Ishpatina Ridge
Encyclopedia
The Ishpatina Ridge is the highest point of land in the Canadian
province of Ontario
. At an estimated 693 m (2,274 ft) above sea level
, it is a rather low mountain and not that steep, as the surrounding land in the area is already quite elevated. Ishpatina Ridge rises approximately 300 m (984 ft) above the immediate area. To get an idea of its actual height, the very top of the CN Tower
is approx. 553.3 m (1,815 ft) above sea level
, making Ishpatina's peak about 140 m (459 ft) higher.
The ridge lies in Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park
of the Temagami area. Because of its remote location, Ishpatina Ridge is not very accessible; the closest major highway, Highway 560
, is more than 30 km away, and roads and trails in the remote area are difficult to travel in poor weather. The most popular approach routes to Ishpatina are by canoe and/or float plane, although some individuals have walked to the ridge from the nearest road. The nearest community to the ridge is Gowganda
.
The name "Ishpatina" comes from an Ojibwe language
word ishpadinaa, meaning "be a high hill/ridge". Spadina Avenue
in Toronto is derived from the same word.
Although the Ishpatina Ridge is considered the highest point in Ontario by elevation, the main peak of Maple Mountain has a higher vertical rise over the surrounding landscape, 37 m (121 ft) higher than Ishpatina Ridge rising over Scarecrow Lake.
The Ellis firetower is still standing on the highest section of the ridge.
Ishpatina Canyon
Located between Tower Peak and the North Peak, Ishpatina Canyon is among one of the deepest canyons in Ontario. The elevation of Tower Peak is 2274 feet, the bottom of the Canyon is at 1750 feet and the North Peak at 2250 feet above sea level.
Ishpatina expedition
Terry Boulanger will be leading an expedition on 28-Oct-2011 to fully document all parts of Ishpatina Ridge. The expedition will visit the South Peak, Tower Peak, Ishpatina Canyon and North Peak.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. At an estimated 693 m (2,274 ft) above sea level
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
, it is a rather low mountain and not that steep, as the surrounding land in the area is already quite elevated. Ishpatina Ridge rises approximately 300 m (984 ft) above the immediate area. To get an idea of its actual height, the very top of the CN Tower
CN Tower
The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj...
is approx. 553.3 m (1,815 ft) above sea level
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
, making Ishpatina's peak about 140 m (459 ft) higher.
The ridge lies in Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park
Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park
Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park is a remote park in northeastern Ontario, Canada, near Lake Temagami. It is one of the several provincial parks located in the Temagami area....
of the Temagami area. Because of its remote location, Ishpatina Ridge is not very accessible; the closest major highway, Highway 560
Highway 560 (Ontario)
Secondary Highway 560, commonly referred to as Highway 560, is a provincially maintained secondary highway in Northern Ontario. It begins in the west at Highway 144 and its eastern terminus is Highway 11 at Englehart...
, is more than 30 km away, and roads and trails in the remote area are difficult to travel in poor weather. The most popular approach routes to Ishpatina are by canoe and/or float plane, although some individuals have walked to the ridge from the nearest road. The nearest community to the ridge is Gowganda
Gowganda, Ontario
Gowganda is an unincorporated community in the Canadian province of Ontario, located on Highway 560 in the Timiskaming District.-External links:* profile at the James Bay Frontier Travel Association* Angler's Atlas map download...
.
The name "Ishpatina" comes from an Ojibwe language
Ojibwe language
Ojibwe , also called Anishinaabemowin, is an indigenous language of the Algonquian language family. Ojibwe is characterized by a series of dialects that have local names and frequently local writing systems...
word ishpadinaa, meaning "be a high hill/ridge". Spadina Avenue
Spadina Avenue
Spadina Avenue is one of the most prominent streets in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Running through the western section of downtown, the road has a very different character in different neighbourhoods....
in Toronto is derived from the same word.
Although the Ishpatina Ridge is considered the highest point in Ontario by elevation, the main peak of Maple Mountain has a higher vertical rise over the surrounding landscape, 37 m (121 ft) higher than Ishpatina Ridge rising over Scarecrow Lake.
The Ellis firetower is still standing on the highest section of the ridge.
Ishpatina Canyon
Located between Tower Peak and the North Peak, Ishpatina Canyon is among one of the deepest canyons in Ontario. The elevation of Tower Peak is 2274 feet, the bottom of the Canyon is at 1750 feet and the North Peak at 2250 feet above sea level.
Ishpatina expedition
Terry Boulanger will be leading an expedition on 28-Oct-2011 to fully document all parts of Ishpatina Ridge. The expedition will visit the South Peak, Tower Peak, Ishpatina Canyon and North Peak.
External links
- Trip reports with route descriptions to the 3 main peaks along the Ishpatina Ridge
- Documents conflicting estimates of the elevation of Ishpatina Ridge
- Links with descriptions to many Ishpatina Ridge travel reports and photos
- Map Link
- Individual report on Ishpatina ridge with photos
- The Ellis firetower on Ishpatina Ridge
- Friends of Temagami