Salmon Burn Trail (Bobcaygeon)

Story by Brian Sibbles, photos by Jacqueline Wettlaufer

The OF4WD has spent a lot of effort over the past year to develop relationships with other trail users to work toward providing a safe and reliable trail system for future generations.

In late January 2012 the OF4WD was made aware of a short trail known as the Salmon Burn Trail that connects the north end of Crystal Lake trail and the Gooderham trail in Bobcaygeon.  OF4WD VP Brian Sibbles and Information Officer Kim LeRoy  took the opportunity to explore this trail while on a snowmobile ride in Bobcaygeon . The trail, named for the forest fire that wiped out the area about 20 years ago, was becoming over grown and tight even for a small sled.  After returning from the trail and speaking with the Twin Mountain Snowmobile club (TMSC) and Kawartha ATV association (KATVA) the OF4WD quickly learned that grooming the trail in the winter months was almost impossible and that the over grown trail was becoming dangerous for ATVs and sleds alike as corners were becoming blind and passing one another was tight.

The trail user groups discussed hiring someone to cut back the trail however the quotes were quite high.  With the new addition of the OF4WD maintenance trailer the OF4WD offered to head up a volunteer expedition to cut back the trail as we all know how much we 4X4 people love to play with their winches and chainsaws.  TMSC club rented a wood chipper for the volunteers to use with the idea of chipping up the brush and placing it back on the trail to enhance the trails’ appearance.

On June 30th 2012 volunteers congregated at the local Tim Hortons where they were briefed on the job at hand.  The briefing included safety talks about the use of chain saws and chippers as well as designating the operators and safety people in each crew.

With approximately 25 volunteers we headed north of Bobcaygeon where we would soon be stopped by a break down.  It wasn’t one the trucks, it was the chipper.  The side wall of the left tire blew right out with a loud bang only Chris Tillaart’s driving skill kept his CJ8 from going into the ditch.  Calls were made and the snowmobile club was not impressed - the rental company was told to fix the tire before rental day.  They didn’t!  Not being able to get a tire we abandoned the chipper and kept on motoring to the cut site.

Meeting up with 6 TMSC members the chain saws started at about 10:30am. Volunteers started clearing the trail to a 5 metre width, making it safe for users once again.  Lunch was provided on the trail where the volunteers relaxed and had a chance to speak to one another as people came from all over southern Ontario to help out.  The day came to close with the last cut around 3:30pm and the volunteers gathered for a group shot and de-brief on how the day went.  Everyone was tired and hot but despite this feeling everyone was happy to have lent a hand to improve this 8km trail. Back at camp around 9:30pm the members had a chance to enjoy a Canada day celebration of fireworks put on by the town of Bobcaygeon followed by a bon fire. 

The following days were fun runs in the five points where wheelers from novice to extreme had a chance to enjoy the trails in which many of them have had a part in maintaining.  All in all a great weekend of fun, comradery and adventure.  The members now have another trail added to the map with better access to neighbouring trails and new terrain to explore along the Salmon Burn Trail.