Friends of Seaton Trail

July 16, 2011 Work Party Photos

admin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:14:16 +0000

BTC Seaton Trail Hike – May 15th

admin — Sun, 15 May 2011 13:30:32 +0000

Introduction to the Seaton Trail to Bruce Trail Conservancy Memebers.
The trail follows West Duffins Creek that winds through a riparian habitat, all within Pickering, Ontario. Hikers will witness how the stream cut down through the glacial till left during the last glacial period over ten thousand years ago. It is a spectacular trail in every season.

Length: 13 km, Pace: 4 km/h, Terrain: Hilly
Dropout, Refreshments after.
Depart 9:30 am, York Mills.
Fred Berktin, 416 520 3797 905 789 3717
Brandon Fahy, (416) 903-7572 before 9:00pm

Toronto Outdoor Club Winter Night Hike – Wed, Jan 26 2011

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:54:30 +0000

We’re going to walk the first section of the Seaton Hiking Trail starting from south end parking lot (Coordinates: N43.86403 W79.09846). Depending on the condition, we may bring snowshoes. But usually boots with gaiters and icers would be adequate. This 9km night hike will approximately take us 2 to 3 hours to finish depending on the group dynamic. Meet at the trail head for a 7:00 PM departure or at the car pool for a 6:30 PM departure.
More Information

“No Motorized Vehicles” Signs and Fence Installed Along Trail

admin — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:10:29 +0000

Unauthorized use of motorized vehicles is strictly prohibited

The Seaton Trail is being damaged by motorcycles and ATV’s. This issue is most prominent along Section 1 (Concession # 3 to Clarke’s Hollow) and Section 3 near the 407 bridge and gravel pit. The Friends of Seaton Trail volunteered to put up “Unauthorized use of motorized vehicles is strictly prohibited” signs along these sections of trail. Section 1 signage was installed on October 17, 2010.

The Friends also recommended to the TRCA and DEL that a fence be added to the top of the railway tracks hill.

Install Un-Authorized Use Signs On Sunday Oct 17, 2010

admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:42:45 +0000

Extensive erosion caused by use of dirt bike and ATVs on the trail.

Here’s your chance to give back to the Seaton Trail.

We are planning some trail work on Sunday Oct 17, 2010 and we are looking for volunteers. We will be meeting at Rossland Road Trail head parking lot at 8:30 AM. The activity will take about 3 hours.

The issue is the un-authorized use of dirt bike and ATV’s on the trail. This activity has caused extensive erosion in certain areas.

The Friends have discussed this issue with the land owner and managers of the Seaton Trail properties. The land managers (TRCA and DEL) have provided the poles, hardware and signs.

Our task is to install these un-authorized use of motorized vehicles signs on steel poles at various locations along section 1 of the trail. The poles are fairly heavy and we need 1 person per pole to carry them in. We have around 10 pole locations identified in section 1. We also need a few more bodies to carry the signs, tools and pole pounder.

Step 1: Place signs on trees (where available)

Step 2: Move signs to the steel poles

Step 1 was to put up the signs on trees (where available). You might have seen some of these in section 1 of the trail.

Step 2 is to move some of these signs to the steel poles. The poles will be positioned in clear view of these un-authorized use areas.

Step 3 will be to get users to report issues via the Friends website. From these reports we can follow up with the Pickering by-law officer on enforcement actions to educate and eventually stop this trail damage.

Please let us know if you can help out.

FOST Hike Sunday October 17th

admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 13:30:34 +0000

Meet at Forestream Trail at 9:15. Walk north to Whitevale for 4 km, easy pace. Stop and have something to eat and drink, than back to Forestream Trail. Total 8 km approximately 2½ hours.

ORTA Hike Wednesday October 13

admin — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:30:01 +0000

Wed. Oct. 13, 9:30am. Seaton Hiking Trail
16+ km. 4+ hrs, moderate-fast T&B, hilly. Meet in the village of Whitevale at the park on the west side of the river south off Whitevale Rd.
Joan Taylor 905 477 2161.

Interpretive Signs

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:46:46 +0000

The Toronto and Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA) has asked for ideas on potential locations along the Seaton Trail where interpretive signage could serve to educate trail users. These signs could include information on natural processes (floral and/or fauna), cultural points of interest, geology, etc.

Do you have any ideas? Or maybe you would be interested in contributing content to a sign(s)?

Here are the ideas that the Friends of Seaton Trail have come up with so far.

Boy Scouts located at Camp Pidaca
CPR trestle (still in use) and other railroad crossing long removed (only concrete pads remain). The Canadian Northern Railway established a new line to provide passenger service between Toronto and Trenton in the early 1900’s. I have document history based on Heber Down management plan.
One of the hill tops some where in section 1. Talk about how the river valley was formed, erosion , sand /clay structure, etc.
Old Whites Road bridge
Old farm hose foundation just south of old Whites Road
Whitevale Mill
Dam
Gravel Pit
Mushroom Forest north of gravel pit
Poison Ivy, Dog wood plant, etc.

Please send your ideas and details to for inclusion into the list.

Trailhead Kiosk Signs ETA: End of September

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:03:44 +0000

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has completed building the kiosk structures for all primary trailheads (Green River, Whitevale, Forestream, and Grand Valley). The final design for the trailhead signs has been approved, sent to be printed and should be posted at each kiosk by the end of September

30 Meter Re-Route Near Forestream Trail Completed

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:52:23 +0000

The Friends successfully completed the opening of a new 30 meter section of trail and closing of the existing trail near Forestream Trail.

It took about 3 hours to complete the task. The volunteers met at the Forestream Trail parking lot shortly after 2 pm and hiked the tools down to the site of IS028. The task was to bench cut a new 30 meter section of the trail and close the existing trail. The existing trail was being undercut by the creek by natural erosion forces. The new section cuts though a cedar clump of trees on a small hillside. The main activity required a bench cut on the slope ground to provide a trail thread. Digging in roots is always hard work.

Second part of the activity required the closing of the existing trail and Monika completed most of this work.

The trail markers are in place and the section is ready for use.

Thanks for all the hard work of our volunteers;

Monika Rothman
Lynne Bussey
Gary White
Mark Linford
Victor