maple mountain myth

The highest point in Ontario

 

The summit of Maple Mountain, about 25 metres north of the fire tower, is 642 metres (2,106 feet) above sea level (asl). There is no shortage of people who say it is the highest point* in Ontario. Some disagree, calling it the second highest,** and yet others call it the third.

It is none of these, and never, at least officially, was. Tip Top Mountain, in Pukaskwa National Park astride Lake Superior, took the top honour when it was measured by a geologist at Ontario's Bureau of Mines at 646 metres (2,120 feet) above sea level in 1899.

With the availability of more precise maps, it was officially overtaken in 1967 when Ogidaki Mountain, north of Sault Ste. Marie, was noted at 665 metres (2,183 feet).

With the creation of the federal 1:50,000 series topographical maps in 1970, the highest peak on Ishpatina Ridge came to the Ministry of Natural Resources' attention. It was measured at 686 metres (2,250 feet), and later revised to 690 metres (2,274 feet). It hasn't been overtaken.

Today, both Ishpatina and Maple Mountain reside inside Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Wilderness Park. Ishpatina lies south of Smoothwater Lake and 32 kilometres (20 miles) west of Maple Mountain. In height above the surrounding terrain, Maple Mountain does stand taller by 37 metres (121 ft). Nevertheless, Ishpatina carries the crown of highest elevation in Ontario.

* Measured as the elevation of land above sea level (asl). Not to be confused with height — aka vertical elevation or vertical rise — which is the height above the nearby landscape.

** Including the McGuffins in their book In the Footsteps of Grey Owl and the Temiskaming Speaker (Apr 12, 1989)

† Original measurements. Actual updated from Ontario Base Maps to 690, 654 and 641, respectively.

‡ Calculated from Ontario Base Map data.

  BACKGROUND: Ishpatina & Maple Mountain

Posted Jan. 11, 2005

Updated Jan. 27, 2006

ONTARIO'S historical HIGHEST POINT

Point

Metres

Yr

Ishpatina

 686† 1970

Ogidaki Mt

 665† 1967

Tip Top Mt

 646† 1899

Yr – Recognition year

Metres – Elevation asl

 

VERTICAL RISE‡

(above nearby lake)

Maple Mountain above Tupper Lake:

            351 m (1,152 ft)

Ishpatina above Scarecrow Lake:

            314 m (1,030 ft)

 

 

Sources: Ontario Geographic Names Board, Ontario Base Maps

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