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.
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.
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.
As per our announcement of April 3, 2025, following the ice storm of March 29/30, the entire 500 km long Ganaraska Hiking Trail was officially closed. Meanwhile, our club volunteers have been busy assessing and restoring their sections of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail and as a result of their hard work, we hope to be able to “open” up some sections very soon. Stay tuned for further announcements, hopefully by this coming weekend.
Our volunteers have already cleared a lot of the fallen debris, put caution tape around some dangerous hazards and/or created a small reroute, all this in an effort to make the trail “passable”. Trail Closed signs are being installed on those sections of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail, which are still considered impassable, or where we have not been able to even start or complete any restoration. In the most affected areas, such as many of the Simcoe County Forests in Oro Medonte, salvage efforts are scheduled by the landowner. These logging operations may last well into the summer, but will open up the forest access roads, and make it easier for our volunteers to access the trail for restoration efforts.
As we cannot enforce physical closure of trail access, we ask that persons traversing the trail be guided by the following principles:
As is always the case, even under normal circumstances, HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK. It remains the individual’s own responsibility to decide what their own risk tolerance is.
There are still a lot of overhead hazards such as tree branches hanging above the trail, or leaning trees near the trail, which we plan to deal with in due time. Several of our volunteers have taken chainsaw training to help tackle the situation.
Consider the wind. Higher wind speeds and gusts can dislodge the overhead hazards or topple leaning trees.
Leave a hike plan with someone (i.e. where you plan to hike, when expected back, etc.)
Hike with a buddy
Enjoy the hiking season, but stay safe out there!
Frieda Baldwin
President, Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc.
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.
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 Warnand Stan Muldoon receiving Bill’s plaque in his absence.
Congratulations and thank you Bill! We couldn’t have done it without you.
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.
Simone Latham receiving 2025 Volunteer of the Year
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.
On Saturday April 26, 2025 Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association will be offering a Safe Hiker course for members and non-members. The course is built on the Hike Ontario Safe Hiker course, but will include other topics such as information about safe hiking after the ice storm, protecting from ticks, carpool etiquette, planning for a hike, navigation tools, What3Words, what if you get lost/injured, weather, etc.
Following the course, there will be a 1 to 1.5 hour hike on the beautiful Tiffin CA property. Both the course and parking are free on April 26.
Address: Tiffin Centre, 8195 8th Line of Essa, Utopia, Ontario on Saturday April 26 at 12:30. Park in the large parking lot by the green Administration building and proceed past that building via the covered boardwalk to the Learning Centre.
To sign up for the free course, enter your name and email on the following link. Your email will only be visible to the instructors and will be used in case of a change or cancellation. Safe Hiker Course Registration
Trail alert: While evidence of an ice storm presents some great photo opportunities, the damage of the ice storm on the Ganaraska Hiking Trail and the local communities is extreme and will require time to get back to some kind of normalcy. Meanwhile, consider the Ganaraska Hiking Trail closed until further notice, as we need time to assess the damage and put a clean up plan in place. Many of the local parks and trails are also closed. Also, the OPP has asked that travel by non-residents postpone their trip to the area between Orillia, Oro Medonte, Ramaras, Muskoka, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Peterborough, etc. until further notice as local communities are experiencing shortages of fuel, food, etc.. Meanwhile, hikers, please refer to these safety precautions.
Important Safety Notice for Hikers After Recent Ice Storm
Following the recent ice storm, we want to ensure that all members stay safe while enjoying the outdoors. Many trails in our area have been affected by fallen trees, unstable branches, and icy, flooded or muddy conditions. As a result, we strongly urge all members to follow these safety guidelines:
Current Trail Conditions
Most sections of the 500 km long Ganaraska Hiking Trail between Wasaga Beach and Port Hope have been very badly affected by the ice storm, which has resulted in hazardous conditions especially in parks and forests. Many trails are blocked by debris or have unstable footing due to ice and storm damage.
Volunteers from our local Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association clubs will be assessing the damage, as soon as it is safe and reasonable to do so. Meanwhile, “Trails Closed” signs may be installed where practical and recommended. Once the damage has been assessed a clean up plan will be prepared and restoration efforts will commence. We expect this work to be ongoing for a while and will provide updates as our clubs report their progress.
Hiking Safety Guidelines
• All previously scheduled hikes listed in our newsletter schedule and/or the on-line calendar are cancelled, unless re-confirmed by the local club and hike leader.
• Avoid hiking in forested areas, and do not trespass on closed trails.
• Stick to open and cleared trails; avoid areas that have not been assessed.
• Avoid hiking alone and always inform someone of your route.
• Wear appropriate footwear (crampons or micro spikes recommended for icy areas).
• Watch for fallen trees and hanging branches that may still pose a danger.
• Carry a first aid kit and emergency supplies, including a flashlight and whistle.
• Use caution near slopes and water crossings, as ground conditions may be unstable.
Club Trail Cleanup Efforts
We will be organizing volunteer cleanup events to help clear trails safely. If you’d like to participate, please contact the local Ganaraska Hiking Trail club for instructions.
Wear sturdy boots and work gloves, and bring tools (hand saws, loppers) if available.
Do not bring chainsaws and other mechanized tools, unless cleared with the local club trail director. If approved, wear protective gear and use the equipment as per the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines.
More details will be shared soon.
Stay Updated
We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates on trail conditions through email, our website and social media. Please check with your local parks and conservation authorities before heading out to hike on their trails.
Thank you for prioritizing safety and for your patience as we work to restore our hiking trail. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Stay safe and happy hiking,
Frieda Baldwin
President, Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc.
As per Simcoe County’s recommendations, “Residents are being advised to avoid entering County Forests until further notice.” Thank you for your patience.
