Tower Mountain – Revisited
Posted by Derek on Jan 8, 2017
Tower Mt as seen from the road to Head Lake Peak East
Height: 2228 feet / 679 m
GPS recorded height: 2260 feet / 689 m
Lat/Lon: N48 18.448 W90 05.674
Line Parent: Ishpatina Ridge (Tower Summit)
Key Col: N49 35.298 W85 41.667 (997ft / 299m)
Clean Prominence: 1247ft / 380m
Date Summited: July 28, 2016
Overview:
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, 45 kilometers west from 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 flat-topped ridge, with steep slopes and cliffs surrounding the central plateau. The summit is a very broad flat area with lots of clearings and 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. There are no views at the summit, but if you make your way west for 150 meters you will come to the top of the cliffs where you’ll be able to get a nice vista of the surrounding area.
Carson Creek Peak – Revisited
Posted by Derek on Dec 13, 2016
Aldina fire tower atop Carson Creek Peak from the Boreal Road
Height: 2198 feet / 670 m
GPS recorded height: 2264 feet / 690 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: July 27, 2016
Overview:
Carson Creek Peak is the fourth highest summit in Ontario. The peak is the second highest point along a ridge which runs northeast from Tower Mt. The Aldina fire tower still stands at the summit. Carson Creek Peak is the highest offroad accessed peak in Ontario.
Kenora District High Point
Posted by Derek on Oct 30, 2016
Kenora District HP
GPS recorded height: 1860 feet / 567 meters
Lat/Lon: N49 07.165 W91 17.625
Date Summited: July 26, 2016
Overview:
The title of Kenora District High Point is shared between 2 high point candidate areas who’s elevations lie within the margin of Ontario Base Map measurement accuracy. The High Points form part of the highlands located near the head waters of the Turtle and English Rivers about 27 km southwest of the small community of English River on Hwy 17. Fishing is the dominant recreational activity in the area and access to the lakes is provided by the numerous bush trails and logging roads (active logging operations active). There are no views at the High Points, but the route passes many photogenic lakes along the way.
Mount McKay
Posted by Derek on Oct 22, 2016
Height: 1585 feet / 483 meters
GPS recorded height: 1594 feet / 486 meters
Lat/Lon: N48 20.678 W89 17.183
Date Summited: July 25, 2016
Overview:
Mount McKay is the northernmost peak in a range known as the Nor’Wester Mountains. Located south of Thunder Bay, Ontario on the Indian Reserve of the Fort William First Nation, McKay was originally known as the “Thunder Mountain” (Animikii-wajiw in the Ojibwe language). The mountain is used by the Ojibwe for sacred ceremonies. A lookout exists on the lower eastern plateau at an elevation of 300 metres (980 ft), providing a view of Thunder Bay and the city’s harbour. There is a path on the southeastern face of the mountain that can be used to ascend the mountain.
Sleeping Giant – Revisited
Posted by Derek on Oct 20, 2016
Sleeping Giant seen from Thunder Bay
Height: 1847 feet / 563 m
GPS recorded height: 1850 feet / 564 meters
Prominence: 1247 feet / 380 m
Lat/Lon: N48 21.026 W88 53.932
Date Summited: July 25, 2016
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.
Labelle Lake Peak
Posted by Derek on May 24, 2016
Height: 1598 feet / 487 meters
Lat/Lon: N46 42.478 W81 07.839
Date Summited: May 22, 2016
Overview:
Located in the region of Greater Sudbury, Labelle Lake Peak was once home to both a ski hill and the Lumsden fire tower. Today, the only reminders of these structures are the rusted remains of the ski lifts and the deteriorated footings of the fire tower. It’s a short trek from Nelson Lake Road to the summit which provides an excellent vista of the Sudbury Basin.
King Mountain
Posted by Derek on Nov 12, 2015
King Mt. West Peak
GPS recorded height: 1912 feet / 583 meters
Lat/Lon: N46 47.394 W84 19.159
Date Summited: July 27, 2015
Overview:
Rising 1000 feet above the Goulais River Valley, King Mountain was once the location of a fire tower that was part of Ontario’s forest fire detection network. Although not the highest point along the ridge on which it sits (A hump further east at N46 47.857 W84 17.055 is slightly higher), the peak is the principle destination in the area. This is due to the extensive ski and snowshoe trail system in and around the peak and it’s close proximity to Sault Ste Marie. In the winter, the cross-country ski and snowshoe trails are groomed and maintained by the owners of Stokely Creek Lodge; in the summer, although the Lodge is usually closed, the trails are open and free to use for hiking.
Mamainse Hill
Posted by Derek on Nov 7, 2015
Mamainse Hill
GPS recorded height: 1958 feet / 597 meters
Lat/Lon: N47 01.592 W84 36.474
Date Summited: July 26, 2015
Overview:
Mamainse Hill is a prominent hill located 10 km north of Batchawana Bay, Lake Superior. It is flanked by steep pitches on 3 sides with high cliffs on the east and south sides. When viewed from nearby Carp Lake Road these cliffs are imposing and impressive. It is a treed summit, but it is a short bushwhack to the good views on top of the eastern cliffs.
Peak 564
Posted by Derek on May 8, 2015
aka. Western Uplands Trail High Point
Height: 1850 feet / 564 m
GPS recorded height: 1894 feet / 577 m
Lat/Lon: N45 34.047 W78 49.948
Date Summited: May 2, 2015
Overview:
Peak 564 is a high hill in Algonquin Park and the 2nd highest point in Southern Ontario. The hill is adjacent to the midpoint along the 2nd Loop of the Western Uplands Trail, near Tern Lake. With it’s close proximity to a well established backpacking trail, it is a possible multi-day hike destination. Alternatively, one can reach the peak in a long day hike from Arowhon Road (detailed below). There are no views from the broad treed summit, but hikers can enjoy the vistas along many of the lakes and ponds on the approach.
Grey Owl Peak
Posted by Derek on Dec 12, 2014
Grey Owl Peak
Height: 2100+ feet / 640+ m
GPS recorded height: 2102 feet / 641 meters
Lat/Lon: N47 15.011 W84 13.651
Line Parent: Alvin Lake Peak
Key Col: N47 15.028 W84 14.486 (1411ft / 430m)
Clean Prominence: 460 ft / 140 m
Date Summited: August 15, 2014
Overview:
Grey Owl peak, named after nearby Grey Owl Lake (2 km west) is a remote Algoma Peak which affords outstanding views of the area. From the summit, many of the high Algoma hills are visible, including Alvin Lake Peak, Ogidaki Mt., Griffin Lake Peak and Batchawana Mt. Even though the Peak is less than a 1 km bushwhack from a road*, due to the distance from from a major road (55.8 km away from Hwy 17), it is a difficult mountain to access. As the Ontario Basic Mapping (OBM) series maps show a 640 meter contour at the summit, this peak meets the Ontario 2100 footer list criteria.
* Mile 38 Road becomes a 2-track road north of the Batchawana River
