From Pinegrove Road the trail goes continually downhill for almost 5 kilometres. It
was not so obvious on my northward ride, but very apparent on my return trip. The
grade is not steep, rail lines never are, but you do have to work a little harder going
uphill. This section passes the Minesing Swamp, though the trail is on an escarpment
so you look out across it rather than travel right beside it.
The trail crosses Highway 26 where there is a pavilion and parking lot. A little further north there
are two farm gates, but you are allowed to open them to pass through. Be sure to close them
when you are done. The chains are a little tricky and it takes a bit of fiddling to undo them.
A
bit further again and the
trail surface deteriorates.
It is no longer a uniform
granular surface and
is more typically two
tracks, like those left by
automobiles. However I
had no problem riding
these surfaces on my
touring bike, though my
speed was a little slower.
Horseshoe Valley Road is
the end of the developed
part of the trail with gates
and interpretive signs.
Workmen were planting
trees, a sign of continuing
trail development, and I asked them how far I could continue. They said I could go to
Penetanguishene if I wanted, but the surface is rougher past Elmvale.
I continued my ride and the surface was just as good as it had been for the previous 5 km. There
were neither signs nor gates to discourage ATVs and trail bikes, and I saw one of each. There
was even a minivan with a couple who appeared to be looking to pick berries. The minivan did
not bother me but I sure do loath the noisy, smelly and speedy terrain vehicles.
Five kilometres further north is the community of Phelpston, which has a general store, a park,
and strip club. For half that distance I rode on Phelpston road, which is right beside the trail. This
section of trail looked rough, the road was paved and had no traffic, so I used the opportunity to
travel at 25 kph rather than the 17 to 20 I had been doing. I generally like riding on granular
surfaces but there is no question that rolling resistance is greater than on pavement, and you have
to be a bit more cautious in case of bumps, fallen branches and wildlife.
I rode a couple of kilometres past Phelpston until my
odometer told me I had cycled 20 km. The surface continued
to be quite good and the scenery was very pleasant. I
presume things would remain that way the remaining distance
to Elmvale, about 5 km. There is however a detour between
the 7th and 8th concession onto the municipal road, as the
abandoned rail line has been sold off to private landowners.
Similarly, at the 10th concession one must detour to Hwy 27
for a very short distance, and pick up the trail again at the
intersection with County Road 6 and Hwy 27.
Along the 14 km of trail south of Horseshoe Valley Road, each road crossing has a gate along
with a sign that tells the permitted uses. Motorized vehicles are prohibited (except snowmobiles in
winter), walking, cycling, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and nature observation are
permitted. Rollerblading would not be practicable because the surface is not paved. I am told by
the trail organizers that horseback riding will be permitted as soon as the gates are widened, and
the horses will use a separate bridle path beside the main pathway. The gate openings are
presently very narrow and it is awkward to manoeuver a bicycle through, so the wider gates will
benefit cyclists as well.
Interpretive
signs have been erected at select locations. There
is a parking lot at Highway 26 along with a trail pavilion and
picnic tables. I believe there is also an outhouse here, but
there are no toilets elsewhere along the trail, nor drinking
water anywhere. Refreshments can be bought at the general
store in Phelpston.
Trail head signs with maps are installed at Pinegrove Road,
Hwy 26 and Anten Mills (Horseshoe Valley Road..
The railway and their successors spelled Minesing incorrectly and shortened Penetanguishene to
"Penetang" so it would better fit on the station sign and in timetables. Minesing station was
demolished in 1963.
You can also drive west on Highway 26 from Barrie, and park in the trail lot. From here you can
take the trail either south or north. The section to the south has a longer developed trail, with the
stonedust surface, but it is only about 6 km to the end which many cyclists find too short.
Your third option is to find the trail from one of the roads that cross it. You will need good maps.
There are many other amenities within a short drive from the trail, including Wasaga Beach.
Tourist information can be obtained at http://www.county.simcoe.on.ca/
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