MOUNT MCKAY
On Sunday afternoon, we decided to check out one of Fort William First Nation’s treasures; Mount McKay.
We began our day trip at Done-Rite Tire & Auto on Carrick Street. We headed to the Harbour Expressway and hung a left. We continued straight until we reached Highway 11/17. At Highway 11/17, we took a left and drove for roughly 12 kilometres until we reached Chippewa Road. At Chippewa Road, we took a left and followed the road. We passed Bannon’s Gas Bar and kept driving straight until we reached Mission Road. On Mission Road, we turned right and followed the signs until we reached the entrance to Mount McKay.
Fun Fact: Mount McKay is 981 feet above the City of Thunder Bay. It is the highest and most Northern of the Nor’Westor mountains.
At the entrance to the Mountain, you will see a small building. This is where you pay a $5 admission fee to access the Lookout.
Sidenote: Only cash is accepted. Be sure to bring your wallet!
The drive up the mountain is very quick and easy. The road is wide and safely accommodates two-way traffic.
When you reach the top, you will find a parking lot. You can park in the lot, or you can keep driving all the way up to the Lookout. The Lookout is only a few hundred feet from the parking lot, so we suggest you park and take the short hike up the hill.
As we approached the Lookout, we found two beautiful statues, which are tributes to the Elders.
First Nation Fact: In Indigenous culture, Elders are the essential link to the past and to the future. Elders provide continuity and complete the ‘circle of life’ so that individuals, family and extended family and community view themselves, and subsequently behave, as a confident and complete whole.
At the top of the Mountain, we were presented with an unobscured view of Lake Superior, the Sleeping Giant and Thunder Bay. It was a sunny day, and the views were beautiful.
There are a few features to visit at the Lookout:
A large wood carved Eagle
A beautiful stone Chapel built in 1888
An Aboriginal Memorial
A pair of teepees
The Eagle was my daughter’s favourite, while I appreciated the Chapel.
If you have not visited Mount McKay in a while, this is the summer to take the short drive up the Mountain. It is the perfect place to get fresh air and a fresh view of the City.
We give this day trip a 10 out of 10!
