be aware of the difficult hiking conditions.
2023.04.21 – Logging has resumed in Simcoe County Forest Strachan Tract.
Logging operations have started up once again in Simcoe County Forest Strachan Tract, completing work that could not be done during the winter. The notice from the county forestry organization states “We have a contractor starting up in the Strachan Tract (Oro-Medonte) today. This is a continuation of a cut to complete areas that were inaccessible in the winter. Following this, they will be crossing over Bass Lake Sideroad into the North section of Strachan to complete that cut”. Until further notice please avoid the area and obey all posted signage.
2023.03.31 – Simcoe County Forest Logging Operations Update (received today).
Ganaraska related:
· 21-09-024 – Rathburn Tract – Logging operations have been completed, wood is still on site.
· 21-11-028 – Strachan Tract – Logging operations have been completed, wood is still on site and there is a small portion of wood left needing to be cut once the snow has melted.
· 22-07-018 – Orrock Creek S – Logging operations have been completed.
Other:
· 21-07-013 – Train & Stephens Tracts – Logging operations have been completed, trucking of wood is ongoing.
· 21-11-027 – Pilkie Tract – Logging operations have been completed. This was a very quick operation as majority of the cut was completed in the summer.
· 22-03-003 – Hendrie Tract – Logging operations have been completed.
· 22-07-017 – Hendrie Tract – Logging operations have begun this week in the Southwest section of the Hendrie Tract.
· 22-07-020 – Wright Tract – Logging operations have been completed. Another quick cut to complete an operation that started in the summer.
· 22-11-030 – Orr Lake Tract – Logging operations have been completed, there is still wood in the parking lot that will be removed shortly.
2023.03.15 – Logging Operation Affects Orillia Trail (2023.07.28 Update – Logging Operations Completed and trail can be used.)
Logging has started in the Simcoe County Forest Rathburn tract east of Orillia. As a result, a small section of the Orillia trail is temporarily unavailable for use. It is very important to obey, at all times, the county signs indicating areas that are off limits for hiking. The attached map shows the affected location. An update notice will be posted when we receive notification that logging has been completed and the signs removed.
2023.03.23 Update – Logging Operation Affecting Barrie Trail Completed
2023.03.23 Update – Logging has been completed so this section is now open for use. Trail maintenance to clear the trails of any debris from the logging operation is yet to be done, so be careful if hiking through this section in the near future.
2023.02.10 Original Post: There is currently an active logging operation in Simcoe County Forest that affects the Barrie trail east of Gill Road (the Orrock Creek South tract). Please avoid this section of the trail and stay out of the areas indicated by the county signage in the forest. An update to this notice will be posted when logging is completed.
2023.03.23 – Logging Operation in Simcoe County Forest Affecting Orillia Trail Completed
2023.03.23 Update – Logging has been completed so this section is now open for use. Trail maintenance to clear the trails of any debris from the logging operation is yet to be done, so be careful if hiking through this section in the near future.
2023.01.11 Original Post: Logging operations have started in Simcoe County Forest on the south side of Bass Lake Sideroad at Line 7N in Oro-Medonte. The Orillia Club Ganaraska trail goes through this area, as well as many other trails frequently used by hikers and bikers. It is best to avoid the affected area until notice is given that logging has been completed, and obey all signage indicating restricted areas if on the trails near Bass Lake Sideroad and Line 7N.
2022.11.29 – Barrie Main Trail Re-route south of Baldwick Lane near Minesing Wetlands
A section of the Barrie main trail near the Minesing Wetlands runs across property owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). We have just finished working with NCC representatives to reroute our trail on their property to avoid foot traffic on some ecologically sensitive areas and also to avoid some areas where the invasive garlic mustard has been found. If you are hiking southbound from Baldwick Lane the trail changes when you come to the first stile. Previously you would have gone right (west) across the open field but now you veer slightly left. The new trail is actually quite nice, going through cedar forest, over some small streams, and along a ridge providing great views of the open fields looking towards Minesing Wetlands. The new trail is fully blazed and ready to use. It is very important to stay on the trail through this section as garlic mustard can be found close to the trail and it is important not to spread it by carrying seeds on your boots. Both Ondago and our website downloadable maps will be updated in the near future.
2022.11.29 – New Side-trails on Barrie Section
On June 6 of this year we announced changes to the Barrie main trail between the parking lot on Gill Road and the Midhurst Community Centre. Due to a new landowner request we had to move a portion of this trail onto Gill Road. There are now two new side trails to recapture some of the best features of the trail section that had to be moved. From the Gill Road parking lot, the Bear’s Creek side trail provides a 3.6 km loop that goes over a picturesque creek and runs along an interesting (and hilly) ridge beside the creek. In the middle of the forest the Heather Dalton Memorial side trail provides a 1.3 km loop (also with hills) that has multiple tree mounted memorial displays for a local person that loved to hike the trails in the area. Ondago has been updated and our website downloadable maps will be updated soon. Try them out.
