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Mount McKay, Thunder Bay

4.2

#2 of 8 in Nature in Thunder Bay

Mountain Nature / Park Must See

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Mount McKay is a mafic sill located south of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, on the Indian Reserve of the Fort William First Nation. It is the highest, most northern and best known of the Nor'Wester Mountains. It formed during a period of magmatic activity associated with the large Midcontinent Rift System about 1,100 million years ago.
McKay was originally known as the "Thunder Mountain" . The mountain is used by the Ojibwe for sacred ceremonies. Only with the construction of the road were non-First Nations allowed on this land.
The current English name "Mount McKay", evolved from "Mackay's Mountain" and later, "McKay's Mountain", after William Mackay, a Scottish free trader who resided in the Fort William area sometime between 1821 and 1857.
Mount McKay is 270m above Lake Superior and 442m above sea level. It is a flat-topped hill flanked by steep cliffs on three sides.
Mount McKay is composed of shale and greywackes - the Rove Formation - which is covered by the hard, protective 60m thick diabase cap. The Rove Formation is part of the Animikie Group. The Rove sedimentary layers in the Nor'Wester Mountains are overlain by a 60m cap of diabase; this Logan diabase is million years old. This diabase cap is the erosional remnant of a sill that once extended over the entire area. Most of it is covered by a thick layer of mineral soil.

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Mount McKay Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

182 reviews

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4.7

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5.0

161 likes

• By travelsanne_de

  Eines der Highlights in Thunder Bay! Die Fahrt auf den Mount McKay ist gebührenpflichtig. Der Berg liegt im Gebiet der Ojibwe Indianer. Oben gibt es eine Gedenkstätte. Die Aussicht auf den im See lieg...  more »

  One of the Highlights in Thunder Bay! The Journey up Mount McKay is subject to a fee. The Mountain is located in the Area of the Ojibwe Indians. Above, there is a Memorial. The View of the "Sleeping Giant" Lying in the Lake is beautiful, especially at Sunset.
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• By bwalberg

  A hidden gem. Great view of city, good hiking trails and new road and powwow grounds. You can feel the sacredness of the mountain. The drive up in the fall is spectacular.  more »

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• By Dave Pope

  Beautiful views of the surrounding area. Definitely a steep hike to the top. Make sure you have the proper footwear on and you bring water and snacks. If you don't want to hike to the top, there's a lookout area that you can drive too as well.

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• By Tracey Kuzyk

  Great views of the city, lake and surrounding areas.

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