Category: News

2023.04.28 – Notice of Non-Maintained Section on GHTA Mad River Trail

Posted on by John Sloan

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.

Fallen Trees in Ganaraska Forest

Posted on by Heather Briant

In the Pine Ridge section of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail, between km 31 and km 39 in the Ganaraska Forest, there still are a number of fallen trees due to storm damage. Ganaraska Regional Forest staff will be clearing this area in the near future. Until that happens, Ganaraska Hiking Trail volunteers are not allowed to do regular trail maintenance and refresh the blazes, which may cause some confusion with navigating the Ganaraska Hiking Trail in that part of the Ganaraska Forest.

2023.04.21 – Logging has resumed in Simcoe County Forest Strachan Tract.

Posted on by John Sloan

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).

Posted on by John Sloan

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.

Ganaraska Forest (Central)

Posted on by Heather Briant

The section of the GHTA trail from km 31.1 to 39.7 will not be open to hikers until April 1st. Until then hikers must use the bypass trail west along the 10th line of Hope Township from km 31.1 to the Cold Springs Camp Road and then north on the Cold Springs Camp Road to the point where it joins the GHTA trial at km 39.7.  The bypass is marked with blue blazes.  Only hikers on a GHTA club-sanctioned hike or GF members are permitted to use the GF trails without paying a day-use fee.  The only place to purchase a day pass is at the GF Centre.  It is planned to have day-use permits available online by April 1st.  

2023.03.15 – Logging Operation Affects Orillia Trail (2023.07.28 Update – Logging Operations Completed and trail can be used.)

Posted on by John Sloan

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.

Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association at Toronto Outdoor Show

Posted on by Heather Briant
Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association volunteers were at the Toronto Outdoor Show this Sunday Feb 26, in a booth shared with Tourism Simcoe County, to promote our hiking trail. They handed out pamphlets and newsletters and talked to lots of people, some who had never heard of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail. Some visitors took a picture of the QR code on display, which took them to GHTA membership page. Thank you to our amazing volunteers: Glynn Richardson, Jacqueline Van Dyke and Dan Myall. Don’t they look cool in their Ganaraska Hiking Trail T-Shirts?

2023.03.23 Update – Logging Operation Affecting Barrie Trail Completed

Posted on by John Sloan

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.