Our History
Pine Ridge Hiking Club's history is entwined with the history of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail. Read all about it here.
Notes from Jay Sherwin, PRHC President 2022 – 2024
By the spring of 2022, Covid gathering restrictions had ended and hike participant numbers were no longer restricted. A post-pandemic pent-up demand for outdoor social activities, and a continuing inflow of new residents into the Cobourg and Port Hope area resulted in many new members and a noticeable increase in hiker numbers. The average number of hikers went from 10 – 12 pre pandemic to 15 – 18 post pandemic. Interest in the Pine Ridge Club proved to be more than just a post-Covid bump as membership numbers increased by 40 % between 2022 and 2024.
An initiative of the President during the term was to increase awareness of hikers to the historic presence of First Nations on the lands of our hike routes. Actions taken on this initiative were the scheduling of an annual autumn hike at the Alderville First Nation Black Oak Savanna and a mid July hike that ended with a visit to the Alderville Pow Wow.
During the three-year period, initiatives advanced by club members were instrumental in strengthening the club. One member’s work to revamp the PRHC website making it both more attractive and user friendly was no doubt a factor in the inflow of new members. Another club member’s efforts to compile the club Hike Catalogue into an on-line document greatly improved the experience of Hike Leaders in assessing and selecting hikes for club outings.
Long time club member Bob Short chose a day in June of 2022 to retire as a Hike Leader.
A brief ceremony was held at the beginning of Bob’s last guided hike to honour him for his years of dedication to the PRHC as Hike Leader, club President and caretaker of the club hike catalogue.
Storm damage in the Ganaraska Forest and liability concerns raised by Ganaraska Forest staff resulted in closure of the section of the GHTA trail through the forest. To maintain integrity of the GHTA trail, the trail was re-routed along municipally owned road allowances, following the same route used during previous trail closures through the forest.
With the end of the pandemic, the annual club social functions returned. The Port Hope Legion became the meeting site, and it served perfectly for the groups of 40 – 50 members that attended the AGMs in December and an evening of Hike Talks in March. The Through the Hikers Lens photo show also returned for exhibitions at the Port Hope Library. Photos displayed in the exhibit were often inspirations for club members to travel and hike in other parts of the world.
During the three-year period it was noted that a promise of food after a hike, whether it be at a pub or at a hiker’s home resulted in a big turn out of hikers. Perhaps it was a post-pandemic effect, but the benefits and pleasures of outdoor exercise and socializing were recognized and as a result, the PRHC thrived.
Helpful Links
The Pine Ridge Hiking Club is one of nine clubs who make up the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association.
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Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority owns and operates some of the conservation areas that we visit during scheduled hikes.
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The 11,000 acre Ganaraska Forest is one of the largest blocks of forested land in southern Ontario. Today the forest is a living example of how the principles of integrated resource management can be used to balance many different uses of forested lands on a sustainable and ecologically sound basis. Pine Ridge members do not need to purchase day passes when joining Club group hikes in the Ganaraska Forest.
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Northumberland County forest hosts many trails for hiking, cycling, horseback riding and cross country skiing. NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY FOREST
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Several of our members are also members of the Oak Ridges Trail Association. Their website has a good newsletter and a variety of hiking articles.
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The Bruce Trail provided the inspiration for the Ganaraska Trail. It is Canada's oldest and longest footpath and provides the only continuous public access to the Niagara Escarpment.
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The Ontario Trails Council promotes the creation, development, preservation, management and use of recreational trails.
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Canada Trails provides one of the largest directories of trail clubs on the web including information on the Trans-Canada Trail.
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Northumberland Tourism provides information on the variety of distinctive shops, cultural attractions, and fabulous places to eat and sleep in the County.
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Port Hope is nationally acclaimed for its designated heritage downtown. You can shop for antiques, fish the Ganaraska, have a pleasant meal, hike or see a show.
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Cobourg is a good centre for exploring the county's hiking and biking trails. It has a fabulous beach, good restaurants and many charming accommodations.
Hike Ontario has a mandate to encourage the development of hiking trails in Ontario. Its website provides a list of every hiking club in the province.
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The Grand Valley Trails Association website provides excellent Hiking resources, including topics on safety, footwear, clothing, bugs, poison ivy, giant hogweed, medical emergencies, and GPS systems. Go to:
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ONDAGO - Download the ONDAGO app on your smart phone. The app is available for free, as are the nine Ganaraska Hiking Trail maps – just search for Ganaraska!
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What Three Words - Download the What Three Words app on your smart phone. Following the three word coordinates will help you find hike locations.
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