Hockley Valley Hiking

If you only need one reason to visit Creemore then its charm will suffice. Take a stroll through its tree-lined downtown, with brilliant flower baskets and bright blue bikes decorating the sidewalks and you’ll feel transported back to days gone by. Visit the smallest jail in Ontario and may be the smallest in North America.
It’s a place where passersby still smile and nod hello. Where shopkeepers will chat about friendly gossip with locals or gush about their love of their hometown to visitors. I think it’s one of the many reasons to visit Creemore!
Experience Creemore
Creemore Farmer's Market
North America's Smallest Jail

This is an exploratory hike and we will navigate the trail together. Expect detours, a few wrong turns, unforeseen trail closures, unintentional trail blazing and who knows what else. This will be another new adventure.

This hike is rated intermediate, mostly flat and is about 15km long.

We will hike through Simcoe County Forest along the Ganaraska Trail to Airport Road, then south along Airport Road for about 1km to Carruthers Memorial Park. From there the trail continues beside the Mad River for about 2km to Concession Road 3, where the next 6km will be urban walking. About half of the route is along paved roadway with vehicular traffic and no shade coverage, the remainder is a mix of gravel surface and forest trails.

Membership Fee
Members must pay an annual fee of $8.00 for the period from January to December and are allowed to bring two guests to each event for free. This is to help cover Meetup’s annual subscription fee.
New members can attend their first event for free before opting for an annual membership.
Current members are required to submit their payment at the time of RSVP, rather than in advance. When they RSVP for an event, their names will be added to the waitlist automatically. Fees are applicable only when you are on the waitlist.
Please e-Transfer to dierw@rogers.com and be sure to put your name to clearly identify who sent it. After the e-Transfer is completed, your name will be added to the going list. All fees are non-refundable.

Visit our Facebook page Hockley Valley Hiking to see some of our previous adventures. Your image may appear on either Facebook or Meetup, please advise if you object to it being posted or it will be assumed that you’ve given full consent.

Arrive at the meeting location by 09:15hrs so that we can depart at 09:30hrs. Do not wait until the morning of the event to determine exactly where to meet. We will wait for an additional 5 minutes and then start the hike without you; we will not wait around indefinitely.

Before you RSVP, please note:

• Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
• We casually stroll along the route making frequent stops.
• Events are limited to about 25 hikers unless specified otherwise.
• For fun and adventure, sometimes we deviate from the original route.
• Do not attend this event if you are on the waitlist, you MUST have an RSVP.
• Please refrain from wearing heavily scented products such as perfume and cologne.
• New members must post a recognizable picture of yourself or you will not be allowed to attend.
• If you can no longer attend an event, immediately change your RSVP to 'Not going' to make room for others who are on the waitlist.
• If you selfishly take a hiking spot and then do not show up, you will be noted as a no-show.
• Your membership is subject to termination if you no-show for an event with a waitlist or after 3 incidents of no-show.

What to bring:

• Sunscreen and insect repellent.
• At least one litre of water and munchies to eat on the trail.
• Sturdy hiking shoes/boots, dress for the elements (in layers).
• Hiking poles for balance and stability, gaiters if you have them.
• Lots of enthusiasm, a very positive attitude and a camera/phone.

By attending this event all participants accept waiver of liability as follows:
I am responsible for my own safety and acknowledge the risk involved. I am participating voluntarily and the risks involved are beyond the control of event organizer and the group. Additionally, I do not have any conditions that will increase my likelihood of experiencing injuries while engaging in this activity.

The organizer reserves the right to remove any member who does not meet the group's requirements, or who exhibits behavior that is disrespectful or detrimental to the interests and safety of the group.

The trick to not getting separated from the group is to make sure the hiker ahead of you is always within sight.

Be respectful of the environment. Take out your garbage and your pictures with you, but leave everything else behind for others to enjoy.

Happy hiking!

Witness a unique assemblage of fens, marshes and swamps that support a network of sensitive flora and fauna, some of which are rare or endangered. This wetland of International Significance spans more than 600 ha (15,000 acres) and provides a variety of opportunities for a wilderness adventure. Explore the wetland on foot, ski or snowshoe via the Ganaraska, Trans Canada Rail or local trails. A four-meter high waterfowl viewing tower provides a bird’s eye view of an area that experiences flooding in the spring, attracting a myriad of waterfowl. Spot some of the many waterfowl species that call the area home as you make your way to the Nottawasaga River.
Minesing Wetlands

This is an exploratory hike and we will navigate the trail together. Expect detours, a few wrong turns, unforeseen trail closures, unintentional trail blazing and who knows what else. This will be another new adventure.

Membership Fee
Participating members are required to contribute an annual (January – December) fee of $8.00; you are allowed to bring one guest for free to each event. This is to help cover Meetup’s annual subscription fee.
New members are allowed to attend their first event for free before committing to an annual membership. The fee is non-refundable.
Do not pay in advance, fees are only required when you are on the waitlist.
Please e-Transfer to 'dierw@rogers.com' and be sure to put your name to clearly identify who sent it. When you RSVP for an event, your name will automatically be placed on the waitlist. Once the e-Transfer has been completed, your name will be moved to the going list.

This hike is rated intermediate, mostly flat and probably wet. It is about 12km long.

Membership Fee
Members must pay an annual fee of $8.00 for the period from January to December and are allowed to bring two guests to each event for free. This is to help cover Meetup’s annual subscription fee.
New members can attend their first event for free before opting for an annual membership.
Current members are required to submit their payment at the time of RSVP, rather than in advance. When they RSVP for an event, their names will be added to the waitlist automatically. Fees are applicable only when you are on the waitlist.
Please e-Transfer to dierw@rogers.com and be sure to put your name to clearly identify who sent it. After the e-Transfer is completed, your name will be added to the going list. All fees are non-refundable.

Visit our Facebook page Hockley Valley Hiking to see some of our previous adventures. Your image may appear on either Facebook or Meetup, please advise if you object to it being posted or it will be assumed that you’ve given full consent.

Arrive at the meeting location by 09:15hrs so that we can depart at 09:30hrs. Do not wait until the morning of the event to determine exactly where to meet. We will wait for an additional 5 minutes and then start the hike without you; we will not wait around indefinitely.

Before you RSVP, please note:

• Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
• We casually stroll along the route making frequent stops.
• Events are limited to about 25 hikers unless specified otherwise.
• For fun and adventure, sometimes we deviate from the original route.
• Do not attend this event if you are on the waitlist, you MUST have an RSVP.
• Please refrain from wearing heavily scented products such as perfume and cologne.
• New members must post a recognizable picture of yourself or you will not be allowed to attend.
• If you can no longer attend an event, immediately change your RSVP to 'Not going' to make room for others who are on the waitlist.
• If you selfishly take a hiking spot and then do not show up, you will be noted as a no-show.
• Your membership is subject to termination if you no-show for an event with a waitlist or after 3 incidents of no-show.

What to bring:

• Sunscreen and insect repellent.
• At least one litre of water and munchies to eat on the trail.
• Sturdy hiking shoes/boots, dress for the elements (in layers).
• Hiking poles for balance and stability, gaiters if you have them.
• Lots of enthusiasm, a very positive attitude and a camera/phone.

By attending this event all participants accept waiver of liability as follows:
I am responsible for my own safety and acknowledge the risk involved. I am participating voluntarily and the risks involved are beyond the control of event organizer and the group. Additionally, I do not have any conditions that will increase my likelihood of experiencing injuries while engaging in this activity.

The organizer reserves the right to remove any member who does not meet the group's requirements, or who exhibits behavior that is disrespectful or detrimental to the interests and safety of the group.

The trick to not getting separated from the group is to make sure the hiker ahead of you is always within sight.

Be respectful of the environment. Take out your garbage and your pictures with you, but leave everything else behind for others to enjoy.

Happy hiking!