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Mount McKay, Thunder Bay

4.2

#2 of 8 in Nature in Thunder Bay

Mountain Nature / Park

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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

196 reviews

Google

4.7

facebook

5.0

161 likes

• By Laura G

  We traveled up to the top of this beauty for the view. Luckily we did not need to use a restroom as they had all been damaged and were unusable. The view is amazing and worth the drive!  more »

• By fayblife

  This hike was pretty intense but is totally worth it :) Totally recommended for everyone and see the whole Thunder Bay  more »

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Google

• 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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