August 16, 2024

Hiking Ishpatina Ridge

Difficulty Rating:
Camping
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Beauty Rating:
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Solitude Rating:
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Adventure Category:
Adventure Start:
Aug 16, 2024 6:30 AM
Estimated End:
Aug 18, 2024 9:00 PM

Adventure Description

This is the big one, probably our most ambitious adventure to date.

Ontario may not be blessed with big mountains but one peak stands above all others at 693m - Ishpatina Ridge. Few have heard of it, even fewer have climbed it and for good reason. It's really hard to get to, the trail is barely marked and natural obstacles include a river crossing that we'll have to wade. As you might expect, it also gets really steep.

On day one, we'll drive up to Temagami then turn off the road for several hours of driving up a rough bush road, getting deeper and deeper into the wilderness. We'll set up camp for the night ready for day two when we start the epic 30km hike that takes us to the very top and back down again. We'll celebrate around the campfire during our second night in the forest before returning back to Toronto with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

What to expect? This is Type 2 fun but will be pretty incredible while you're doing it. It's guaranteed to be among the most remote places you've visited and Temagami's rare old growth forest is a truly magical space in which we'll be immersing ourselves. We'll be wading rivers, bush whacking for many kilometers and carrying significant weight as we're bringing in camping gear. The reward should be absolutely worth it at the top.

You'll be accompanied by our expert guides keeping you safe and motivating you along the way.

What's included:

All camping equipment (except sleeping bag and pad)

All meals (except lunch on the way up there and dinner on the way back)

Expert guides with advanced Wilderness First Aid qualifications

This is the big one, probably our most ambitious adventure to date.

Ontario may not be blessed with big mountains but one peak stands above all others at 693m - Ishpatina Ridge. Few have heard of it, even fewer have climbed it and for good reason. It's really hard to get to, the trail is barely marked and natural obstacles include a river crossing that we'll have to wade. As you might expect, it also gets really steep.

On day one, we'll drive up to Temagami then turn off the road for several hours of driving up a rough bush road, getting deeper and deeper into the wilderness. We'll set up camp for the night ready for day two when we start the epic 30km hike that takes us to the very top and back down again. We'll celebrate around the campfire during our second night in the forest before returning back to Toronto with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

What to expect? This is Type 2 fun but will be pretty incredible while you're doing it. It's guaranteed to be among the most remote places you've visited and Temagami's rare old growth forest is a truly magical space in which we'll be immersing ourselves. We'll be wading rivers, bush whacking for many kilometers and carrying significant weight as we're bringing in camping gear. The reward should be absolutely worth it at the top.

You'll be accompanied by our expert guides keeping you safe and motivating you along the way.

What's included:

All camping equipment (except sleeping bag and pad which can be rented here)

All meals (except lunch on the way up there and dinner on the way back)

Expert guides with advanced Wilderness First Aid qualifications

N.B. Self-drivers will not be able to join this adventure without an off-road capable vehicle (think AWD/4WD with some ground clearance - you don't need a jeep). For that reason, space is limited with just 10 people in the van.

Itinerary

Friday August 16th

06:30 - Drive to Ishpatina. Van leaves from close to Keele Station
14:00 - Arrive at trail head parking, begin hike
17:00 - Set up camp, dinner

Saturday August 17th

07:00 - Begin Hike
07:00- 19:00 Hike to top of mountain then retun back down
19:00 - Set up camp. Dinner round campfire

Sunday August 18th

Morning - Complete hike out, lunch

Afternoon - Drive back to Toronto

21:00 - Anticipated return to Toront

Rental Gear available

Tents, cooking equipment, mess kits. Sleeping bag and pad can be rented at the link in the trip description.

Adventure Cost

Event Cost:
$445+HST
Transport Cost:
$70

Join This Adventure

To join this adventure, you'll first need to become a member of Wilderness Union. We're an Outdoor Adventure Community of 20-40 year olds dedicated to helping you get out of the city, explore more and find your outdoor friend group.
Membership gives you access to over 100 unique adventures a year, regular socials, outdoor education and our private discord all at unmatched pricing.
Sign up for a one month free trial and $25 in trip credit towards your first adventure and start seeing more of the wild.

Become a Member

Credit Eligibility

This trip is eligible for trip credit use and any credit on file will be automatically applied against the cost of the adventure (up to $25 per adventure).  Review your current credit balance in your account.
This trip is not eligible for trip credit use (except for any refund credit on file).

Cancellation Policy

Full amount charged on registration. 90% refund available until August 2nd, 50% refund available until August 9th. No refunds available after then.
If you cancel and wish to rejoin, please confirm with us on Discord to ensure that the updated registration has been received.

Members Attending

Alex
Enida
Sai
Denis
Jana
Marie
Bianca
Aaron
Megan
Justin
Johnry
Artem
Britt
Corey
Darshan
Norah
Krishna
Ahmed
Sarah
Joel

Members on Waitlist

Bianca

Adventure Cancellations

Alex
Sai
Denis
Jana
Aaron
Megan
Johnry
Darshan
Ahmed
Sarah
This adventure opens for registration soon!

Trip Updates

2/7/24 - N.B We no longer have space in the van so anyone after this point will car pool with one of our self drivers. Anyone booking after this date will only have their place confirmed after July 15th when Isaac returns from travel. 2/8/24 - We still have space remaining but exclusively for self-drivers.

Apply for Membership or log-in to sign up for this adventure

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Exploring Rouge Valley
Beaver Valley Hike
Northern Lights Stargazing
Killarney - Hike The Crack
Brantford to Hamilton Mega Hike
Salmon Run & High Park Hike
Final 2024 Frontenac Fall Colour Hike
Muskoka Rescue Dog Hike
Haunted Halloween Hike and Social
Fall Colours By Canoe
Bruce Peninsula Thanksgiving Camping
Wilderness Union Friendsgiving
Algonquin Park - Fall Pt. II
Frontenac Fall Colours - September Edition (RESCHEDULED)
Fall Colours at Rattlesnake Point
Frontenac Fall Colour Hike
Algonquin Park - Fall Colours Hike
Hardy Lake + Ice Cream
Fall Colour Hike and Apple Picking
Hardy Lake Hike + Ice Cream (CANCELLED)
Wilderness Book Club - Into The Wild
Algonquin Highlights - Canoe and Hike
Secret Summer BBQ Social
Secret Wilderness Hike + Mystery Adventure
Cave Hike and Creemore
Tubing the Grand River
Spectacular Scenery Hike
Wilderness Lake Paddle - 4
Exploring Temagami - An Epic 5 Day Canoe Loop
Secret Location Wilderness Hike
Crawford Lake
Muskoka River & Waterfall Hike
Niagara Falls Daytrip & Whirlpool Hike
Wilderness Lake Paddle - 3
Wilderness Book Club - Entangled Life
WU Outdoor Movie Social
Wilderness Lake Paddle - 2
Wilderness Lake Paddle
Humber River Canoe and Picnic
Wasted Wings
Crawford Lake
Wilderness Book Club - On Trails
Canoeing the North West Territories Talk
Camping Trips - Info Session
Tree Planting at Heartwood Farm
Canoe Camping in Killarney
Wings & Waste #4
Tea 'n Bannock Social
Earth Day Clean-Up
Hiking Ishpatina Ridge
Canoe Camping Overnight
Georgian Bay Islands Camping
A Meditative Old Growth Forest Hike
Toronto Island Paddle & Picnic
Bruce Peninsula Camping
Overnight Backcountry Camping Intro
Hilton Falls Hike
McCrae Lake Hike
Advanced Navigation Exercise
Crawford Lake
Wings & Waste #3
Wings & Waste #2
The Walrus Talks Nature
Wings & Waste
Wilderness Book Club - The Golden Spruce
Frontenac Mega Hike
Secret Location Muskoka Wilderness Hike
Introduction to Navigation
Movie Screening and Social
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
Spring Foraging Masterclass
Epic Panorama Hike
Algonquin Park - Centennial Ridges Trail
Hamilton Waterfall, Donut and Brewery Tour - '24 edition
Secret Location Wilderness Hike + Mystery Adventure
Bruce Peninsula - Day Trip
Video Games & Drinks at Tilt
Total Solar Eclipse Tour
Interpretive Nature Hike at Tommy Thompson Park
Secret Hike + Winter Clothing Clinic
Winter Clothing Clinic & Discounted Shopping Event
More Skiing and Snowboarding at Mt St Louis Moonstone
Winter Camping in Wild Temagami
Wilderness Book Club - January
Activate Social
Information Session 2
Victoria Day Camping in Algonquin
St Jacobs Tour
Fire & Ice Forest Skating Trail at Arrowhead
McCrae Lake Hike/Snowshoe
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding at Mt St Louis Moonstone
Cross-Country Skiing
Snowtubing & Pub Lunch
Mystery Location - Winter Hike
Hardy Lake Hike
Festive Farm Visit & Hike
End of Year Celebration
The Wilder Loop
Epic Panoramas & Famous Waterfalls
Archery Lesson & Lunch

Other Upcoming Adventures

The Wilder Ones
NEWSLETTER

Sign up for our newsletter to reconnect with the wild, discover new adventures and get updates from Wilderness Union.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.