About the Forgotten Trails Association
The Forgotten Trails Association creates, maintains and promotes safe and ecologically sustainable trails of natural or historical significance in the South River area. The four-season, backcountry trails are managed by volunteers for the purpose of non-motorized recreational trail activities including hiking, cycling and backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.
Discover the Trails
Moose Mountain Trail
Laurier Tower Trail
Loxton Beaver Loop
One-a-Day Trail
Tom Thomson Portage Trail
Old Nipissing Ghost Road (Trans Canada Trail)
Volunteer with Us
Whether you love getting your hands dirty on the trail, organizing community events, or helping guide the future of our organization – there’s a place for you. We’re a volunteer-driven group, and none of what we do would be possible without people showing up and making it happen! Here are four ways you can help:
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- Join the Board – We’re always looking for dedicated folks to join our board. As a board member, you’ll help shape the direction of the association, make decisions that impact our trails and community, and work alongside a group of people who genuinely care about getting outside.
- Build & Maintain Trails – Our trail build days are some of the most rewarding (and fun) ways to give back. Whether you’re swinging a Pulaski for the first time or you’re a seasoned trail crew veteran, all skill levels are welcome.
- Become a Trail Steward – Each trail in our network has a dedicated “Trail Steward” who is responsible for hiking the trail and noting any maintenance concerns.
- Help at Events – From try-it events to gear swaps, our events are what bring the trail community together. We need volunteers to help with everything from registration tables to setting up and breaking down. It’s a great way to get involved without a big time commitment.
Ready to get involved? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us for details or visit our Facebook group page.
Meet Trail Champion and Tower Trail Steward: Rick Jeffery |
 Why do you volunteer with the Forgotten Trails?
“I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and its nice to have places to get out and and see the surroundings. After working all the years I did in Toronto coming back up here to live [South River area] it was something I wanted my kids to appreciate.”
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Rick is a longtime volunteer with the Forgotten Trails Association in the area around South River, one of few volunteers still involved until recently. In fact, the Forgotten Trails have faced many of the same challenges typical of volunteer trail organizations – volunteer burnout, frustration over the inability to restrict off-road vehicle access to environmentally sensitive areas and escalating insurance costs.
By 2019, many of the once thriving trails had become overgrown and once again forgotten in time – almost. Rick, steadfast in his desire to keep the trail network available for others to enjoy, never leaves home without his clippers. As appointed trail steward of the Laurier Tower Trail, Rick continues to hike the trail a few times a year in every season equipped with his clippers and ready to trim back brush and undergrowth that grows up along the trail. The Forgotten Trails have a new burst of energy and enthusiasm. Participation in outdoor activities is at an all-time high and a new generation of caring people have relocated to the area to escape the city. Holding firm to the original mission to create, maintain and promote non-motorized, ecologically sustainable trails, a small and growing group of volunteers are working to revitalize the organization and its beloved hiking trails. Find Forgotten Trails on Facebook as the organization grows again. Rick is ready with his enthusiasm and of course, his clippers! |
Contact Forgotten Trails Association
Keep in touch on Facebook @forgottentrails and Instagram. Or email forgottentrails@gmail.com.
