Monthly Update for July 2026 |
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A Word from Our President |
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Dear members,
Summer is officially here! The board typically takes this month off but that doesn't mean we aren't busy ensuring trails are maintained and advocating to keep access to the trail system. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to both enjoy the trails and take a well-deserved break.
This time of year, keep water close, and keep an eye out for ticks - I accidentally brought one into my house last week after a hike by the Speed River and it's an issue to take seriously. Keep safe and hydrated, but don't hesitate to take advantage of our beautiful trail system.
In August we're looking forward to hosting you all at our first annual Members' Summer Picnic. Our newest member is already learning the basics and will be coming for a visit. Hope to see you there!
Happy hiking,
Justin |
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Our online store is open for business, and it will be hard to choose which club clothing to order. So don't! Pick up a few items of Guelph Hiking branded clothing and help raise awareness of our club in the community every time you wear them! We have cotton and wicking t-shirts, long sleeved tees, hoodies with and without zips, a water-resistant jacket, sweatpants, toques, and ball caps - all sporting our new logo!
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The t-shirts and the jacket come in regular adult and also women's styles, and everything is available for both kids and adults in sizes XS-3X.
We are working with Minuteman Press, a long-time Guelph company to carefully transfer or embroider (depends on the item) our logo onto each piece. The company selling the clothing to Minuteman is a Canadian one.
Our goal is to get lots of people wearing GHTC clothing out in the community. The more people who are aware of our club and the impactful work we do for our community, the more people we can encourage to get out into nature on the trails, and the more influence we have when it comes to advocating for trails in and around Guelph.
Click here to have a look at what's on offer! (https://www.guelphhiking.com/Store)
If you want to check out some samples for sizing, then come see us at the Guelph Farmers' Market, 10C Shared Space, or a Trek & Tell evening (once they start up again in the fall).
Online orders can be placed using credit card only. To have a look at some samples, or if you would prefer to pay by cheque, cash, or e-transfer, orders can be made in person at one of the following locations:
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Guelph Farmers’ Market (4th Saturday of each month from 8am-1pm)
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10C Shared Space (July 29 and August 12 from 6:00-7:30pm)
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Trek & Tell evenings (monthly starting in September - please visit the club calendar at guelphhiking.com/Calendar-of-All-Events for dates and times once they have been determined)
You'll need to give us 3 weeks for processing and then you can pick up your clothing at the above locations and times. You will receive an email when your order is ready for pick-up.
Thank you for supporting Fantastic Local Hiking! |
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Leave No Trace Members' Summer Picnic
WHEN: SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026
10:30am - 3:00pm
WHERE: Riverside Park
Red Roof Picnic Shelter
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Our first annual Members' Summer Picnic is coming up next month, and we have all sorts of adventures planned. Great food, great company, fresh air and summer sun - all the things we crave in mid-winter. Take advantage of it now!
Join us for a fun, social potluck picnic as we celebrate our shared love of hiking and the outdoors with a Leave No Trace mindset.
Please bring your favourite appetizer, entrée, dessert, or snack to share (enough for approximately 10 people). Electrical hook-ups will be available if you’d like to bring a crockpot.
The Club will provide hotdogs, cold beverages, and napkins.
To support our zero-waste goal, we kindly ask that you:
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Bring a refillable water bottle
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Bring your own plate, cup, and cutlery
Backyard Games Welcome!
Do you have any outdoor games you could bring along? We’d love to add to the fun!
Ideas include:
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Hula hoops
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Beach balls
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Cornhole
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Badminton
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Lawn or table games
Afternoon Hikes & Activity
After lunch, our hike leaders will guide a variety of hikes.
There will even be a scavenger hunt!
We hope you’ll join us for this relaxed and enjoyable members (and guests) event!
Note: There are picnic tables for limited seating, so you might want to bring a chair.
Register HERE!
A planning meeting for volunteers is scheduled for this Saturday, July 11th @ 1:00 pm. As "they" say, many hands make light work. If you are available to help with the event, please contact Rhonda at 226-820-5373, or by email at Rhonda McMahon |
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We're excited to see so many members enjoying all the hikes and events Guelph Hiking has to offer!
Our Member Survey is coming soon, and we'd like your feedback. Your insights will help us continue to enhance the member experience.
When you receive the survey, please take a few minutes to complete it—we'd love to hear from you. As a thank you, members who complete the survey will have the option to enter for a chance to win a Guelph Hiking T-shirt! |
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2027 Calendar Photo Contest |
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ENTER THE GHTC 2027
CALENDAR PHOTO CONTEST!
After the success of our 2026 Calendar Photo Contest, we’re excited to announce the launch of the Photo Contest for our upcoming 2027 GHTC Calendar!
We’re looking for 12 excellent photos that showcase the beauty of our local trails. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a casual hiker with a keen eye, we invite you to submit your best shots!
Photo Guidelines
Selection & Recognition
Deadline & Submission Info
Please submit your entries by midnight on Friday,October 2, 2026, to Calendar Photo Contest . If your photo files are large, then you may need to send a separate email for each one. Remember to include the photographer’s name and the location for each photo!
We can’t wait to see the trails through your lens! |
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In case you missed seeing our communication last week, it's worth reiterating that RLT 6 from the entrance at Pine Ridge Drive, past Kong Hill through to the abandoned railbed is now closed to hiking and clearly marked as No Trespassing at the request of the new landowner. The closed portion is clearly delineated in the map above. Please respect the landowner's wishes and avoid hiking on this section of the trail. The good news is the eastern part of the trail from Dublin Line, over the bridges and to the railbed is still available to hike and enjoy. It is now an out and back hike, but like all roads we travel, it looks completely different when going in the other direction! While we will all greatly miss this scenic and challenging portion of the trail, we are determined to keep the RLT continuous and are hard at work looking for an alternate route. We will be sure to keep you posted. |
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Kissing Bridge Trail - the Good News! |
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Volunteers Mike Curtis and Morgan Bowen are standing in the opening of the modified gate system on the Kissing Bridge Trail.
The volunteers installed reflective tape and new locks on the gates along the section of trail from Silvercreek Parkway to Katherine St. In West Montrose.
The gates were modified to improve accessibility for mobility devices, strollers and cyclists.
A note to trail users that when needed, volunteers will use a motorized vehicle to carry equipment such as chain saws to remove fallen or leaning trees.
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Kissing Bridge Trail - the Bad News! |
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Unfortunately, many of the 14 gates on section of the G2G Trail for which the GHTC are stewards, were damaged on the evenings of June 6 and 7, 2026. The locking mechanisms were damaged and solutions to prevent further occurrences are being investigated.
In addition to the gate locking damages, the tractor leased by the G2G was vandalized on or about June 20th. Repairs to the cab amounted to $8,100. The tractor and implements were stored behind the gate close to the Katherine St. entrance and parking lot. If anyone has noticed any suspicious activity, please notify the local police department or the Guelph Hiking Trail Club. |
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Guelph Junction Railway Update
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Thank you to all our members who answered our call out and attended the GJR Annual General Meeting at City Hall on June 23rd. It is wonderful to see GHTC members taking an active role in supporting the work we do to keep access to local trails open. There was a significantly higher turnout in the gallery than usual for this meeting!
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Frank Schoenhoeffer, our Radial Line Trail Coordinator, made a delegation on behalf of the GHTC asking GJR to remove the "This is not a trail" sign, while reiterating the need for a safe and permanent rail crossing. The message delivered clearly to the city and to GJR is that the Radial Line is a community trail, and as such they need to work more collaboratively with community members. For more follow-up on the meeting, check out this article published in guelphtoday.com 'This is not a trail' signs posted while waiting for possible new trail crossing Thanks again to all who participated. Kudos to you! |
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June 20th Work Party Update
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The “wildest” and most beautiful section of the Speed River Trail is beside the river along the western half of Section 2, between Road 124 and Puslinch Sideroad 10 North. Wildest, as it is afflicted with floods every spring, and the resulting riotous fern and weed growth. Most beautiful, as the river is punctuated by ledges, rapids and islands and teems with waterfowl. Even slightly dangerous, with curious hidden drain holes in the “levee” along the river that we try to flag with stakes.
Trail captains over the years have found this section especially challenging to mow. And efforts to tame it with boardwalks sometimes are washed away in the annual floods.
GHTC had earlier stashed stockpiles of lumber in 3 elevated locations along the riverbank, brought in by three canoe loads from Road 32, a kilometer downstream. For the work party, even more lumber was purchased to carry in from 124. So on Saturday June 20, 13 hardy women and men from the club ventured down to the river to build more boardwalks, lumber atop shoulders. Boardwalks were hammered together in width such that our trail captain, Aidan Mindorff, of Kitchener, would be able to run both wheels of the lawn mower over the planks. These were then placed in 8-foot sections in the soggiest spots to keep Aidan’s mower from bogging in. We are following up with wire-rope tethers to make sure none of our hard-won work floats away with the next floods. We were again fortunate to have milder weather and not-so-bad bug conditions.
Be sure to check out this well-maintained section, which can be accessed from the trailheads on either Road 124 (see the handbook) or Puslinch SR 10N before it closes for the annual fall hunting season on September 1 (thru Jan. 20). |
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James Street Trail Cleanup |
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A crew from Woodhouse Renovations hired by the University of Guelph can be seen transferring garbage collected from encampments to a container for disposal. A crew of up to 12 spent 10 days doing a clean up of both Marianne’s Park and the connecting section of the Radial Line Trail often referred to as the James St. Trail, removing all evidence of the encampments.
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John Fisher Memorial Plaque |
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"In loving memory of
John Fisher
a cherished member and former president of the
Guelph Hiking Trail Club. John was a passionate trailblazer,
inspirational leader, strong advocate, and builder
of bridges between people and across rivers.
He left an indelible mark on our trails and our hearts."
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John Fisher was truly passionate about nature, and those of us who love the outdoors have benefited greatly from the mark he left in our fair city and on our local hiking trails.
He was a true trailblazer and builder of bridges—bridges that spanned rivers, that helped turn dreams into reality, and connected people—creating a better community in every sense of the word. He worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the Guelph Hiking Trail Club and the important work we do in providing access to nature through the creation and maintenance of our local trails.
This memorial plaque has been installed on the first bench of the Kissing Bridge Trail, just past the gate at Silvercreek Parkway. While he is greatly missed, his spirit and influence can still be felt. Next time you are hiking or biking the KBT take a seat, catch your breath, and spend a little time with him. He would love it! |
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Amazing Member Opportunities! |
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Discover Honey Bees at the
Luckevich Pinchin
Honey Bee Research Centre |
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The Guelph Hiking Trail Club is pleased to offer members and friends or family a special guided tour of the Luckevich Pinchin Honey Bee Research Centre (HBRC) at the University of Guelph. (Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.) This two-hour experience explores the fascinating world of honey bees and pollinators.
Participants will meet their tour guides in the Discovery Zone of the newly opened HBRC and enjoy a short interactive presentation covering honey bee biology, the importance of pollination, and pollinator-friendly plants. The tour will also include guidance on how to behave safely around stinging insects and a demonstration of beekeeping safety practices in the outdoor bee yard.
For an up-close look at life inside a hive, beehive components will be brought into the apiary for participants to examine. Members will also enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the new HBRC, including areas not normally accessible to the public.
The visit concludes with time to browse the honey shop, where a variety of honey products and other fundraising items will be available for purchase.
We hope you will join us for this special opportunity to learn about the vital role honey bees play in our environment while connecting with other GHTC members.
- Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
- Time: 10:00 am (please arrive by 9:50 am)
- Location: Luckevich Pinchin Honey Bee Research Centre
460 Stone Road East, Guelph
- Cost: $10.00 per person
*Please note - we will be in an area with a lot of bees, and stings are unlikely but possible, so each participant is required to complete a waiver before the start of the tour.
Click HERE to register! |
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In July, we'll be at the Guelph Farmers' Market on Saturday, July 25 from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm. We'll have Handbooks, blank greeting cards, and memberships available like usual, but we'll also have some of our new GHTC t-shirts and ball caps for you to purchase on the spot!
We love it when folks pop by our booth to say "hi," so even if you don't plan to buy anything, be sure to stop by for a quick chat when you're getting your weekly produce and other Market goodies!
Hope to see you there! |
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There are still a few spots left for our 3rd Annual Blue Jays Bus Hike on Sunday, July 19th!
Join us in cheering on the "Boys of Summer"
in what's sure to be a classic game as the Jays take on the Chicago White Sox.
Your ticket includes roundtrip bus transportation, a guided waterfront hike to prepare you for the 7th inning stretch, and a premium game ticket.
Register HERE and come join in on the fun!
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Check out the GHTC calendar regularly for updates on all hikes!
Wednesdays - Arboretum afternoon hikes are offered every Wednesday afternoon. For more information contact Christa at arb.naturalist@uoguelph.ca or ext. 53615. Level: easy. Speed: slow.
Upcoming Hikes July 9 - Downey Trail July 13 - Arkell Springs - Radial Line and Side Trails July 15 - The Dufferin Gap from Speyside July 16 - Cancelled - YogaHikes with Rhonda, Session 1/4 July 18 - BT Iroquoia E2E - Day 9: Rattlesnake Point to Hilton Falls July 19 - Blue Jays Bus Hike 2026 July 20 - Ignatius Jesuit Centre Trails July 26 - Section 5/Bear Den Loop - Radial Line Series July 27 - Guelph Lake
Thanks to our VOLUNTEER hike leaders
for building these hikes.
We appreciate your time and efforts! |
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GHTC Trail Users' Code
As a member you agree to follow the GHTC Trail Users' Code when on the trails:
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July 19 - Annual Blue Jays Hike
August 23 - First annual Summer Members' BBQ September 19 - RLT E2E
May 4, 2027 - May the 4th be with you hike, 50th Anniversary |
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Other Hiking and Outdoor News
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PO Box 1, Guelph, ON, N1H 6J6
www.guelphhiking.com |
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