Overview

The most important duty of the Caledon Hills Club is to maintain the Trail (that is the Main Trail and our Side Trails) in the best condition possible, and this is an on-going task. If you look at the Bruce Trail Association mandate .....that's our commitment.
We have a group of volunteers, who are known as trail captains, who are each assigned a short section of the Trail to monitor on a fairly regular basis, do some very simple clearing of brush, weeds, blaze maintenance, structures inspection and general clean-up and twice yearly make a written report to the Trail Captain Coordinator, about the condition of their section; any major problems on their section are reported ....to be looked after by the Trail Director. While we pick up most of the trail problems this way, it is not infallible, in that a tree-fall, for example, can occur one day after the Trail has been inspected! If you see a problem on the trail, it is in all of our best interests, to report it to our Trail Director. Of course, we do need to know a reasonable proximity of the problem.

And how do we correct these problems? Well, we have a small group of trail maintenance volunteers, who go out on work parties. We also get involved in erosion control. Some of this is caused by trail usage (not so much caused by hikers), but also weather conditions contribute. Not only are we sensitive to erosion in an environmental aspect, but we want to have a safe treadway ...and that takes work too. Also, some areas of the Trail are quite steep, which means the installation and maintenance of steps.
That's maintenance, but we also get involved in the trail development ...when we get the opportunity to re-route a section of our Trail off the road, that invariably requires some trailwork to be done, again under the direction of our Trail Director with a work party.

Why not volunteer?

So that's what it is all about ...maintaining and developing the Trail for hikers and walkers alike. ...... BUT, unfortunately, there are so many people use the Trail and so very few people involved in maintenance of the treadway! Trail maintenance and development is not a science! ...as former Trail Director, Jim Swalwell points out ..."we aren't building a piano!" ...it is very simple work! .....no experience required! ...just enthusiasm! The club already has the tools to do this work ...all it needs is for people to come out and volunteer! It surely is not chain-gang work, in fact, it can be a very social occasion just like a day out hiking! You can come out even for an hour or so .....and at the same time have some fun ...and help maintain our Trail!

Soon, on this page, you will see pictures from various work parties ....note, you do not see blood, sweat and tears, (well maybe a little sweat ....it was warm that day!) and maybe the occasional smile ....satisfaction from a job well done!

If you would like to come out and see what trail maintenance is all about, or if you would maybe like to be a guardian of the Trail as a Trail Captain please contact our Trail Director. Contacting the Trail Director can be made through our webmaster and we hope to see you on the Trail ....not only walking on the Trail, but helping maintain the treadway.