Hastings County High Point
Posted by Derek on Aug 18, 2010
Height: 1778 feet / 542 meters
GPS recorded height: 1765 feet / 538 meters
Lat/Lon: N45 14.440 W78 07.695
Date Summited: July 11, 2010
Directions / Trip Summary:
Hastings County High Point lies just outside the southeastern edge of Algonquin Park. There are many ATV trails along the route, which starts from the end of the maintained section of Mink Lake Road.
From Bancroft, take Highway 127 north to Lake St. Peter for 34.9 km and turn left (west) onto Mink Lake Road. Follow Mink Lake Road for 11.3 km until reaching a snowplow turnaround area which is a good place to park.
The road beyond this point is rougher and the right turn off onto an ATV trail is only 550 meters ahead. 600 meters from Mink Lake Road, the trail skirts the northeast shore of a small lake, crossing a basic bridge near a beaver dam. The trail runs along the north shore of the lake and becomes more overgrown. 600 meters past the beaver dam, a barely noticeable trail branches to the left which crosses a creek. There are signs of a washed out log bridge here. (If you miss the trail over the creek, the trail swings north and becomes more and more overgrown. Bikers will be able to easily bike in from Mink Lake Road up to this point.)
The trail follows the left shore of the creek but quickly crosses back over to the right side. Barely 300 meters past the first creek crossing, the trail forks. Stay to the right and avoid the washed out bridge crossing to the left.
About 500 meters later, the trail reaches an open area, but the trail keeps right along the edge of the open area, avoiding a small pond directly to the west. Follow the trail for another 250 meters to the bushwhack point. (At this point the trail is not obvious and the forest is fairly easy to pass through, so even though the area is a maze of ATV trails, I found it easiest to bushwhack the last 1 km to the summit).
The bushwhack is through mixed / deciduous forest with open undergrowth, which shouldn’t be a problem for most hikers. There is an ATV trail within 100 meters of the summit, but it’s not obvious where it heads out to. It might provide an alternative route to the peak, avoiding the bushwhack. The summit area is broad, a raised hunting blind is near the highest point.
Muskoka High Point
Posted by Derek on Jul 20, 2010
Height: 1778 feet / 542 meters
GPS recorded height: 1811 feet / 552 meters
Lat/Lon: N45.5075 W78.9351
Date Summited: July 10, 2010
Directions / Trip Summary:
Take Highway 60 east from Huntsville for 12.5 km and turn left onto Limberlost Road. You can take Tally Ho Winter Park Road instead if you miss the intersection like I did to get to Limberlost. Follow Limberlost Road northeast for 18.6 km and turn left onto Tasso Lake Road. Follow Tasso Lake Road north for 2.8 km. The road curves to the east around the north end of Tasso Lake. Just past the dam, you will reach an ATV trail branching to the north. The shoulder of Tasso Lake Road just west of the ATV trail is a good place to park non-ATV vehicles. Note: Some maps indicate Tasso Lake Road branching to the left, 1.8 km past the intersection with Limberlost, however either I wasn’t paying attention or it’s not there, as I don’t recall seeing it.
The ATV trail is easy to follow, but would be too rough for cars to follow. As I was exploring the trails in the area, I decided to bike from Tasso Lake Road to the start of the bushwhack. 1.5 km from Tasso Lake Road, you will depart the main ATV trail and turn left onto a more overgrown ATV path. There are some rough patches as the trail descends towards a creek, crosses it and ascends the other side. About 1.1 km from the left turn (2.6 km from Tasso Lake road), the ATV trail passes by an open area, which I figured was the closest approach to the Muskoka High Point.
Crossing the open area, the bushwhack north begins in a mixed forest with sparse underbrush. After ascending moderately for a couple hundred meters, you will reach the bottom of a steep rise. I didn’t find a notch to ease the ascent, so I climbed straight up it. After scrambling up the rocky cliffs, over fallen trees and gaining the top of the bluff, the trail flattens out. I stopped at the cliff edge and enjoyed the limited views south through the trees. From here it, the bushwhack continues for 0.5 km, ascending moderately through thin underbrush north to the summit area.
As the summit area is fairly flat, there was no obvious high point. A rock I figured to be an erratic was a candidate the for high point, but I concluded that a small rise forming a lip against the north edge of the summit looked higher. A fallen tree marks the spot.
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Cup and Saucer
Posted by Derek on Jul 17, 2010
Cup and Saucer / Manitoulin High Point
GPS recorded height: 1171 feet / 357 meters
Lat/Lon: N45.85029 W82.10570
Date Summited: July 19, 2009
Directions:
The Cup and Saucer is the highest point on Manitoulin Island. There are 2 ways to get to Manitoulin Island. From Sudbury, take Highway 17 west and turn south onto Highway 6 through Espanola. Continue on Highway 6 for 52 km and cross the swing bridge into Little Current, at which time you will turn right onto 540. Continue on 540 for 23 km and turn left onto Bidwell Road. The parking lot for the Cup and Saucer trail is a short distance (600 meters) on the right.
The other way to get to Manitoulin Island is via the Ferry from Tobermory, which lies at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. Once arriving on Manitoulin Island at South Baymouth, take 6 north for 12.4 km until reaching the left turn onto 542. Proceed on 542 for 23.7 km to Mindemoya and turn right onto onto 551 for 11.6 km to West Bay. At West Bay, turn right onto 540 and continue north for 6.5 km at which time Bidwell Road and the parking for the Cup and Saucer Trail will appear on the right.
There are 2 main trails as well as a couple of side ‘adventure’ trails for the Cup and Saucer. The white and blue trails form a 9.9 km loop around the Cup and Saucer formation. The most direct route from the parking lot to the Manitoulin High Point is to take the more scenic white trail up the Cup and Saucer. Shortly past the steep climb up to the East Lookout, a side trail branches to the right and it is a very short walk to the high point. Signs point the way. A small concrete footing marks the Cup and Saucer high point.
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Peak 546
Posted by Derek on Jul 16, 2010
Height: 1791 feet / 546 meters
GPS recorded height: 1822 feet / 555 meters
Lat/Lon: N45.59546 W78.99214
Date Summited: July 10, 2010
Directions / Trip Summary:
Take Highway 11 north from Huntsville for 20 km and take exit 244 onto Fern Glen Rd towards Emsdale. After 2.7 km, turn right onto 518 and travel 8.2 km to Kearney. In Kearney, turn right onto Rain Lake Road. Follow Rain Lake Road east, which soon becomes a dirt road for 24 km. The road passes by some recently blasted rock piles and makes a 90 degree turn shortly (1.3 km) before coming to a smaller gravel road which is used by ATVs.
Even though the ATV road was in good condition, I opted to park at the intersection and continue on foot. About 1.4 km from the road, a clearing emerges on the left, connecting a rougher logging road which heads southwest. Take this road for 650 meters. At this point, you can begin bushwhack west for 500 meters. The forest in this area is open with very light underbrush. On my way in, I stayed on the road, which eventually loops south and passes just west of the summit, however the more direct route is to bushwhack.
The summit is a fairly flat area with 2 small ridges competing for the highest ground. The area immediately between 2 medium sized boulders appeared to be the highest spot. Trees obscure any possible views.
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Wolf Lake Mountain
Posted by Derek on Jun 13, 2010
Wolf Lake Mt. just visible on the right through the trees
Height: 1654 feet / 504 meters
GPS recorded height: 1650 feet / 503 meters
Lat/Lon: N46 51.759 W80 39.669
Date Summited: May 22, 2010
Overview:
Wolf Lake Mountain is located just outside the boundaries of the world’s largest old-growth red pine forest; the Wolf Lake forest reserve. Named after the lake it stands over, Wolf Lake Mountain is the highest point within the boundaries of the City of Greater Sudbury. The area, commonly referred to as Chiniguichi, is a relatively popular canoeing destination with it’s clear acidified lakes, old growth pine forests and aboriginal pictographs. Read the rest of this entry »
Ishpatina Ridge (North Peak)
Posted by Derek on May 25, 2010
View to North Ishpatina summit
Rank: 3
Height: 2221 feet / 677 m
GPS recorded height: 2247 feet / 685 m
Lat/Lon: N47 19.977, W80 44.014
Line Parent: Ishpatina Ridge (Tower Summit)
Key Col: N47 19.742 W80 44.593 (1640 ft / 500 m)
Clean Prominence: 581ft / 177m
Date Summited: May 1st, 2010
Overview:
The Ishpatina Ridge traverses several rounded humps and under the Ontario 2100 Footer criteria, 3 of these qualify as being distinct 2100+ foot peaks. The familiar Fire Tower summit of the Ishpatina Ridge is the highest point in Ontario and a popular destination. It is reachable via a trail from Scarecrow Lake. The North Peak as seen from the Fire Tower summit appears to be just as high if not higher, but according to Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario Base Maps (OBM) series, it is 43 feet lower. There is no trail to the North Peak of the Ishpatina Ridge and several approaches are hindered by cliffs surrounding the peak.
Ishpatina Ridge (South Peak)
Posted by Derek on Jan 12, 2010
View of The South Peak of Ishpatina from the Tower Peak
Height: 2188 feet / 667 m
GPS recorded height: 2198 feet / 670 m
Lat/Lon: N47 18.389 W80 45.906
Line Parent: Ishpatina Ridge (Tower Summit)
Key Col: N47 18.704 W80 45.312 (1952ft / 595m)
Clean Prominence: 236ft / 72m
Date Summited: August 1, 2010
Overview:
The Ishpatina Ridge traverses several rounded bumps and under the Ontario 2100 Footer criteria, 3 of these qualify as being distinct 2100+ foot peaks. The highest point, the familiar Tower summit of the Ishpatina Ridge is the highest point in Ontario and a popular hiking and canoeing destination. The South Peak, the lowest of the 3 peaks, ranks as Ontario’s 5th highest point. Despite being only a short bushwhack from the trail leading from Scarecrow Lake to the Ishpatina Ridge Tower summit, the South Peak remains relatively unexplored. A small lake at the summit is crowned by several candidate high points. OBM map spot elevations indicate that the southwestern-most point is the highest.
Directions:
Due to it’s close proximity to the Ishpatina Ridge Trail, the best approach to the South Peak is to hike to it in conjunction with a trip to the main Tower Peak via an overland trip or canoe trip. From the trailhead on Scarecrow Lake, follow the Ishpatina Ridge Trail for 2.4 km to the height of land just before reaching Dick Lake. At this point, bushwhack almost due west for 1.1 km and stay to the left of the lake at the South Peak summit. A height of land in an open area at N47.3065, W80.7651 most likely marks the highest point on the South Peak, however a secondary point at N47.3088, W80.7612 is also a potential candidate that may require further investigation.
It may be desirable to visit both candidate high points on the South Peak to ensure reaching the very highest point. Circumnavigate around the lake and head to the second high point candidate which lies 400 meters northeast of the first point.. Head back to the Dick Lake area by proceeding east for 900 meters and rejoin the Ishpatina Ridge Trail. Read the rest of this entry »
Sleeping Giant
Posted by Derek on Sep 6, 2009
Sleeping Giant seen from Thunder Bay
Height: 1847 feet / 563 m
Prominence: 1247 feet / 380 m
Lat/Lon: N48 21.032 W88 53.910
Date Summited: August 24, 2009 (Only reached the highest point on the trail)
Overview:
The Sleeping Giant is a formation of mesas and sills on Sibley Peninsula which resembles a giant lying on its back when viewed from the West to North-Northwest section of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. When measured from the elevation at Lake Superior (600 feet) to the highest point (1847 feet), The Sleeping Giant has the highest vertical rise in Ontario (1247 feet). The most popular destination on the Sleeping Giant is the Chimney Lookout on the Knees which overlooks Lake Superior and spectacular rock formations. The highest point is on the Chest and it is 600 m away from the Chest Trail which leads to the Nanabosho Lookout. The highest point along the trail system is along this trail, just a 100 m from the lookout.
Carson Creek Peak
Posted by Derek on Sep 3, 2009
Aldina fire tower atop Carson Creek Peak from the Boreal Road
Rank: 4
Height: 2198 feet / 670 m
GPS recorded height: 2217 feet / 675 m
Lat/Lon: N48 21.283 W90 00.793
Line Parent: Tower Mountain
Key Col: N48 20.675 W90 01.146 (1969ft / 600m)
Clean Prominence: 229ft / 70m
Date Summited: August 20, 2009
Overview:
Carson Creek Peak is the name given by Brian Back of OtterTooth.com to the fourth highest summit in Ontario. The peak is the second highest point atop a ridge which runs northeast from beyond Tower Mt. and the summit is marked by the Aldina fire tower. Carson Creek Peak is the highest road accessed peak in Ontario.
Tower Mountain
Posted by Derek on Sep 2, 2009
Tower Mt as seen from the road to Head Lake Peak East
Rank: 2
Height: 2228 feet / 679 m
GPS recorded height: 2260 feet / 689 m
Lat/Lon: N48 18.444 W90 05.667
Line Parent: Ishpatina Ridge (Tower Summit)
Key Col: N49 35.298 W85 41.667 (997ft / 299m)
Clean Prominence: 1247ft / 380m
Date Summited: August 21, 2009
Overview:
Taken from www.peakbagger.com:
Tower Mountain is the second highest peak in Ontario. The peak is part of the range of hills on the northwest shore of Lake Superior, not far from the city of Thunder Bay.
The name “Tower Mountain” is relatively new. For many years this summit was just known as a unnamed spot elevation in the “Thunder Bay Hills”. But the recent Ontario Base Map (1:20,000) published by the MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) clearly labels the summit with its name and elevation. Ironically, the MNR seems to have forgotten that a tower was ever constructed here.
The peak is a broad, flat-topped ridge, with steep slopes and cliffs surrounding the central plateau. The summit is a very broad flat area, and it is marked by clearings with lots of debris from an old tower. You can see the tower footings, the wreckage of the wooden observation box, old cables, and electrical junk lying around. A rise to the north of the tower area may be the actual highpoint, but it’s hard to tell. There are no views, but if you bushwhack to the west for a tenth of a mile you will come to the top of the cliffs, where a nice vista of clear-cut forests extends for miles.
