Southern Ontario trails

[Anonymous]

(– by Moddz #7343 –)

As a resident of southern Ont. my trail options are very limited but not non existent. For years fellow enthusiast and I have enjoyed using a the trails in the 16 mile creek area between the old 4th line bridge and Lyons Valley park for off road driving. We always respected the environment and the fact that we share the trails with many other groups. I personally took it upon myself to take newcomers to the hobby through the trails too show them how to use them with as little impact as possible.
I took several years away from the hobby and have since acquired another  trail rig and was excited about returning to the hobby. I thought what better way to rekindle the passion then too start were I first enjoyed off roading. This was short lived as I returned too the point I was accessing the trail only to find it blocked off with signs saying "no motorized vehicles" but hikers & cyclists are welcome. We shared the trails with them for a long time and now it seems they will not share. This seems unfair knowing that it was the off road driving and horseback riders that originally made these trails. Is this not Crown Land ? Do I not have just as much right to enjoy the land as much as the rest of us?
If not there then were is one to find land  in which off road driving enthusiast can enjoy this hobby. I have found trails 4-5 hours north that allow this type of activity. That is fine for residents of these areas but not at all practical for southern Ontario residents. We are forced to take our chances with trespassing issues and other violations using questionable land.
I would like to first ask if access to this area can not be restored like in the past for so many and for so long clearly not harming or having any long lasting impact on the environment. If this is not an option can I ask why?
Second can I ask where we the off road driving enthusiast can go in southern Ontario? I will gladly put together another trail system if a more suitable spot is available in this area. If anyone knows any trails south of Toronto I would love to join you on them.

[Anonymous]

(– by hustler #5243 –)

16 Mile Creek is an important waterway, and a headwater to Lake Ontario. 4x4s tend to leak oil and suspend sediment in the water and that all washes downstream. Crown land or not the water is what's being protected – gas and oil can dilute 10 000:1 and still be detectable in a water test.

Additionally, that's in an urban area (Oakville) where there tend to be a lot of other less motorized trail users. Can you imagine the liability associated with driving there? Do you think you're insured if you're in there?

There are lots of trails south of Toronto, but they are in America.

[Anonymous]

(– by Moddz #7343 –)

I agree 100% with the impact on the water way. The trail that was there crossed the river as little as possible I think 2-3 times and where it did the water was very shallow and was a hard rock or river rock bottom. The horses that used the trail had a longer lasting impact using the water way more and damaging the soft edge more. But again I understand your concern. As for the insurance aspect I expect not to be covered any time I leave public roads and other than my own vehicle damage don't see many other risks. Like I said we where always polite to others we came across on the trail and did not use speeds that would endanger others.
I refuse to believe that there is no areas south of To and north of London that is not suitable for this hobby. I'm sure there is and being used to this day I just have to find them.

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