Category: Association News

2026 Volunteer of the Year Awards

Posted on by Campbell Britton

2025 was a unique year for volunteer activity due to the ice storm. The Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. executive, therefore decided to recognize three people for their contribution to the re-opening of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail in 2025.

While there are many people to thank for our remarkable recovery from the devastation of the storm in March of 2025, we want to extend a special thank you and present our Volunteer of the Year Award to the following:

George Boyd from the Kawartha Club – George spent considerable time providing information to make our maps of the Kawartha section more accurate while also taking a leadership role with the club’s hiking calendar.

Dale Hannah of the Barrie Club – Dale also led the activity to build three new water crossings on the Barrie section between Old Second South and Gill Road.

Bob Wilson of the Orillia Club – Bob made each trail maintenance outing enjoyable, safe and productive and there were many! He even brought snacks and refreshments along each time.

The above three sections of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail were especially hit hard by the ice storm. Dale, George and Bob’s leadership, their energy and the many long hours they spent on the trail were critical in getting our trails back in great shape.

The contribution of these three individuals shows how a volunteer-based organization such as the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. can remain sustainable and keep on thriving.

Thank You!

Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc.
April 2026

Chain Saw Course – May 2 & 3, 2026

Posted on by John Sloan

The Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc (GHTA) is pleased to announce that in partnership with Hike Ontario, a 1 day chainsaw course for GHTA members is being offered on May 2 and May 3, 2026, at a Midland GHTA club member’s property near Midland, Ontario. The course is being delivered by Bernie Stockermans of Logging & Sawmill Safety, who last year provided this same course to some GHTA volunteers, when the County of Simcoe Forestry hosted the course in Midhurst. 

The course will consist of an indoor session in the morning to discuss safety, chainsaw maintenance, etc. and the afternoon session will be a field practice and observation session. Course participants will have to bring a chainsaw, as well as proper safety equipment such as chaps, helmet, ear protection, safety glasses. Chaps that tie around the leg are recommended.  Some of our clubs have bought this PPE safety equipment last fall and club members should be able to borrow it. 

The course fee will be $150 + HST. Details about how to register will follow in the next few days. 

Any Ganaraska Hiking Trail member who participates in the course, will be reimbursed 50% of the course fee immediately upon completion of the course, and the other 50% after contributing to at least one work party as a  chainsawer. 

For more information, contact president@ghta.ca or call Frieda Baldwin 705-245-1005. The Hike Ontario announcement for the course can be seen at https://hikeontario.com/chainsaw-course-may-2026/ .

Call for a new Vice President and a new Newsletter Editor

Posted on by Campbell Britton

With the April 18 Annual General Meeting of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. (GHTA) approaching fast, we are putting out a call for a new Vice President and a new Newsletter Editor.

Isaac Strang, our current Vice President, who also developed our new GHTA Hike Registration form, will be shifting his skills and time to an advisory position with respect to our website “refresh” project. Isaac has been a very valued contributor to our Executive Team, which handles the day to day operations of the GHTA. I’d like to thank him for his past and ongoing commitment to the organization.

Lana Johnson has been our Newsletter Editor for 3 years and has done an excellent job at compiling our news stories, schedules, photos and announcements into an informative document. Lana felt it was time to pass on this role to someone else but agreed to still compile the upcoming Spring/Summer Newsletter. Many thanks, Lana, for your contributions to the GHTA in the past, and all the best to you and your family.

Attached please find the job descriptions for the 2 vacancies. We’d love to hear from anyone who feels that they may have the skills, enthusiasm and time availability to contribute to the continued success and sustainability of the GHTA and would like to join our current team of Executive members and officers.

Vice President Role Description Role

Newsletter Editor Role Description

If you have any questions or are interested in either of the 2 positions, contact me at president@ghta.ca, or feel free to call me at 705-245-1005.

Thank you for your consideration
Frieda Baldwin
President, Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc.

Hiker’s Code & Trail Etiquette – A Reminder

Posted on by Campbell Britton

The Ganaraska Hiking Trail exists thanks to the generosity of landowners. We therefore consider access to private land a privilege, not a right, and trail users are expected to adhere to the Hiker’s Code. This includes not trespassing onto private property (other than on the blazed trail) and keeping dogs on a leash. The recent loss of a private property trail section on the Mad River trail near Glen Huron is an example of the consequences of abusing the privilege on having permission to hike on private property.

A reminder about the Hiker’s Code:

  • Respect private property
  • Stay on the trail
  • Cross fences using stiles
  • Carry out all garbage
  • Walk around the edge of fields
  • Protect wildlife, trees and shrubs
  • Never strip bark from trees
  • Keep dogs on a leash near farms and where required by law 
  • Dogs are not allowed on group hikes

Please familiarize yourself with the widely used blazing system used by many long distance hiking trails in North America, so you don’t stray off the Ganaraska Hiking Trail. About the Trail

Thanks
Frieda Baldwin
President, Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc.
Email: president@ghta.ca

2026.02.17 – Mad River Trail Reroute in Glen Huron Area

Posted on by John Sloan

The Mad River trail section between Concession Road 6S / Riverside Drive and Concession 8 in the area just south of Glen Huron is being rerouted onto the Nottawasaga 15/16 Sideroad (see attached diagram). When hiking along Concession Road 6S continue until reaching Nottawasaga 15/16 Sideroad, then turn west until reaching Concession Road 8S, then go south until rejoining the trail where it climbs up the cairn at the junction with the Bruce Trail.

This change will be effective February 28. Note also that this change results in moving the junction of the Mad River and Wasaga Beach trails to the intersection of Nottawasaga 15/16 Sideroad and Concession 6 (a short distance north of the current junction).

The reason for this reroute is to comply with the wishes of a private landowner along the affected section that no longer wants the trail on their property.

Options for getting the trail off the roads again will be explored in the future.

2025.12.03 – Simcoe County Interactive Map Updated to Show Current Ganaraska Hiking Trail

Posted on by John Sloan

For those of you that use the Simcoe County Interactive Map (https://opengis.simcoe.ca/public/ ) we are happy to announce that the map has been updated to reflect the current Ganaraska Hiking Trail, including all side trails. Our thanks to Victor Tolgyessy for working with the Simcoe County GIS team to get this done.

2025.07.07 – Message About Trail Conditions

Posted on by John Sloan

To all Ganaraska Hiking Trail users – our trail inspection and maintenance activity for many sections of the overall trail is still focused on recovery from the ice storm earlier this year. This means hikers may find parts of trail where normal trail maintenance activities such as weed control or trimming or minor debris clearing are not yet done. We ask for your patience for getting the entire trail back to our normal standards, and also ask you to be extra careful on the trail – especially be sure to check for ticks if you find yourself hiking through tall grass. 

2025.05.29 – Simcoe County Forest Salvage Operations Affecting Ganaraska Hiking Trail

Posted on by John Sloan

The extensive damage to many of the Simcoe County Forest tracts means that the Simcoe County Forestry team is proceeding as quickly as they can with logging operations to salvage downed trees and harvest what they can while they are in the forest. Today we received the following message from SCF.

“Just wanted to send a note regarding the ongoing salvage operations within the County Forest. Our storm impact map has been updated to reflect tracts that are currently, or soon to be, conducting salvage operations.

As a reminder these tracts are not safe in current state even if some trails have been cleared, our forest access roads remain inaccessible for EMS if they were ever needed.

Up to date mapping can be found here: Impacted County Forest Tracts

As usual once an operation starts we will post “No Entry” signs at the entrances and send communications as well as update our public mapping to show “Active Operations”.

The map accessed through the link above shows all forest tracts that are affected. The listed tracts that affect the Ganaraska hiking trail specifically are as follows:
Arbour Tract – Orillia Club trail (Trail Guide Map #21)
Oro Tract – Orillia Club trail (Trail Guide Map #21
Strachan Tract – Orillia Club trail (Trail Guide Map #20)
Rathburn Tract – Orillia Club trail (Trail Guide Map #17)
North Barr – Barrie Club trail (Trail Guide Map #21)

2025.05.29 – Mad River Club Ice Storm Status Update

Posted on by John Sloan

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 Volunteer of the Year – Bill Zeran

Posted on by Campbell Britton

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.

Pine Ridge Club representatives Cynthia Warn and Stan Muldoon receiving Bill’s plaque in his absence. 

Congratulations and thank you Bill! We couldn’t have done it without you.