Roundtrip: 4km
Aldina Fire Tower
Difficulty: Difficult
Location: Nolalu, ON
Hike up Carson Creek Peak to the Aldina Fire Tower. The Aldina Fire Tower is about 100 feet tall and was put up in the 60′s. Just the cupola is left up top.
Carson Creek Peak is listed as the fourth highest summit in Ontario with a broad and flat summit covered by dense bush, with the spot directly under the tower being the high point of land on the summit.
We did get a bit lost on the way out so make sure you follow the directions carefully –on the way in and on the way out! There are lots of unmarked roads and trails heading in all directions in this area. Make sure you have a map and compass. Thank you to OntarioHighPoints.com for the directions:
00.0 km – From Thunder bay, drive west on Highway 11, turn left onto 588 to Stanley. Follow 588 for 35 km through Stanley and Nolalu to the turnoff onto North Sideroad 1.6 km (1 mile) past the junction with Route 593. Follow North Sideroad for 6 km to the intersection with Delints Road.
06.0 km – Intersection with Delints Road. At this point the road jogs left and than immediately right and continues northward.
06.7 km – Keep left at the fork
08.2 km – Keep left at the fork. After this point the road turns west, and eventually heads south and crosses a small stream at 12.9 km.
13.7 km – Go right at the fork (this is the turn I missed on the way out!)
14.0 km – At the 14km mark is a good spot for Parking for low clearance and/or 2-wheel drive vehicles
17.5 km - Follow the road left (west) for 3.5 km from the parking spot where a quad path to Carson Creek Peak branches to the left. We parked our 4×4 vehicle here at the start of the quad trail and hiked west on the quad trail. The trail rounds the mountain to its southern flank and begins to climb gradually northward up to the broad summit.
19.6 km – Take the trail on the left (heading north) to complete the remaining 380 m to the Aldina fire tower and the summit. On our trip in we met a couple of guys on quads who gave us lots of great information and mentioned that they had recently cleared this section of trail. They had come in to this spot on their quads via Boreal Road.
19.9 km – Summit and Aldina fire tower
It’s good to know that my directions can at least get you up to Carson Creek Peak (but maybe not back down!). I’m a bit jealous, the weather looks like it cooperated for you and you got some great photos – it looks like someone braved the icy ladder up to the fire tower cupola.
This may be a more straightforward hike from the north, if the guys on the quads are correct and the trail is clear all the way from Boreal Road. It would definitely be easier for people without 4×4 vehicles, since Boreal Road is a well maintained road and it isn’t too far of a hike from the road to the fire tower.
Yes we did climb the tower. Of course I didn’t get on my fire tower kick until after they were iced up! Just wasn’t dangerous enough already I guess!
The guys on the quads said that the hike in coming from Boreal Road was quite a bit longer though. I haven’t check out the route for myself yet but it might be worth it if it less confusing.
Wow I hunted close to this area years ago and didn’t even know this tower was still standing. I was researching Ontario’s fire towers a few years ago and from the info I found all the towers had been removed. Great to see there is at lease one left standing from a bygone era. When I was 6 I remember my friends and I hiking into the old fire tower at east Loon and had been fascinated by then ever since. Great work keep it up!
Did this hike today. Have lived in this area for 10 years and never knew how to access this tower, although we had seen it from the Boreal Rd many times. The directions were pretty good and we didn’t get lost at all. The trail near the tower is surprisingly swampy in places, so suitable footwear is recommended. My husband did climb the tower and took some great pics. Extreme caution must be used when up there. Thanks for the great website. Plan on a few more of your recommended hikes this year.
Thanks for your comment Jane! Not that many people make it to this spot!
@ C Aegard,
I must assume u have been to my site “Ontario’s Fire Tower Lookouts” at the above link. Not sure how u got to thinking all the towers were removed. In Northern Ontario almost every tower still stands. About 200 remain still erect standing proud just awaiting visitors. My site lists them all with photos.
Here is the “alternate” route into the tower. This route is MUCH easier and would recommend this way instead.
Take Hwy 590 to the Boreal Rd. Drive this for 21.3 kms at which point you will see an old bush road on the left (not well used). Drive this for only .6 km at which point the road is dug up. Here is a good place to park.
Follow the old road over the berms and a small bridge. If driving an ATV watch for a hidden wash out (in the first km). At 2.2 kms stay to the right and follow all the way to the tower. It is a total of 4.7 kms from where you park.
This is a very easy trail to follow.
Thank you for this!
Hi Clay, Yes I have been to your site lots! It’s great. It does list the towers but they are hard to find since you only give a list of place names and there aren’t any directions to reach the towers that are in my area (Thunder Bay). It has been a fun treasure hunt trying to locate and visit the fire towers in my area. Thank you for the information you provide.
Susan