Griffon Peak

VTA-Saulteaux Section Trip Report 

Griffon Peak-September 30, 2018 

We are blessed to life in a spectacular area, full of spectacular places. Each season has its special magic, but for me, the colour palette of an Algoma fall is top of the list. 

On this day the colours were in their full glory .... for a caterpillar year, that is. Cheryl noted that the forest tent caterpillar did their good work for a second year in a row, so the trees are stressed. As a result there was more bronze in the palette this year. .. the oranges were muted. The red maples seem less palatable to the caterpillars so the crimson that the red maples add to the palette is still there. The reds, yellows and oranges are made more vivid by the contrast with the deep greens of the conifers. In the south view (next page), you'll see some spruce in the foreground ... but conspicuous by their absence are the big white pines. They have been preferentially logged out over the years. There are many in the understory .. .I hope to be visiting Griffon Peak for enough years into the future to see those pines start to peak over the maples and birches. 

The hike to Griffon Peak is a steady uphill, through a tunnel of trees and then suddenly you are at the top and the view to the north, west and south lays out before you. There is an old fire tower there ... no cupola, just the tower. 

Ten VTA members and friends made the trek this year (the third ... annual?). 

To the north you can see Griffon Lake below you, and on the horizon are the wind turbines at Montreal River. 

To the south you see part of lower Tilly Lake and King Mountain on the horizon. This image is more to the south west view towards the Goulais Peninsula. 

Griffon Peak, at 656 metres above sea level, is ranked as the 6111 highest point in Ontario. 

Of the top 12 heights in Ontario, at least three are in Algoma, and about 8 are within the VTA "region". Maybe we could add a "summit to summit" badge to our "end to end" badge? Any volunteers? 

Composed by Mark C. 

Photography by Bruce C