Please visit the Events 2012 page for more news about upcoming events. Items in green have clickable links to PDF documents for more details.

The details of the May 6th Educational Day are now available!

Sign up now for the GFHC 2012 season! See you on the trails soon…

Download the 2012 GFHC application pdf.

The following notices are from the Ganaraska Forest Recreational Users Committee Report
If anyone wishes more details or has some input please contact
Anne Vavra, member GFRUC for Municipality of Port Hope – (905) 797-1115 – avavra@xplornet.ca

Update on enforcement
On September 10, 2011 a paid duty patrol took place in the West Forest. The patrol was completed by a Durham Regional Police officer accompanied by a GRCA staff person. A second paid duty patrol was conducted on October 16, 2011. The patrol involved two O.P.P. officers on ATVs
Staff have also received notice that the O.P.P.’s SAVE team was in the forest on October 22nd.

Spruce Valley trail project
The Ontario Federation of Trail Riders has been working on the trail. Culverts, big O, fill and railings have been erected to enable the trail usable once again. It is due to be completed by mid November.

New Ganaraska Forest Centre website
The new website will announce current events and has updates on the issues at large. The website can be viewed at www.ganaraskaforestcentre.ca.

Update on Treetop Trekking
Tree Top Trekking is almost complete. The company is awaiting provincial certification and once that is complete, they are planning a grand opening in the spring of 2012.

GFC Road Work
Road and trail improvements continue on behalf of the GRCA and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs throughout the forest this fall.

GFC Snowshoe Trail
A new 2.5km snowshoe trail in central forest will be open this year. This trail replaces the old one. People may snowshoe for a $6 day pass or $30 winter season pass. You can rent snowshoes at the forest center.

Horseback Riding/Mountain Bike Concerns
Staff has recently been made aware of two incidents involving horseback riders and mountain bikers, one of which resulted in injury to a horseback rider.

The issue of mountain bike riders spooking horses has always been a concern. For this reason a separate point has been listed on the GRCA’s Rules of Trail Etiquette which states “Make other forest users aware of your presence when approaching from behind by calling out or ringing a bell. This is particularly important when mountain bikers are intending to pass horseback riders.” This information is printed on forest maps, on trailhead signs posted a popular points of entry throughout the forest and on the GRCA and GFC websites.

Staff feels that increased public education is the most effective and practical way of dealing with this concern. Staff suggests that a notice be posted in the news section of the GFC website. In addition the GRCA is planning on creating a Ganaraska Forest electronic newsletter which will be sent to forest members and made available to the general public. The newsletter will provide an excellent medium for communication with forest users and could feature an article on the importance of mountain biking trail etiquette regarding interaction with horseback riders.

The conservation authority would like to see members of the committee actively involved in promoting the importance of this issue. In particular the representative for mountain biking can play a key role in communicating with his/her user group about the need for safe and proper interaction with horseback riders. Clubs and organizations involved with mountain biking and horseback riding can also play a role and the GRCA is supportive of any initiatives developed by these groups that help reduce the problem.

Additional signage has also been suggested but as mentioned above, a specific note regarding this concern is already listed on signs throughout the forest. Staff is concerned about a potential “sign pollution” situation in many parts of the forest and is therefore reluctant to post more signs.

A final suggestion is a request for the GRCA to consider providing exclusive use of trails for horseback riders and mountain bikers. The first point to consider is that both of these groups, for the most part, want to use Central Forest trails. Providing exclusive use for each group within the Central Forest would involve major change and disruption to existing trail routes, including the IMBA designated epic mountain bike trail and a reduction in the amount of trail available for both groups. In addition, enforcement of exclusive use trails would prove to be extremely difficult. The philosophy behind management of the Ganaraska Forest has always been to maintain multi-use trails to the greatest extent possible and the conservation authority would not support a move towards the provision of exclusive use trails.

A letter of notice has been distributed as a result of the RUC meeting and its members. Please ask the GFHC for a copy if you have not received it in your email yet.

Please note that the above notice was not created by the GFHC Board