Were you part of the group of hikers who slogged through water, mud and snow on the end to end with Peter Tomlin and Don Priestman in 1995 through to the fall of 1996? It does not seem like it was 20 years ago that these hikes started until you look at the photos! Do you recognize any of those in these photos? Vlado Bosnar, Gerry Dowd, Tony Edmonds, Ross and Vi Yorth, Shep, Regine Joxen and others???? The group that started in spring of1995 and the group on that final hike in October 1996.
Peter would like to plan a reunion in the fall 2016 for this group of fearless hikers who braved the Minising swamp, the Montgomery Creek rapids, mosquitoes and black flies and the long stretches of road walking and longer car shuffles. An afternoon to get together with those who walked this trail together , catch up on what you have been doing for 20 years, renew friendships NO weare not going to plan a reunion hike of the wilderness section.
. Please send us a note or call if you would be interested and we will start planning. IT would be fun to see those who walked it all or parts of it. As Maureen Smith remembers the Wilderness section hike Labour Day weekend 1996 “The Hike from Hell” Who could forget that backpacking adventure!
Contact Lynn or Peter 905-791-9156
lynnm@rogers.com or petertomlin@rogers.com
News
Mad River Ganaraska Section
Frieda Baldwin
Bill 100 and Landowners
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association wishes to clarify that the proposed Ontario Trails Act (Bill 100) has no impact on the existing handshake or written agreements the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association has with the landowners, who so graciously allow the Ganaraska Hiking Trail to pass on their private land.
Reading Bill 100 will correct any misinformation regarding access to private land, as will this recent note from Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport:
The province introduced Bill 100, the Supporting Ontario’s Trails Act, 2015, to improve access to Ontario’s trails, building both a healthier, and more prosperous Ontario. Our ministry held consultations with over 250 organizations, including municipalities, Aboriginal groups, trail organizations and not-for-profit organizations. The feedback the ministry heard during these consultations was integral to shaping the proposed legislation.
To be clear, an easement pursuant to Bill 100, if passed, would be a voluntary agreement between a landowner and an eligible body or bodies. No property owner would be compelled to provide an easement unless they agreed to do so.
– Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Many of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail’s “handshake” or written land use agreements have been in place for close to 50 years, and the landowner has the right to allow or withdraw access at any time. While easements are a more permanent arrangement whereby landowners are compensated for a permanent right to cross their land, the establishment of an easement is totally at the discretion of the landowner.
Landowners can be assured that Bill 100 (Bill 100.pdf) has no bearing on our current land use agreements with landowners, and contrary to what was suggested by the Ontario Landowner’s Association, in recent media coverage, the issue of easements is 100% in the hands of the landowner, per section 12.3 which reads that:
“An owner of land may grant an easement, with or without covenants, to one or more eligible bodies,
(a) for the preservation, enhancement or management of the use of, or access to, all or a portion of the land for purposes relating to trails or to activities relating to trails;
(b) for the creation, maintenance or management of trails for public use; or
(c) for the purposes as may be prescribed by the regulations made under this Act.”
In addition, the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association has no intention whatsoever to approach landowners to turn its existing land use agreements into easement agreements.
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association thanks its landowners for their understanding.
For additional information, please contact:
President Hike Ontario Representative
Bob Bowles Frieda Baldwin
705-325-3149 705-245-1005
Barrie Club AGM Report

2015 has been another successful year for the Barrie Ganaraska Hiking Trail Club. We have been following a full schedule of 26 Sunday Hikes, 13 Thursday hikes, 4 Cycle Rides and 2 Trips to Niagara Falls this Spring and Fall.
The Pot Luck was well attended from the Midland and Orillia sections. Although, the Barrie Section takes the lead on the Thursday Hikes we have very good representation from the Orillia Section.
Logging continues in the Barrie and Orillia sections and hikers should be aware that some sections of trail may not be cleared.
Springwater Park continues to welcome Ganaraska Hikers despite a confusing sign at our traditional entry point. The matter has been clarified and we will be posting a small Ganaraska Club sign on the same post as the Springwater Park sign at that point.
The Year In Pictures
Click on any thumbnail photo to start slideshow.
New Trailhead Plaque
Unveiling of new plaque at the Ganaraska Trailhead in Port Hope on October 1, 2015. Attended by Jack Goering and Patricia Lawson (founding members of the association), President Bob Bowles of the GHTA and President of the Pine Ridge Hiking Club, Rita Zeran as well as several members of the Pine Ridge Hiking Club.
Tiny Marsh Hike
Thanks to Lois, Shirl, and Irene for leading our two hikes to Tiny Marsh. We had a dramatic encounter with nature in the form of a thunder storm.
WASAGA HIKING CLUB 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Wasaga Beach Club Trip to Stayner Collegiate Greenhouse
May 27, 2015 Cycle Ride in Oro-Medonte
Many thanks to Brian Vink for organizing our cycle rides in Midland and Oro-Medonte this month. Click on any thumbnail photo to start slideshow.
20 May Copland Forest Hike
Thanks to Irene and Shirl for leading this hike
and to Roy for being our sweep.