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12/22/2016 12:20 am  #1


Snowshoeing near Barrie

I'm going to be in Barrie for a couple of days over Christmas and want to do some snowshoeing while I'm there. Snowshoeing opportunities are few and far between here in Toronto.
Does anyone have any suggestions where I can access some nice wooded areas. Not interested in groomed trails.

Feeling the itch!

Dave


Dave
 

12/22/2016 7:43 am  #2


Re: Snowshoeing near Barrie

https://maps.simcoe.ca/public/

Thousands of acres of county forest in the area, and most are open enough to make your own trail if the access roads are trampled. There are some nice tracts north on Bayfield around Gill and Horseshoe Valley Roads.

 

12/22/2016 10:58 am  #3


Re: Snowshoeing near Barrie

Be aware that most trails are multi-use, and there could be snowmobiles.

And there might be hunters.

Thornton-Cookstown Trans Canada Trail
http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails/view/thornton-cookstown-trans-canada-trail

"search nearby" (ignore the Innisfil Beach Park "trail")
http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails/view/thornton-cookstown-trans-canada-trail

Copeland Forest
http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails/view/copeland-forest-trails


Barbara


Take everything as it comes; the wave passes, deal with the next one.

Tom Thomson, 1877-1917
 

12/22/2016 12:24 pm  #4


Re: Snowshoeing near Barrie

In most tracts, motorized vehicles are prohibited - the map legend will indicate which ones allow vehicles,  but usually they are restricted to the actual syndicated snowmobile trails. Most of the larger tracts have dozens of side trails that are seldom used, and many of the hilly forests are open enough to hike off trail.
Bowhunting for deer closes on December 31, but most hunters have stopped hunting by now and most of the deer moved to the low lying winter yards over the last week or two. Bow hunters are seldom a threat.  Small game season is still open, but again, I hunt/hike/snowshoe a lot of the forests in this area and I have never run into another small game hunter.
I know these forests really well so feel free to message me if you want specific recommendations.

 

12/27/2016 7:44 pm  #5


Re: Snowshoeing near Barrie

My Self Reliance wrote:

https://maps.simcoe.ca/public/

Thousands of acres of county forest in the area, and most are open enough to make your own trail if the access roads are trampled. There are some nice tracts north on Bayfield around Gill and Horseshoe Valley Roads.

Thanks, Shawn.
Tried off Gill not too far north of Doran. Snow was no good for snowshoeing but enjoyed hiking along the well-packed snowmobile trails. It would be easy to get turned around in there!


Dave
     Thread Starter
 

12/27/2016 7:46 pm  #6


Re: Snowshoeing near Barrie

Added to the list. Thank you.
 


Dave
     Thread Starter
 

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