For those that hike in the Midhurst area please note that access to the Ganaraska hiking trail at the Belmont\Doran Rd. intersection is temporarily closed due to severe washout. A map to an alternate route (Belmont Rd to Finlay Mill Rd. to Willow Creek) along the Hunter Russell Nature trail to meet up with the GHT is posted at the closure site. From the Midhurst Community Centre one can also walk along Finlay Mill Rd. to Willow Creek where the detour begins.
Author: John Sloan
JULY 13, 2024 – MAKE UP DATE FOR THE “I CLOSED THE GAP” HIKE ON THE MIDLAND AND TINY EXTENSIONS OF THE GANARASKA HIKING TRAIL
Lace up those hiking boots and join us for the historic “I closed the Gap” Hike along the beautiful Ganaraska Hiking Trail through Midland, Penetanguishene and Tiny. This project has been over 10 years in the making. Get ready to explore the beautiful Georgian Bay shoreline and various forest trails, breathe in the fresh air, and challenge yourself on this scenic trail.
On Saturday July 13, 2024, the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. is organizing a make up hike for those who wish to hike “the Gap” but were not available on the originally scheduled dates of April 13 and May 11, 2024. This will be a much scaled down event from the earlier dates (no ribbon cutting, checkpoints, etc.)
On Sunday July 14, we are also offering a shuttle for anyone who is interested in hiking the other part of the Midland section of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail to get their End to End badge.
GAP HIKE
On Saturday July 13, 2024 hikers are to arrive and park at Sainte Marie Among the Hurons before being shuttled to the start location of the hike on Tiny Conc. 12 and walk back to the Wye River (approx. 18 kms). The hike will take between approximately 4 and 5 hours to complete.
Due to the distance, undulating terrain and some walking on concrete/asphalt, this is described as a moderate hike; however, you will walk at your own pace, by following the white navigational blazes. (see below)
All participants have to register on Team Up https://teamup.com/event/show/id/Pm5dNMgFQPEjwo7WFwCvujtF6UzmrQ.
Just enter your name and email address. Your email address will only be visible to the organizers (not to other participants). Please contact president@ghta.ca if you need to cancel after you have registered.
On July 13, at registration, you’ll be required to provide your cellphone number, emergency contact name and phone.
By registering, all hikers confirm that they have read and acknowledge the Waiver and Assumption of Risks of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc, which reads as follows:
I acknowledge that the activity in which I am participating involves risks. In consideration of being permitted to participate, I hereby assume any and all such risks and hereby release and discharge the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc, its officers, directors and volunteers, the owner of such lands I may cross or find myself upon and my fellow hikers, their successors and assigns from any and all claims for loss or damage directly or indirectly arising as a result of my participation in this activity. I confirm that I am aware of the nature of the activity, the duration and the degree of difficulty and that I am properly equipped and physically able to participate. I have no medical conditions that might preclude my participation. Each adult accepts full responsibility for all persons under 18 that may be in their care.
Participation is free.
AGENDA
8:45 AM: Hike registration of “I close the Gap” hike starts.
Meet at: Sainte Marie Among the Hurons parking
16164 ON-12, Midland
What 3 words: ///eardrum.negligible.reports
9:00 AM Shuttle loading starts and participants be taken to Tiny Conc. 12, from where hikers will hike back to their cars at the Wye River. Duration of the ride: 15 min.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION
The hike starts off on the Tiny Trail, a railtrail between Elmvale and Penetanguishene. The trail traverses the scenic valley of the Copeland Creek and crosses the creek several times.
After about 2 kms look for the turn blaze and take the newly built stairs up to the edge of the cliff and follow the white blazes in the forest. Do not trespass onto adjacent private property.
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail ascends up the hill through part of the Thompson Forest owned by Simcoe County Forests.
At Overhead Bridge Road, cross carefully to the east side of the road and follow the path to the parking lot opposite Kingfischer Road. At this point you have done 3.3 kms on the Tiny section of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail. This location is the new junction between the Tiny and Midland sections of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail.
At the parking lot in the bend of Overhead Bridge Road, turn left (east) into the beautiful Thompson Forest by following the white blazes, until you exit the forest at Thompson Road West, which takes you to County Road 93.
There will likely still be a small detour here, that is not blazed. You will be turning east (right) onto Revol Road which is still under construction, to Beausoleil Road. Turn right again on Beausoleil and left on Thompson Road west.
Cross CR93 at the lights and immediately turn right (south) on Murray Road, which after 1 km of ups and downs continues on the steep descent of the 2km long paved Mid Pen Link, which connects Midland with Penetanguishene. The Mid Pen Link exits at Harbourview Drive. Walk on the right (west) side of Harbourview Drive, and cross that road just past the apartment building.
A small path between the apartment building and a wetland brings hikers to Pete Pettersen Park, with its beautiful view of Georgian Bay, the marinas, playground, baseball field, and washroom. Great spot for a picnic by the beach.
Continue the hike on the Midland Rotary Waterfront Trail, which takes you through downtown Midland and its harbour. Washrooms at the harbour office. Nearby are restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
Stay on the paved trail until you pass the playground and look for blazes leading you to a dirt path, which stays below the hillside.
At Midland Bay Landing with its benches, washroom, and boardwalk, continue on the multi-use recreational trail on the south side of the blue houses. Follow this waterfront trail, enjoy the views.
Continue until you pass a water retention pond. Take the path that goes into the wooded area, and along the Wye River where you will see the Martyrs’ Shrine. Continue along this path to Sainte Marie Park and via a series of bridges to your car at Sainte Marie Among the Hurons.
Please check out with our volunteers and receive your “I hiked the Gap”.
DURATION OF THE HIKE
Everyone walks at their own pace, so we expect that it may take 4-5 hours, depending on your pace.
FEE – free
COMPLETION OF THE HIKE
Please make sure to checkout with our volunteers at the end of the hike, so we know you are safely off the trail.
All hikers will be provided with a free commemorative “I hiked the Gap” button upon check in, as well as a “I hiked the Gap badge upon completion of the hike.
Please sign up for the Gap hike by July 6, if you wish a free badge. (We need some time to make sure we have enough badges).
Anyone interested in hiking the “gap” at a later date, can do so at their own convenience. Note that the badges are on sale for $7 and can be ordered on the Ganaraska Hiking Trail’s Merchandise Form. https://ganaraska-hiking-trail.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GHTA-Merchandise-Order-Formrev030324-for-website.pdf
WHAT SHOULD I BRING
- Hiking shoes or boots with good support
- The following are recommended but not essential: hiking poles or walking sticks for the hills and uneven terrain but note that some of the trail will be hard surface (asphalt, concrete) so also bring the rubber booties for the poles. You may also want to bring extra socks & shoes; braces if you have knee issues.
- Water bottle. Some hikers simply require more hydration, and warm temperatures can increase everyone’s needs. Water bottles can be re-filled at the Pete Pettersen or harbour washrooms.
- A cell phone for safety reasons and so we can reach you, if needed.
- A sun or rain hat, sun screen, bug repellent, after-bite, band-aids suitable for blisters, lunch, a small first aid kit with any particular items you may require, e.g. an asthma puffer or epi pen. Don’t forget your preferred analgesic.
- We suggest you put your name on your gear (hats, keys, poles, etc.) in case they are lost.
CAN I BRING KIDS?
Sure! Hikers under 18 years of age are absolutely welcome, but they must be accompanied on the hike by an adult. Note however that the hike is considered moderate in difficulty, and definitely not easy.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
No, unless it is a service dog, in which case you need to contact president@ghta.ca so special transportation arrangements to the start of the hike can be made.
IS THE TRAIL WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Most of the trail would be accessible, and is hard surface, however, there is also a section that includes stairs, as well as uneven ground (roots, rocks) and the forest paths can be muddy and have loose sand.
WASHROOMS
At Tiny conc. 12 (start of the hike), Pete Pettersen Park, Midland Town Dock and Midland Bay Landing.
FIRST AID
For minor first aid, please call 705-937-1005. For more serious cases, call 911.
WHERE CAN I GET A MAP OF THE TRAIL?
You can download maps 31 & 32 from the Ganaraska Hiking Trail website. Maps are available for free. You may also want to download the Trail Description for the newly extended Tiny and Midland sections of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail.
You can also download the free Ondago trail map for your mobile device, which will show distances, parking areas, what there is to see along the trail, and more importantly show your location with respect to the actual trail (should you have come off the trail). We should have the Ondago app ready for July 13.
HOW WILL I KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE TRAIL?
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail uses the same navigational trail blazes as many of the other long distance hiking trails, such as the Bruce Trail. Here is an explanation.
We also recommend that you download the What 3 Words app to your phone which will pinpoint your exact location in case of an emergency or you get lost. Emergency rescue services such as the OPP etc. encourage the use of What 3 Words in emergency situations.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE HIKE?
Please enter your name and email on
https://teamup.com/event/show/id/Pm5dNMgFQPEjwo7WFwCvujtF6UzmrQ
(Only organizers will see your email address. It will not be visible to other participants)
Please let us know if for some reason you cannot attend.
NEED ACCOMMODATIONS?
While there are lots of hotels and B&B’s in Midland & area, hikers may want to take advantage of the special Ganaraska Hiking Trail rate at the King’s Inn, managed by one of Midland club’s members Jaz Patel. http://kingsinn.ca/Midland/Gallery.aspx
WHAT IF I WANT TO ALSO HIKE THE ORIGINAL 13.5 KM OF THE MIDLAND SECTION TO GET MY MIDLAND END TO END SECTION BADGE?
On Sunday July 14, 2024 volunteers of the Midland club of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail are willing to be Trail Angels and offer free car shuttles to the start of the Midland section at Vasey Road and Reeves Road, i.e. to km 0. From there you can walk back at your own pace to your car. This hike is all off road, mostly through forests and pasture lands, and the terrain is undulating, and the ground can be uneven. The trail also follows two old railway lines. One is unpaved and owned by the local snowmobile club. Once you cross hwy 12 you will be on the paved Tay Shore Trail, owned by Tay Township, but the Ganaraska Hiking Trail veers off onto an adjacent dirt path a few times. The first 13.5 km of the Midland section ends at the Wye River. Some parts of this trail can be wet or muddy, especially after significant rainfall. No hike leaders will be provided on July 14, but volunteers will sweep the trail to make sure everyone got back to their cars safely.
Map 32 shows the km 0 – 13.5 Midland section of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail. See https://ganaraska-hiking-trail.org/?page_id=26 to download the map and Trail Description. Also download the Ondago app of the Midland section.
By adding this additional hike on the Sunday, in combination with the “gap” hike, you will qualify for your Midland section End to End (E2E) badge. Badges can be ordered for $7 using the Merchandise Form mentioned above.
Bring lunch, hiking poles, water, etc. Meet at 10 AM at Sainte Marie Among the Hurons, 16164 ON-12 in Midland. What 3 words: ///eardrum.negligible.reports.
Please register at: https://teamup.com/event/show/id/ewgBAn56APDbqzsFeP4RUK3ewKLAU3
if you wish to take advantage of this “Trail Angel” offer. Please notify president@ghta.ca or 705-245-1005 if for some reason you cannot participate after registering. Thanks.
PS Contact president@ghta.ca if you also wish to hike the Tiny End to End of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail while in town on your own. Perhaps we can help with a car shuttle.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CONTACT THE ORGANIZERS?
Please call:
- Prior to the event: Frieda Baldwin 705-245-1005 (res)
- or 705-937-1005 (cell on the day of the hike)
OTHER QUESTIONS?
Email your questions to president@ghta.ca
Temporary closure of section of Oro-Medonte trail in Copeland Forest.
A portion of the Oro-Medonte trail in Copeland Forest will be temporarily closed due to spring seasonal wet conditions. The trail section is just north of the Oro-Medonte and Barrie trail junction near sign post 5 and continues north to sign post 4 – approximately 1 km in length. There is an alternate trail that can be used to the east of the Oro-Medonte trail (see attached map).
Signs will be installed at the end points of the closed section (sample attached). Please do not try to use the closed section – walking around the wet sections on the trail can cause damage to environmentally sensitive areas in the forest. We are lucky to have access to the Copeland Forest trail system so let’s do our part to make our trail system sustainable.
There will be a follow-on notice when the trail is re-opened.
Mad River Trail Section Affected by Vandalism
Hikers of the Mad River section of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail should take note that Ganaraska Trail blazes have been vandalized and hikers will need to refer to the Ondago App for trail location. The small section of trail impacted is located south of the Village of Glen Huron and runs east from Concession 8 Nottawasaga Road (formerly County 62 Road) alongside a corn field and an apple orchard up to the forest edge.
2023.10.29 – Midland Trail Alert
Hikers of the Midland section of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail should take note of the fact that at approx. km 11, there is a safety underpass that the trail goes under while bridge construction on Old Fort Road is taking place above. As hikers descend down to the orange fence, note that the fence has been cut to allow passage for hikers. See pictures.
Also, at approx. km 2.5 the Midland club is undertaking a reroute to by-pass a very wet area, probably caused by a beaver. A new pedestrian bridge has been installed, as well as stepping blocks but the new route has not been blazed as yet, until we know for sure that the route marked with pink ribbon will be confirmed as the new route. A group of Orillia, Medonte and Midland club members were the first to test the new bridge.
2023.10.26 – Trail Blocked on Heather Dalton Memorial Side Trail Loop (Barrie Section)
Earlier this summer high winds in the Midhurst area brought down a lot of trees in Simcoe County Forest Midhurst Tract. Of those that affected the Barrie Ganaraska hiking trail through this area, almost all have been cleared or removed from the trail. There remains, however, a spot on the Heather Dalton side trail that is completely blocked. It is possible, but not particularly easy, to go around the blockage through the forest. This situation will not be resolved in the foreseeable future so this notice is to make trail users aware of the situation.
2023.10.12 – Work Begins to Develop Rail Trail Between Stayner and Angus (Mad River Club Trail)
A recent local news report announced that work has begun to remove railway ties and rails on the abandoned railway line between Stayner and Angus as a first step in the conversion of this corridor to a recreational rail trail. The work to remove the ties and rails is expected to be complete mid-December this year, but the total conversion project will last until late 2025.
Starting immediately, sections of the Mad River Club trail that follow the rail line will be inaccessible where work crews are active. Signs will be posted preventing access to work zones and in some situations there will be a ‘watch person’ to prevent access.
As the work will be intermittent and section-by-section this stretch of the Ganaraska trail will not be closed but all hikers are advised to follow the instructions of all posted signs and avoid areas where work crews are active. Also, hiking this section of the Mad River Club trail is not required to earn a Ganaraska End-to-End badge for the foreseeable future.
2023.10.07 – Logging Operation in Simcoe County Forest in Orrock Creek North Tract
Logging operations have started in Simcoe County Forest in the Orrock Creek North Tract. This is between Old Second South and Gill Road. Our trail runs through this tract, but does not run through the area being logged – so hiking can continue. However, anyone hiking in the area on trails other than the Ganaraska trail needs to watch for, and comply with, all warning signs that are posted about the logging operation.
Logging Operation Affecting Orillia Trail Completed.
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.
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