Ishpatina Ridge
| Ishpatina Ridge | |
|---|---|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 693 m (2,274 ft) |
| Prominence | 394 m (1,293 ft) |
| Coordinates | 47°19′00″N 80°45′00″W / 47.31667°N 80.75000°WCoordinates: 47°19′00″N 80°45′00″W / 47.31667°N 80.75000°W |
| Geography | |
| Location | 90 km north of Sudbury, Ontario |
| Parent range | Canadian Shield, unnamed range |
| Topo map | NTS 041P07 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
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. Ishpatina Ridge rises approximately 300 m (984 ft) above the immediate area. It was only truly recognized as Ontario's highest point after federal government topographical mapping revealed this fact in the 1970s. Before then, the more popular Maple Mountain was thought to be higher.
The ridge lies in Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park. Due to its remote location, Ishpatina Ridge is a challenge to reach. The closest major highway, Highway 560, is more than 30 km north. There are a few logging roads and trails in the remote area, but they are difficult to travel in poor weather. The most popular approach route to Ishpatina is by canoe/portage via a logging road to the south out of the town of Capreol north of Sudbury. While a northern route exists (out of Gowganda, the nearest community), there are numerous portages making it particularly onerous. This route has traditionally been used for a winter-time approach by ski/snowshoe. Historically, a fire tower atop the ridge was staffed by forest workers and they would have been ferried to the site by float plane.
The name "Ishpatina" comes from an Ojibwe language word ishpadinaa, meaning "high place/ridge". The city of Ishpeming, Michigan, in Marquette County, and Spadina Avenue in Toronto, Ontario derive their names from the same word.
Although the Ishpatina Ridge is the highest point in Ontario, at least one other geographic feature, Maple Mountain (approximately 25 km to the east) has greater prominence, 37 m (121 ft) higher than Ishpatina Ridge's rise over Scarecrow Lake.
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Wikipedia