After a few trips up to the Combermere area in 2019 and 2020 which during those trips explored the Thomas P Murray Recreation area. As well as in 2020 the bagging of peaks of McGillivary and Gun Mountain in 2020. Looking at the map an idea kinda came to me. But I do admit doubted it would happen as who knew what 2021 would be like.
The idea is based on an event that used to be run on the north Shore mountains of BC which was a mtb ride that would be up Mt Seymour, then Mt Fromme, finally Cypress aka the Triple Crown. This was also done many times outside of events by mountain bikers looking for a challenge. While sure Ontario doesn't have the elevation as the North Shore mountains as I looked at the map of the area and after the two previous rides up Gun Mtn and McGillivary Mtn as they are called I thought there might be a possibility to do this. Especially when you consider the fact some sections to get to these peaks aren't exactly rideable as the trails are really straight up and down ATV and multi use trails with some being I believe skidder road so do end up hike-a-biking a bit. Plus factor in that once you leave the trailhead for this you have to carry your own supplies. There is zero McDonald's or Tim's in this area so if want a couple of beers you gotta haul it with you.
To be clear despite there being GPS and Strava this isn't a race. And yes it doesn't have the elevation of Mt Seymour or Mt Fromme nor the all day ride time as the North Shore like you read in Lee Lau's write up from 2005.
This is Ontario and have to make do. The requirement is still simple to hit all three peaks in one go. No outside aid with the anything can happen like break a wheel or whatever. And deal with it. All three peaks is the goal that is it. All that is left is when the opportunity presents to get it.
Projects like these are good for me as it gives me something in some form to work at which is good for my mental illness. It helps both in the planning as the execution in managing it. Of course add in the other aspect which is maybe me doing these things will reach that one person and change their path.
Then near the end of summer it appeared that there would be a chance to go back up to Barry's Bay and the opportunity was there. So began the planning with two parts known and making it easy to have a rough plan. The only unknown was Weasel Peak and Lookout though hopefully getting up early enough on the Wednesday would give enough time to do a recce ride of Weasel Peak. And the first week of October was the trip and got up to Barry's Bay with enough daylight to get in the Weasel Peak/Lookout Peak Recce and bagging. And with the recce done that last bit was in place and next was to connect it all.
After a good sleep and sleeping in. Then a bit of time in town for some Tim's and errands before back to the Ashgrove and then prepare for the ride. Off to the trail head of Highway 62 and parking then Dirtbag Ute. Afternoon loading up it was cross the highway and into the trails. With the plan to sort of go counter clockwise McGillivary Pk was the first one to head to.
Headed towards Combermere on the double track and after a bit of warm up on Drohan's Trail arrived at Long Lake road and turned right. 5 minutes or less was at the signs that said McGillivary Trail which took one to the peak and lookout.
After leaving Long Lake Road and heading up the trail which would soon turn into the steep hike a bike from last year. And after that was the same up and down trail as the year prior.
Which after doing the up and down trail sections come to that sharp left and steep as hell hill climb. Which isn't even ATV trail it is one that was essentially bulldozed straight up and down to the right turn into the look out. Which takes you to the peak/lookout.
Despite the steep hoof up this was the easiest of the three peaks/lookouts to get. And once there was times to pause to enjoy the view. Of course with the mandatory summit beverage which in this case was a Raddler. And just do that part of the ride of chill and look out. But of course all things eventually end.
Raddler finished and headed down the east side of McGillivary remembering there was a track that way to take me back to Long Lake Road but found out ten minutes down that it was now blocked with all sorts of debris. So back up and down the original steep climb. At the bottom instead of taking the harder rolling trail took in continued out to Highway 62. There took the ATV track that ran along the highway to Long Lake Road. Then headed down Long Lake Road to the trail head to Gun Mountain.
Same approach as 2019 was used to the steep climb, which was as the year before lots of sandy dirt and rock. Then the same hard climb up with hike a bike.
And after getting up and over the rocks was the top of Gun Peak and the lookout. And the best look out of the day over this part of the Madawaska Valley.
And instead of sitting on the rock some generous people of the Combermere Recreation Committee decided that a nice summit chair was a reward for getting here. Particularly nice to rest in at this point of the day with the appropriate summit beverage.
Of course used the Therma-A-Rest packable seat to better enjoy the summit and said summit beverage. After all we are more civilized now days.
So while at the peak checked where was headed next specifically for certain trail numbers. Unlike most I don't rely completely on technology and cell phone and such maps. I carried a old school paper map to better navigate with and confirm things. Personally find this method of navigation a bit more safe then using GPS map apps and so on. That also has to do with learning to do it and years of riding and being in the woods and backcountry.
After Gun Peak and the Lookout it was back to work and head for high point number 3 Weasel peak. With another nasty rock and sand filled downhill put on the Super DH face part for the downhill.
Back tracking part of the route of the 2019 failed search for Gun Mountain Peak and Lookout. Of course dueing the non long downhills the Super DH was in more enduro xc mode. So 162 to the trail 109 and taking 109 to the intersection with trail 164 . Turning right to repeat the ride from the day before up to Weasel Peak summit.
After repeating the day before's hike-a-bike up the steepest section and a wee pedal up the 1 km from the top of the steep hike-a-bike section. A very gradual uphill and then it was the high point of Weasel Peak. And even though it was the first week of October half way up drained the last bit of the 2 L's of the hydration pack. It was pretty warm for fall apparently for this far north in Ontario.
Weasel Peak the third point of the day in the bag and the mission nearly done. The last part being get out in one piece. And here of course is a flask to toast with Antiguan Rum the third peak bagged. While I readily admit would have rather had a Raddler at the top the Camelbak Hawg even for a three hour ride had a limited carrying capacity but will go on about that more in a another post.
After chilling a bit more while getting the Super DH into gravity mode it was time to head down to the lookout. Which was just before the rock filled part of the downhill. Stopped to get another photo from the Weasel Mtn lookout. And definitely feeling the hike-a-bike efforts as well as the riding in this terrain. Reality is there isn't much similar to this closer to Kingston.
After the lookout out continued and finished the descent to the intersection where Trail 164 dead ends at Trail E109. Turned right and continued the at this point gradual descent to the trail head at highway 62. Crossed Highway 62 to where the Dirtbag Ute was parked. Grabbed the cold Dr Pepper for post ride recovery. Because when the going gets tough the tough hit the Dr Pepper. And mission accomplished, a Triple Crown in remote Barry's Bay and Combermere areas of Ontario. While have some thoughts about gear after but will share those in a separate post later.
After getting a wee bit more normal mounted up and headed back to the Ash Grove for some beer and food to celebrate a good day. A day of Great Success.
GPS Details'
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