Ishpatina Ridge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ishpatina Ridge
Elevation	690 m (2,264 ft)
Location	90 km north of Sudbury, Ontario
Range	Canadian Shield, unnamed range
Prominence	314 m (1,030 ft)
Coordinates	47°19′N 80°45′W / 47.317, -80.75
Topo map	NTS 041P07
First ascent	???
Easiest route	hike

The Ishpatina Ridge (officially named Ishpatina Peak)^[1] is the highest point of land in the Canadian province of Ontario. At an estimated 693 m 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 metres above the immediate area. To get an idea of its actual height, the very top of the CN Tower is approx. 633 m above sea level, making Ishpatina's peak about 60 m higher.

The ridge is part of the Temagami region,^[2] though it is located in the Timiskaming District of Northeastern Ontario, about halfway between Sudbury and Kirkland Lake within Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park. The mountain 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 Isphatina 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, the main peak of Maple Mountain (25 metres north of the firetower) has a higher vertical rise over the surrounding landscape, 37 metres higher than Ishpatina Ridge rising over Scarecrow Lake.^[3]

Highway 560 is the road that comes the closest to Ishpatina Ridge. The Ellis firetower is still standing on the highest section of the ridge.