Roundtrip: 5km
Difficulty: Difficult
Location: Thunder Bay, ON
Hike along the North side of Mount McKay on the Halfway Trail with great views of the city all along the way. This trail is difficult to follow in spots and there is a risk of fall in places where the trail is close to the edge. You can hike the trail returning the way you came or you might want to bring two vehicles and park one at either end.
If you are in Thunder Bay, follow James St. south as it splits left (east) from Montreal St. and crosses the Kaministiqua River. Turn right (west) on Chippewa Road and follow to Mountain Road. Turn left on Mountain Road and take the next left into the parking lot of the old Mt. McKay Ski Area.
Park at the parking lot of the old ski chalet. Follow the old maintenance road that leads from the parking lot and keep heading up toward the mountain. This area is well used by mountain bikers and there are many trails around. Bring a map to stay on track and keep a sharp eye out for the bikers they can come out of nowhere fast! When you reach the old chair lift equipment follow along the left side of the mountain to find the trail.
Follow the trail until you get to the boulder field. After you cross the boulder field the trail is difficult to find. Once you are on the trail it will lead you to a big shale vertical weakness in the face that is tricky to negotiate. This is a good spot to turn back if you are not hiking through to your second vehicle. The trail is hard to find once you cross the shale. When you do get back on the trail it will take you to the parking lot of the Mount Mckay Scenic Lookout.
This one is private property now. There are new property owners who don’t allow hikers