Hiking Etiquette

Hiking in a Group

A few simple rules make it much easier to hike with a group.

Stick together. Keep the person in front of you in sight, and watch for the people behind you. If you cannot see the people behind you, yell forward for the group to stop.
Try not to dawdle. A group can move no faster than the slowest member. The hike leader has planned a hiking route. There is a certain amount of time available to hike. If someone really pokes along, it messes things up for everyone.
Don't hike on ahead of the hike leader. The group cannot go any faster then the slowest person in the group (see above). The hike leader may be capable of hiking fast, but they have to slow down to keep the group together. When we spread out, people get separated and lost.
If you have to make a stop in the woods, leave your pack on the trail. This tells the people behind you that someone is stopped. We don't want to lose you.

If you want to stop and take pictures, try to work your way to the front of the group. This gives you time for some Kodak moments. When the sweep shows up, please get moving.

Car Pooling

This email came up after one of our hikes...

Is there any way you can put out an email to all our members asking them not to wear perfume etc. if they're going to be sharing a vehicle? I had someone in my carpool on Sat. who was soaked in it, and I'm still trying to get the smell out of my upholstery etc. :-(

It also attracts bugs while hiking! Lol

Some Other Hiking Rules

Ask permission before touching or petting other people's animals. You don't want to scare or spook dogs, horses or any other critter someone may be hiking with.

Do not bring pets on High Park Hiking Club hikes. We do not know how your dog will behave around new people.

On any road with cars on it, hike on the side facing traffic.

Trail User's Code

Large sections of the Bruce Trail, as well as the Oakridges Moraine and Ganaraska trail run on private property. The owners generously allow everyone on. Much of the remaining trail runs through Ontario parks.

This is what the Bruce Trail Guide says...

Hike only along marked routes, especially on farmland - do not take shortcuts.
Do not climb fences - use stiles.
Respect the privacy of people living along the Trail.
Leave the Trail cleaner than you found it - carry out all litter.
Leave flowers and plants for others to enjoy.
Do not damage live trees or strip off bark.
Keep dogs on a leash, especially on or near farmland.
Protect and do not disturb wildlife.
Leave only your thanks and take nothing but photographs.