- by Dave Moule

Hikers! I know that most of you are nice, considerate people, but there are a few among you who either cannot read signs, or else you read them and then deliberately ignore them. I'm speaking in particular about signs that designate certain trails for specific uses. In the Caledon Hills section, I maintain a network of cross-country ski trails, which are complementary to the Bruce Trail and its official side trails. Hikers and snow-shoers are still permitted to walk on the Bruce Trail and the Hockleycrest Side Trail, but they are asked to walk along the edge to avoid the area groomed for skiing. In addition to the main BT and the Hockleycrest Side Trail, there are 18 other trails that are designated for skiing only. All of them are well marked with signs indicating that they are for skiing only: walking and snowshoeing are not allowed.
I've just come in from skiing on my ski trails, on my property, and guess what I found? Hikers' footprints right on top of the groomed ski track on the Hockleycrest Side Trail, and more hikers footprints on a ski-only trail. This morning, I spent 2 1/2 hours on a grooming machine, trying to prepare perfectly packed and track-set ski trails for myself and my fellow skiers. And then I find them destroyed by inconsiderate hikers.
If YOU are on the Bruce Trail and see signs designating certain trails for certain purposes, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, OBEY THEM. The Landowner, whose permission is absolutely critical to the existence of the Bruce Trail, will appreciate it.