Happy New Year 2011

Happy New year to all who like trails.

E-notes of the Toronto Bruce Trail Club

An opportunity to keep that New Year resolution to get more exercise, and walk off some of the excess of the night before! (Note the late start time.) Join us for the annual loop hike around the many paths and trails in the conservation area. Dogs permitted, but must be leashed. After the hike those who want to can repair to the Mohawk Inn for some of their delicious hot chocolate. We will have earned it.

Earthroots

"Everyone at Earthroots would like to thank our supporters, volunteers, activists and allies as we look back at some of the things we have accomplished together in 2010, and look forward to the work we have ahead in 2011.

If you haven't given recently, please consider making a charitable contribution through the secure services of CanadaHelps.  Your renewed support will help Earthroots achieve new victories in wilderness, wildlife and watershed protection in the coming year."

CTV Southwestern Ontario - Snowmobile trails closed due to warm weather - CTV News

"Milder weather swept through Southwestern Ontario on Friday, and with it, a warning for snowmobilers. All trails south of Barrie have closed, including those in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Anyone heading out should consult the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club's website for closure information.
Riding on a closed trail could cause snowmobile damage or personal injury."

See OFSC Interactive Guide

Test for facebook link

Test for facebook link

Ontario Trails Blog now connected to Twitter

Just in case you aren't following us on twitter - we're active.

ATV crash victim remains in hospital: cousin - The Cornwall Standard Freeholder - Ontario, CA

"CORNWALL -- Scott Waldrif, a 25-year-old man whose ATV hit a tree on Friday, Dec. 17, is 'progressing every day,' says his cousin, Keith Waldrif.

'He's a lucky boy,' said Keith on Friday, Dec. 31. 'As far as I know, he is progressing every day.'

Scott Waldrif was found by Ontario Provincial Police officers around 2 a.m. on Dec. 17 on a trail in South Glengarry. He was brought to the Ottawa Civic Hospital for treatment."

We suggest all read: ATV Smart

Reflectons on the Outdoors- Happy New Year

For me this has been a year of rediscovery for the most part....a rediscovery of things that are important to me....particularly the outdoors....and especially the canoe. Over the past 12 months, I have reflected often on this blog about such things....I've seen this blog grow from a mere 216 views in the first month to over 3,700 this past month.....the highest number for a single day has been 273 back in October....and nearly 30.000 have viewed this blog.

Trailblazing ladies - The Barrie Examiner - Ontario, CA

"The last bastion of male bonding on the trails has hit a snag.

Women are taking over the sport of snowmobiling.

Twenty years ago, Jody Sutton remembers riding on the back of her husband's sled as they whipped through the countryside.

'Now, women come in to buy their own sleds,' said the customer service representative at St. Onge Recreation on Hart Drive. 'Or they'll buy two: one for her and one for her husband.'"

Local skiers making tracks - Tillsonburg News - Ontario, CA

"A bumper crop of snow has been a boon for local cross-country skiers. Conditions have been excellent – so far – in the Tillsonburg area.

'Probably the best we've seen since we started this (Ski for Life)… especially around Tillsonburg,' said cross-country skiing instructor Dan Mahony, who founded Ski for Life in 1998."

For a full list of trails see; Ontario Trails Map South Western Ontario

Twitter / @Conservation Ontario: Happy #ecomonday! #StepInt ...

"Happy #ecomonday! #StepIntoNature at one of Ontario's 250 Conservation Areas! http://bit.ly/6uamg8"

Check out a trail any day: Ontario Trails

Police briefs | London | News | London Free Press

"Huron OPP also advise that snowmobile trails may be closed for the weekend due to warmer temperatures predicted for this weekend With the ground not frozen and the snow insulating it, the trails are melting from the ground up. It is an offence to drive on a closed trail so check the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs for trail conditions prior to heading out. www.ofsc.on.ca"

City of Toronto: Cycling in Toronto - Bicycle Licensing

"On May 20, 1935 the City of Toronto passed a bylaw to license residents owning and using bicycles on the highways of the City.

The licensing process was quite complicated. Cyclists had to apply for a license through City Hall. Then the cyclist was required to go to a police station and have a police officer inspect the bicycle and fill out paperwork. That paper work was returned to City Hall and a license was granted. The cyclists then had to return a duplicate license to the same Police Inspector where the bicycle was examined. Then a metal plate was issued for the year and affixed to the mudguard of the bike"

CTV Southwestern Ontario - OPP, GRCA warning people about thin ice - CTV News

"Police and conservation authorities are warning local residents that a lot of the ice on lakes, rivers and ponds around Ontario isn't safe yet.

Ice does not freeze at a uniform thickness across most lakes and rivers and authorities say near-shore ice is often much thicker and safer than ice further out.

The OPP say snowmobilers should keep off lakes and rivers until at least 20 centimetres of clear blue ice has formed."

Terrace Standard - Walker’s best friend is a snowmobile

"Snowmobiles have their place and their uses – rescuing stranded motorists from their snow bound vehicles on Ontario’s Highway 40l; hauling feed to two starving horses abandoned by their owner in a remote area of Mount Renshaw near McBride in 2008; and breaking trail for dog walkers across windswept fields after a week of heavy snowfall when low temperatures have created a crust offering all the traction of goose grease."

New Hamburg Trails Open, Nottttt!!!!! - Ontario Conditions

"by the amount of traffic on some of the trails in New Hamburg you might think they are open but they are not...even with trail closed signs up people still just ride right through.....and we wonder why landowners get kicked off and trails keep closing"

Please ride responsibly and stay off unopened trails - OTC

Family friendly winter activities - The Sudbury Star - Ontario, CA

"'It's a great winter activity,' said Real Carre, the director of leisure services for Sudbury. 'I think that's the key word of the day. When you look at things people like to do in the wintertime, we try the best we can to provide facilities that will facilit at e that. It really gets the people out of the winter blues and gives them an opportunity to participate in recreational programs. It's exciting for the folks participating.'"

Sudbury Sports News - Alannah MacLean nabs gold at Ontario Cup race

"It was an exciting start to the Nordic ski season for Alannah MacLean, representing the Walden Cross-Country Fitness Club and taking home gold by the slimmest of margins at the first race in the Ontario Cup series in Duntroon earlier this month."

Roest rips up the track at Ontario Cup race - Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin - Ontario, CA

"Collingwood para-skier Robbie Roest lived up to his nickname of 'The Rocket' earlier this month.

Roest, who has cerebral palsy, won the 600-metre sprint to claim a gold medal at the Ontario Cup cross-country ski races at Highlands Nordic in Duntroon Dec. 18.

Coach Gray Fohr said 14 para-Nordic racers from across Ontario attended the event, including Paralympics cross-country skier and World Champion tandem-cyclist Robbi Weldon from Thunder Bay."

Kearney Dog Sled Races Return to North Muskoka – American Consumer News

"The 17th Annual Kearney Dog Sled Races, to take place on February 12th and 13th, 2011, will once again be held in the small North Muskoka community of Kearney, located just 43 kilometres north of Huntsville, Ontario. Each year, area businesses and residents alike, look forward to this exciting annual winter event. It is considered to be the highlight of the Almaguin Highland- Near-North tourist area’s winter season, attracting visitors to the region from across the province and as far away as the United States."