On 2024.12.07 the Barrie Club trail through Springwater Provincial Park was closed due to “Significant Conifer Plantation Management” activity in the park. This work in the park has been completed, and they have cleared the trails after the recent ice storm, so this section of the Barrie Club trail is now open. Enjoy!
Category: Club News
2025.06.04 – Ice Storm Damage Update for GHTA Orillia Club Trail
The GHTA Orillia Club trail had significant and extensive damage from the recent ice storm. Even with the hard work of many volunteers since the ice storm there is still a lot to do before the entire trail can be considered open and ready to use The trail is closed between Line 8N and 12N in Oro-Medonte with more trail clearing to be done and hazardous conditions to be addressed. SCF Strachan and Oro tracts are closed for logging salvage operations affecting the trail west of Line 8N. The state of the trail east of Orillia in SCF Rathburn tract is unknown and may not be inspected until next winter due to wet conditions in this trail section. Please avoid using the GHTA Orillia Club trail until the trails are cleared and announced as ready to use (reference Trail Guide maps #16 to #21).
2025.05.29 – Wasaga Beach Club Trail Ice Storm Status Update
Wasaga Beach Club leadership has informed that ice storm damage on the Wasaga Beach Club trail was minimal and the trails remain open.
A caution reminder – All trail users should remember that even though the trails themselves are clear there may still be risks in forested areas due to overhead broken branches or leaning or weakened trees due to the ice storm. Hike with caution and watch for overhead and nearby hazards, especially if there is a strong wind or wind gusts. All trail users must accept personal responsibility for their own safety.
2025.05.29 – Mad River Club Ice Storm Status Update
The Mad River Club leadership has declared that clean-up from the ice storm is complete and the trail is considered to be open (Trail Guide Maps #24, #25 & #26). Note that there is 11 km of trail running east from Angus that remains closed for reasons other than the ice storm (rail trail conversion work by the county). Be aware that sections of the Mad River trail go through wet sections.
A caution reminder – All trail users should remember that even though the trails themselves are clear there may still be risks in forested areas due to overhead broken branches or leaning or weakened trees due to the ice storm. Hike with caution and watch for overhead and nearby hazards, especially if there is a strong wind or wind gusts. All trail users must accept personal responsibility for their own safety.
2025.05.24 – Oro-Medonte Trail Ice Storm Status Update
The Ganaraska Oro-Medonte Club has advised that their trail is now open end-to-end (Maps #21 and #33 of the Trail Guide map series). Our thanks to the hard work of all the volunteers that helped to clear the trails.
A caution reminder – All trail users should remember that even though the trails themselves are clear there may still be risks in forested areas due to overhead broken branches or leaning or weakened trees due to the ice storm. Hike with caution and watch for overhead and nearby hazards, especially if there is a strong wind or wind gusts. All trail users must accept personal responsibility for their own safety.
2025.05.24 – Kawartha Club Trail Status Update
The Ganaraska Kawartha Club leadership team has advised that their trail is open from the south end (KM 0.0 marker on Map #5 of the Trail Guide map series / Crosswind Road) to KM 54.6 where the trail leaves the Victoria Rail Trail (Trail Guide Map #11). Conditions on the trail going north from this point to Monck Road (the north end of the Kawartha Club trail section) will be verified in the near future.
A caution reminder – All trail users should remember that even though the trails themselves are clear there may still be risks in forested areas due to overhead broken branches or leaning or weakened trees due to the ice storm. Hike with caution and watch for overhead and nearby hazards, especially if there is a strong wind or wind gusts. All trail users must accept personal responsibility for their own safety.
2025.05.15 – SCF Logging Operations Affects the Barrie trail in North Barr Tract
2025.05.29 Update – Notification has been received that logging operations in North Barr have been completed but it may be a few days before the No Entry signs are removed to allow complete removal of the harvested logs and to give the County some time to clear up the trails. Please continue to comply with the direction on all posted signage.
We have received notification from Simcoe County Forestry that logging operations will start immediately in SCF North Barr Tract. The Barrie Ganaraska trail runs along the north edge of this tract along Horseshoe Valley Road and remains available, but there are many hiking trails inside the tract that will be unavailable while logging operations are active. Please comply with all signage about area closure and logging operations. An update will be provided when notice is received that logging operations are complete.
2025 Volunteer of the Year – Bill Zeran
Over the years Bill Zeran has held various leadership positions within the GHTA and the Pine Ridge Hiking Club including:
- Member of the GHTA Executive (2014-2018) as Recording Secretary and later on as Secretary-Treasurer
- Member of the GHTA Risk Assessment Committee;
- President of the Pine Ridge Club (2018-2012);
- Hike Leader at Pine Ridge since 2014; and
- Member of the Pine Ridge Maintenance Committee (2017-the present).
Through all of these commitments Bill has demonstrated a positive and friendly demeanour which endears him to those around him. Bill’s smile and sense of humour are contagious. The Vice-President at Pine Ridge during Bill’s time as President stated how much he valued Bill’s mentorship. With the ongoing support of his spouse Rita, Bill is also involved with a number of other volunteer programs especially within their local church community. Bill’s family roots are steeped in service to others.
Congratulations and thank you Bill! We couldn’t have done it without you.
2025 Volunteer of the Year – Simone Latham
We are highly appreciative of the contributions Simone Latham has made to the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. as our Treasurer since 2018, a valued member of our GHTA Executive, as a Certified Hike Leader for the Midland club, and as a great friend.
Simone joined the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. in 2011, and in 2012 soon after encouraged a team of 4 GHTA members to walk the 100 km Oxfam event in 48 hours. It was a very hot weekend, but we all made it in 42 hours, and only lost several toe nails in the process. However, she really enjoyed hiking and became a great hike leader.
As a member of the GHTA Executive, her skills and past experience with other not for profit and charitable boards, as well as with procedures and policies, helped us streamline & automate our GHTA processing for payments, bookkeeping, expense reimbursements, etransfers and many other administrative changes. We also thank her for the amount of time she gave us to find a suitable replacement, and get our processes documented and streamlined to pass on to our new Treasurer.
We wish her all the best in her retirement as treasurer from the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc, and will miss her as a great team player and friend.
2024.09.01 Update – SCF Logging Affecting Barrie Trail Complete / Trail Open For Use
Original Posting Dated 2024.08.04 – SCF Logging Affects Barrie Trail.
Logging in SCF Smith Tract has resulted in the temporary closure of the Barrie Club Bear’s Creek Sidetrail, located just north of Midhurst where Gill Road crosses the railway tracks (KM 24.9 on the Barrie trail). The main Barrie trail is unaffected and remains open. Please obey all posted signs in the area and avoid hiking this side trail until further notice.
