july 2011
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GHTC News July 2011TRANSCRIPT
RADIAL LINE TRAIL40 YEARS AND COUNTING
By Dave Hull
There must have been something in the air inOntario in the late 1960s and early 1970s asthere was at that time a sudden outburst ofhiking trail activity in the province.
Envisioned in the early 1960s and opened in 1967,the 800 km long Bruce Trail set the standard for therest of the hiking fraternity in Ontario. Within thenext ten years hiking trails were planned, built andopened between Ottawa and Kingston (Rideau Trail),east from Goderich in the Maitland River valley(Maitland Trail),in the Thames River valley centredon London (Thames Valley Trail), in the Grand Rivervalley centred on Kitchener-Waterloo (Grand ValleyTrail) and in the Speed and Eramosa River valleyscentred on Guelph (Guelph Trail), to name some ofthe major undertakings.
Before Jill and John Leslie came to Guelph in the late60s they purchased 1:50,000 scale topographic mapsof the area and noticed on one an abandoned railwayline following a couple of valleys east of Guelph.This was the electric Radial Line that ran betweenToronto and Guelph until it was abandoned inAugust, 1931. In the interim, parts of the rail bed hadbecome an unofficial hiking and skiing path. Jillbecame the sparkplug in efforts to turn this corridorinto an official trail from Guelph to the Bruce Trail atLimehouse, near Acton.
Originally Jill thought the Bruce Trail Club (BTC)might take this link on as a side trail, but aftermeetings with the Caledon Hills and TorontoSections of the BTC and with Phil Gosling, one ofthe founders of the Bruce Trail who lived in Guelph,it became evident that the establishment of anindependent trail club was the way to proceed.
Armed with a list of Caledon Hills members living inthe Guelph area, none of whom she knew, she sent anote out asking for expressions of interest in buildingsuch a trail. After follow-up phone calls, she calleda meeting for September 29, 1970, that was attendedby herself, Marshall Matson, Lorne Fischer, GertrudeSpeers, Esme and Jim Hunt, Kathleen Brown,
Catherine Kopf, Jim Pierce and Sheila Washburn, allof whom loved the out-of-doors and were active ineither the Guelph Field Naturalists, the BTC or both.With such an enthusiastic group it didn’t take muchtime to divide up the tasks and start ‘building’ thetrail.
Over the next year four meetings were held to discussprogress in obtaining land owners’ consent, buildingstiles and blazing the trail. By the autumn of 1971,with the help of some Toronto BTC members, withthe encouragement of Phil Gosling and under thedirection of “president” Jim Pierce, the now-namedRADIAL TRAIL CLUB had almost completed thetrail to Limehouse. At the December, 1971 meeting,the members present elected Florence Partridgechairman, Kathleen Brown vice-chairman and EsmeHunt secretary-treasurer, and they took on a newname, THE GUELPH TRAIL CLUB.
Thus was the Club born. By the end of 1972, themembership stood at 200, so obviously there hadbeen a latent need for such a formal hiking group andtrail in the Guelph area. There certainly had beensomething in the air. In this 40 anniversary year ofth
the Club we should remember, with thanks, JillLeslie and her band of pioneers.
GHTC PresidentsFrom Then Until Now
1971 Jim Pierce1972 Florence Partridge1973 George Kouvarellis1974/75 Henry Graupner1976 Mimi Hamilton1977/78 Bob Fanning1979/80 Sandra Webster1981/82 Dave Hull1983/90 Mike Curtis1991-1993 John Wood1994/95 Jack Scott1996 Barb McIver1997 Jack Scott1998/00 Mike Curtis2001/03 Susan Atkinson2004/05 Andy Cann2006/09 Mike Curtis2010 - Kathy Somers.
GHTC Newsletter - July, 2011 - Page 3
Happy TrailsBy Susan Atkinson
Hiking is good for the body, mind and spirit.Plus it's one of the easiest and most satisfyingways to exercise. It is low-impact,
invigorating, accessible and always challenging. It'seasy to start, addictive once you do, and requires verylittle gear for big health benefits.
Hiking and walking are quite similar, yes. But whilea walk can be straightforward, hiking is an activitythat is constantly changing. The physicalunpredictability poses a greater challenge to a largernumber of muscles resulting in a superior, morefull-body workout. "Hiking involves movementthrough different elevations of terrain", says a trainerin Toronto. "These changes in elevation - fromrough to rocky to hilly - challenge your muscles andyour stamina. It's not simply walking on a pavedpath".
The moderate low-intensity nature of hiking,combined with the fact that it's typically stretched outover a prolonged period of time – say two to fourhours – makes it the ideal calorie – burning workout.While hiking, a lot of oxygen is coming into thebody, which helps to keep you in the fat- burningzone.
While it's ruthless with calories, hiking is one of thegentlest forms of exercise for the body. "This kind oflow-intensity activity doesn't put stress on the jointsor the cardio-vascular system as much as some otheractivities do," says the trainer, who is also achiropractor. She also says that hiking can actuallyhelp improve digestion and sleep patterns, as well asdecease stress levels.
Hiking engages several large muscle groups: thelower back, the glutes, and the full leg, (quads, calvesand hamstrings). If you use a walking stick – whichisn't cheating; it actually intensifies the workout- thenyou're also targeting your core abdominal musclesand the upper body (chest, shoulders and back).Similar to weight-lifting, this repetitive load-bearingactivity - the load being your body, as you pull andpropel yourself over challenging paths – can
stimulate and increase bone density, helping to wardoff osteoporosis.
All these muscles become toned, coordination,balance and joint flexibility improve, and stiffnessbecomes a thing of the past. But, equallyimportantly, an activity such as hiking can help delaythe onset of sarcopenia – the gradual loss of musclemass and strength that occurs with age.
Anyone, at any age, can be a hiker. It's safe andlow-impact, but if you're new to the activity, start offby conditioning your body gradually with somesimple walks, and build up slowly to morechallenging walks, including hills, for longerdistances.
Condensed from an article in Sears “My Advantage”magazine. Fall 2010
2011 Oxfam Trailwalker Canada
The Oxfam Trailwalker, an annual fund-raisingevent, is becoming a global phenomenon withfifteen events currently scheduled in twelvedifferent countries. This year’s Oxfam
Trailwalker Canada will take place on the weekendof July 22 to 24 on the Ganaraska Hiking Trail,nd th
starting near Barrie and ending in Orillia.
The challenge is for a four member team to completethe 100 km in 48 hours. Each team must starttogether, stick together and finish together. The eventis not just physically demanding, but it is also a fund-raising challenge. When registering, a team commitsto raising $ 2,500 and all proceeds go towards OxfamCanada's efforts in making a difference in the lives ofwomen and girls, men and boys living in poverty.
Registration is now open. If interested, go to theOxfam Trailwalker site at:
www.oxfamtrailwalker.ca/home
and click on the Register Icon near the top of thepage.
GHTC Newsletter - July, 2011 - Page 7
lunch. No dogs, please. Wear hiking boots or running shoes.Leader: Mary Sexton, John Vanderpost, 519-265- 8669, before 9p.m. Level 1. Speed Moderate.
Sunday, July 3 ABOUT GODERICH CYCLE 10a.m., 1-1 1/2 hrPre-registration: Sjani Craig 1-519-524-9136
Monday, July 4 PROVINCE'S LANDS AT MORRISTON 5 km Hills, hills, hills all are here in the deep woods just south of the 401. First GHTC hike held here in well over a decade. Meet atcovered bridge parking lot off Gordon Street for 6:30p.m. carpool departure. Leader: Bill Mungall [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Wednesday, July 6 IROQUOIA BT, JONES ROAD TO KIMBERLEY DRIVE ± 14kmLeader: Louise Langlais [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Thursday, July 7 GUELPH LAKE HIKE 1½-2 hrFor this hike on Guelph Lake trails meet at the Guelph covered bridge parking lot east of Gordon Street for 7p.m. carpooldeparture or at the trail. Bring bug repellant and water. No dogs please. Wear hiking boots. Leader: Mary Sexton, John Vanderpost 519-265- 8669, before 9p.m.; Lynn Glover 519-780-0342 Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Saturday, July 9 BOTANIZING STROLL ALONG THE SPEED RIVER HIKE 1½ hrFor details contact Dorothy nearer to hike date.Leader: Dorothy Scott 519-821-1786 Level 1. Speed Casual.
Saturday, July 9 GUELPH TRAILS CELEBRATE NUNAVUT DAY 14 kmLeader: Jamie Hember 1-519-745-1375 Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Sunday, July 10 `THAMES VALLEY TRAIL END2END HIKE - FANSHAWE PARK TO PLOVER MILLS 19 kmToday we hike through the Fanshawe Park CA along the shores of the man-made Fanshawe Lake. The trail is relatively even withsome mild undulations. Be aware of a required nominal fee by Upper Thames Valley CA for hikers not members of the ThamesValley Hiking Club. After we exit the conservation area, we will follow a gravel road the distance to Plover Mills. Drop-out isavailable at 12 km. Meet 10a.m. at the hamlet of Plover Mills to the north of the Fanshawe CA. There is off-road parking on thenorth and south sides of Plover Mills Road, County Road 16 - Reference Map 5, TVT Guidebook. Leader: Jim Vanderlip 1-416-925-9134, [email protected]; Steve McLean, Larry Haigh Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Monday, July 11 TORONTO ISLAND LOOP ±10kmLeader: Errol MacKenzie Dundas 1-905-627-9497 to 9p.m. [email protected] Level 1/2. Speed Moderate.
Monday, July 11 ARBORETUM ATTRACTIONS 1.5 hrWalk through the Gosling Wildlife Gardens to see how to plant your home gardens to attract more birds and wildlife to your ownbackyard. Then we visit the Arboretum's special "Gardens in the Park" and the "World of Trees". Meet 7p.m. at the ArboretumCentre parking lot accessed off of College Avenue, west of the stoplight at Victoria Road. Leader: Susan Atkinson, 519-837-9470; [email protected] Level 1. Speed Moderate.
Wednesday, July 13 PORT ROBINSON TO NIAGARA MERRITT TRAIL ± 15 kmLeader: Errol MacKenzie Dundas 1-905-627-9497 to 9p.m. [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Saturday, July16 GVTA GLEN MORRIS TO FIVE MAPLES 16 kmLeader: Jamie Hember 1-519-745-1375 Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Friday-Sunday, July 15-17 N AMERICAN LILY SOCIETY CONVENTION AND SHOW, RGBA sea of lilies will be on display in the Camilla and Peter Dalgleish atrium. With lily stems from across every division of thegenus exhibited you are sure to see something new, unusual or rarely seen. The floral design section of this show rivals the best.
Saturday, July 16 MTA ROBERTSON TRACT 10a.m., 2hrLeader: Cole Currie Goderich 1-519-524-2250. Level 1. Speed Casual.
Sunday, July 17 MAITLAND CEMETERY 2p.m., ±1.5hrLeader: Roger Goddard 519-612-1236 for more information. Level 2. Speed Casual.
GHTC Newsletter - July, 2011 - Page 15
Monday, August 1 LAFARGE TRAIL, FLAMBOROUGH PART TWO 11 km Another chance to continue hiking in this unique area! This part of the trail offers more great views with another steep climbamong the drumlins. Meet at the Guelph covered bridge parking lot east of Gordon Street for 9:30a.m. carpool to MiddletownRoad for a 10a.m. start. (Watch carefully for the Concession Road 6 west road's access on the right off hwy 6. Continue somedistance to Middletown Road on the left, to park on Middletown Road.) Bring lunch, water, sunscreen and bug repellent.Leader: Susan Bard 519-836-6570; Donald Hughes Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Wednesday, August 3 AGREEMENT FOREST ± 14km Leader: Louise Langlais [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Saturday, August 5 VALLEY-BAGGING SERIES: LUNCH IN HIDDEN VALLEY, ALDERSHOT 2 hrVALLEY-BAGGING along major escarpment valleys HIKE 8 of 18 continues in Grindstone Creek Valley territory! MeetHidden Valley Park in Aldershot, Burlington for 10a.m. out-and-back walk through Hendrie Valley. Follow 403 to WaterdownRoad, head south, turn right onto Plains Road, turn right on Howard Road, turn left on Lemmonville Road, proceed down the hillto the second parking lot on the left that is half way up the next hill. Look for Bruce Trail sign. Bring a lunch for a picnic in thepark. This is not a potluck, but do feel free to bring extra items if you wish. Leader: Paul Toffoletti 1-905-634-2642 Level 1. Speed Moderate.
Saturday, August 6 ARBORETUM AND GUELPH CONNECTING LINKS 7 km; 2 to 2.5 hrSee how nice it can be to hike or stroll in city parks. Meet at the volleyball courts parking lot for west of Edinburgh Road byWellington Street at 9:30a.m.Leader: Stan and Jana 519-821-7996 Level 1. Speed Casual to Moderate.
Monday, August 8 IROQUOIA BT TIFFANY FALLS TO WOODLEY LANE `±12 kmLeader: Errol MacKenzie Dundas 1-905-627-9497 to 9p.m. [email protected] Level 2/3. Speed Moderate.
Wednesday, August 10 VALLEY-BAGGING SERIES: NIAGARA, SHORT HILLS PARK LOOP ±14kmVALLEY-BAGGING along major escarpment valleys HIKE 9 of 18 continues!Leader: Errol MacKenzie Dundas 1-905-627-9497 to 9p.m. [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Saturday-Monday, August 13-15 BRUCE TRAIL SYDENHAM HIKE 1-3 9.6 km; 17 km; 11.7 km 12p.m. start HIKE 1 km 93.4 Map 32; 9a.m. start HIKE 2 km 64.7 Map 31; HIKE 3 km 93.4 Map 32. Leader: Jamie Hember 1-519-745-1375; Greg , Jeanette Vincent 1-519-579-8210 Level 2/3. Speed Moderate.
Monday, August 15 CALEDON BT ALTON TRAIL TO BRIMSTONE ±15kmLeader: Errol MacKenzie Dundas 1-905-627-9497 to 9p.m. [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Monday, August 15 ELMIRA LIONS TRAIL 7 km/ 2 hr Meet at the Canadian Tire Store on Woodlawn Road for 6.15p.m. car pool to Floradale for an enjoyable evening hike around theWoolwich Reservoir. Bring water, no pets. Leader: Terry Spittles, 519-265-6203, [email protected] Level 1. Speed Moderate.
Wednesday, August 17 GREENSVILLE, WEBSTERSFALLS, CHRISTIE CA LOOP ± 15kmLeader: Errol MacKenzie Dundas 1-905-627-9497 to 9p.m. [email protected] Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Thursday, August18 GUELPH LAKE 1½-2 hrHere's another chance to hike more trails in the Guelph Lake area. Meet at the Guelph covered bridge parking lot east of GordonStreet for 7p.m. carpool departure. Bring bug repellant, snack and water. No dogs please.Leader: Mary Sexton, John Vanderpost 519-265- 8669, before 9p.m. Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Saturday, August 20 GHTC SPEED RIVER TRAILS 8 km, 2.5 hrWe will hike Section 2 of our Speed River trail and John Wood Sidetrails on Section 1. Meet for 9:30a.m.start at the HumaneSociety parking lot off Wellington Street west of the Hanlon.Leader: Stan and Jana 519-821-7996 Level 2. Speed Moderate.
Sunday, August 21 VALLEY-BAGGING SERIES: DUNDAS VALLEY HIKE 10 kmVALLEY-BAGGING along major escarpment valleys repeat HIKE 3 of 18 continues! There is a variety of hills and rockysections to hike throughout the valley. Meet for 9:30a.m. carpool depart from the Guelph covered bridge parking lot east ofGordon Street. Bring a snack, water and wear hiking boots. No dogs, please. Leader: Mary Sexton, John Vanderpost 519-265- 8669, before 9p.m.; Lynn Glover 519-780-0342 Level 2. Speed Moderate.
GHTC Newsletter - July, 2011 - Page 17
Our Pedestrian Trails Are MoreImportant Than Ever
By Bill Wilson, Hike Ontario President
Pedestrian pathways in the woods have beenimportant to me for most of my lifetime. WhenI started building trails, I rediscovered the
childhood sensation of quiet contemplativeenjoyment and discovery outdoors. I also got exerciseoutdoors in the company of like-mindedtrail-building people.
Overtime, I saw how our local trail became a uniqueopportunity to socialize together, to enjoy thewonders of a natural river valley, to gain free healthbenefits and could help people, particularly children,discover the diversity of nature.
All these experiences remain as clear benefits of ourwalking and hiking trails - making them pricelessassets in our communities.
More recently, our pedestrian trails seem to be evenmore important. We are in an era of rapidurbanization combined with increasing outdooreducation cutbacks. At the Hike Ontario Summit inTrenton last November, Terri LeRoux broughtNature Deficit to our attention and evidence of theestrangement of children from nature. These aretroubling developments.
Without access to natural areas such as ourpedestrian trails, how can children begin to discoverwhat a healthy environment looks like?
How can they begin to appreciate our naturalenvironment?
How can they learn how to protect it, or vote for it?
Pierre Elliot Trudeau said that; “It takes up too muchtime, being afraid.” And I do not dwell on thesedevelopments. Many of their causes are out of ourcontrol. They do prompt me to underline that HikeOntario and its members for over thirty years havebeen a very direct and positive response to thesedevelopments.
Our pedestrian trails continue to offer direct contactwith nature for all walks of life including ourchildren. Our Ontario trail clubs continue to offer asafe experience with nature free of charge to thetaxpayer. Hike Ontario offers many educationalmaterials for safe hiking, young hikers, hike leadersand nature discovery.
Our pedestrian trails and the expertise of our clubsare more important to society than ever. We arecradles of our community’s nature awareness andindividual self-discovery. I urge you all to continueyour trail efforts and stewardship. I invite manymore volunteers to join your – our - excellent andvaluable work.
Reproduced, with kind permission, from the HikeOntario website.
More Excerpts from the HikeOntario Web Site
Ontario is an incredible place to live and play and aneven better place to hike!!
If you are lucky enough to get outside and hike thetrails of this great province, there are a few basicthings that every hiker should know. Things likewhere to hike, what to do if you get lost and whatrules are smart to follow. You can find all of thisinformation on the Hike Ontario or GHTC web sites.
Did you know?* Ontario, Canada's second largest province, covers
more than one million square kilometers(415,000 square miles) - an area larger thanFrance and Spain combined.
* Ontario boasts more than 64,000 kilometers oftrails
* Ontario offers everything from gentle walking trailsto rock faces for climbing
* Many thousands use these trails everyday* Most major trails in Ontario include glacial
landforms as one of their most interestingfeatures. Some of the most significant are theNiagara Escarpment, the Oak Ridges Moraineand Sleeping Giant
GHTC Newsletter - July, 2011 - Page 21
It’s time to renew your membership in the Guelph Hiking Trail Club!
Most existing GHTC memberships expire on August 31, 2011 - but please ignore this reminder if your membershipcard indicates that your current membership expires at a later date.
By renewing you are actively keeping our trails open, supporting maintenance of the existing network andcontributing to the development of new trails.
The Club membership fee plus any voluntary contributions are tax deductible!
Please complete this form and send it, with your cheque made out to the Guelph Hiking Trail Club, toDave Culham , GHTC Membership Secretary, 19 Munroe Cres., Guelph, ON N1G 5E5
Membership Information (Please Print)
� Individual membership @ $25.00 � Family Membership @ $25.00
Surname: ___________________________ Given Name(s): ____________________________________
Additional family member names: ______________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________
City:______________________________ Province: ___________________________________
Postal Code: _______________________ Telephone: __________________________________
E-mail address: ___________________________________________________________________
Spare some trees!� Please check here if you would like to receive the newsletter by e-mail rather than by post.
Membership* Tax deductible* $25.00Handbook with trail maps _____ @ $15.00
Club Badge _____ @ $3.00
Donation to GHTC* Tax deductible*
TOTA
* Membership fee plus any donations can be claimed on your income tax return. Keep your receipt!
Your club depends on volunteers to carry out administrative duties and various trail programmes. Please indicate how you might be willing to help during the coming year.
9 Trail Maintenance 9 Newsletter 9 Advertising 9 Social Activities 9 Publicity
9 Leading Hikes 9 Club Administration 9 Prefer not to volunteer this year.
I have read and agree to abide by the GHTC Trail Users’ Code. Signature ________________________
Trail Users’ Code can be found on the club Blog at: guelphhiking.blogspot.com/and clicking on the Trail Users’ Code link at the left of the screen.
Also, check out the Hiking A to Z link for timely advice for new and experienced hikers.
Extend the hand of fitness friendship - Encourage others to join the GHTC.
GHTC Newsletter - July, 2011 - Page 23
