Griffith Highlands Peakbagging June 2nd -4th 2025

   Jamiesons Mtn I spotted 2 and a half years ago while perusing the Peakbagger App. And after watching Grizzly Munro Diaries started looking at it closer. Jamiesons Mtn and three other peaks spotted in the Griffith Area. And had an idea. 

June 2nd implemented the plan after waiting 2.5 years and headed north towards Griffith to make it happen. This would different as it didn't involve a race of some kind and some sort of involvement. This was all for me and would be a much more challenging adventure then a race.

Got to Griffith and headed up Hyland Creek Rd which is really more like an Ontario FSR to where base camp would be. I won't share that location as I believe doing so would increase potential overuse and putting people who are not equipped for remote areas into a potential bad situation. 

Once there and set up the Ute for camping. Got the gear ready to head out to bag Jamiesons Mtn. To avoid regurgitating the same info and details  click on the link below for the details.

Jamiesons Mtn Peak Bagging June 2nd 2025

 Once back at camp made food and was the first use of the new kitchen kit I acquired. Though had to be careful as metal utensils and non stick pan/pot don't go well together. Simple one pot meal. There will be a hack gear review of things used in a separate write up.

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That first night in the back of the Ute wasn't too bad with the sort of truck tent thin bought  and got to work with my truck. Mosquito levels where definitely low as the set up kept them to a minimum. While the ability to open the mesh window a wee bit kept the ventilation going. Had a very good sleep that first night. 

After waking up and being lazy in camp. geared up for the next days adventure challenge and headed out. Like above more details in the link below for the blog write up.

Griffith Highlands 4 Peak Traverse - Peak Bagging June 3rd 2025

After finishing the traverse and back at camp for lots of water and other fluids as it had been a hot adventure. Decided it would be a wiser decision to stay an extra night and drive home the next day while not as tired. So hung out with Jake a truck dweller who was camping there over the summer and met while there. 

Yes admit am jealous of his truck camp set up, I mean way more room to sleep and do stuff. Though not ideal if one also uses their truck also for local errands and such. Maybe have an idea for a project truck related will come of it or finally attempt.

After a second nights sleep which wasn.t as good as the previous nights. No idea why just seemed to kind of more toss and turn. Maybe was too done physically after the traverse in challenging terrain. Who knows. After hanging out a bit more and helping out Jake to run to the Griffith village store for propane and other stuff. It was homeward bound after a successful adventure. 

It would only be after getting home that the debate of if or when would go up to Griffith again that discovered a reason. Spotted Three Mountains and wondered if there was a possibility to get one of the three high points. After a Google search found out there is.

Three Mountains- Peak

So yes if can will return in the Fall for a similar adventure though maybe focus on the one and not multiples. Make it more relaxing trip. Bonus of going in the Fall say September is minimal bugs.

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Griffith Uplands 4 Peak Traverse - Peak Bagging June 3rd 2025

 After the a nights sleep after the day before that also involved a wee bit of leg cramp fun from the first peak bagged of the trip.

Jamiesons Mtn Peak Bagging June 2nd 2025

It was the day of the main event. What event would that be? Well when had been looking at the Peakbagger and AllTrails apps for the area I spotted the Griffith Uplands Trail. And when looked closer the trail technically would pass near three Ontario peaks. hmm idea forming as considered that it would be a doable Ontario epic though tough. Tougher then doing either the Combermere Triple Crown or the Trenton/Batawa 5 Summits Ride.

Combermere Triple Crown Oct 7th 2021

  Trenton/Batawa 5 Summits Epic Ride July 16th 2022

This would be challenging physically due to lots of hike a bike, challenging terrain navigation, and bugs. This is remote and at times there is minimal to zilch cell service as some would say...there is no rescue. It was after was done and home when I looked at the elevation profile that noticed it looked like at least to me a traverse. Keep in mind I am no climber so maybe am wrong however sounds cool.

The Griffith Uplands Trail Article

Geared up and headed out for the short gravel road ride to the trailhead where the fun would begin. And this would be a very challenging adventure exceeding what most of my friends would consider Rule 9.

Very soon after entering the trail would be met with the first technical ascent where would be needing to carry the Stylus like a backpack to best navigate the ascent. And this would be the first of many during the day. Fortunately had the foresight to acquire the Hookabike to make this easier.

As would fully prove during this guess you could call it a traverse the decision to acquire the Hookabike would be beneficial. As a good amount of scrambling and such was needed to get up out of the valley. And closer to where could ride a bit and towards the first peak that being Lake Mountain's peak.

After climbing and some navigating found the first peak of the day Lake Mountain. A small cairn would mark the peak with no view. As was surrounded by trees which is pretty much the norm for Ontario peak bagging. 

Descended from Lake Mountain following the trail that would eventually require a careful on foot technical descent. It would be later at home that I would look at the elevation profile and see that once climbed up to the Lake Mountain peak. Pretty much the trail stayed higher above the valley floor.

Of course once descended a bit and after traversing the lower section it would be another scramble up to the next high point. This would involved another bit of wearing the Stylus as a backpack. 

It would be while looking at the elevation profile and looking at another peak bagger type app called Peakery that would notice something. It appears that while traversing from Lake Mtn to Spring without knowing may have bagged Buck Mtn. It is hard to tell accurately as it doesn't show up on the Peakbagger app and map. However Buck Mtn is 402 m high and matches with the Strava track combined with elevation. So this ended up being number 2. Though there is no "summit pic" for there as I had thought had passed lower to the summit of Buck Mtn. The maps of the trail quite possibly may not be accurate, However I will take it.

From Buck Mtn headed for the third peak of the day. And the third high point would be Spring Mtn. Which again would be a high point marked with rocks and the view blocked by trees. It needs to observed that it isn't exactly easy navigating the summits in Ontario as it isn't always obvious. And what is marked as the high point may not match what is on the maps. all can do is best one can.

After bagging Spring Mtn it was another wee bit of descent and following some ATV track. Thanks to some trees being taken down by weather got lost briefly however after looking around found the track again. And soon after it was another bunch of wearing the Stylus as a backpack 

And scrambling with the Stylus backpack to get to the 4th peak of the loop Godin Mtn. Which again required a wee bit of following a barely there track to the rock marked peak of Godin Mtn which was another no view summit. 

 And once done the 4th photos of a summit went looking for the spot where there was more of a view. And also less bugs like in the no view peak cairn spot. 

And knew what would be looking for as a heads up that on the approach to the lookout. The tree with various things tied to it the majority being Dreamcatchers.

At this spot after pushing to get the 4 summits bagged took a break to take in the view. And drink the Mountain Dew had in the pack to drink at some point. 

From there resumed descending down Godin Mtn and at one spot during the descent you could see in the distance the Lower Madawaska River. As well as a bit of Highway 41.

 With the hard part of the route completed and all supplies drained after descending from Godin Mtn. Headed left on the snowmobile trail towards Highway 41 to take the easier route out.  There was beer at the campsite and food as well as lots of water.

Stopped briefly on ride back by the Lower Madawaska to look at the hazy low in the sky sun. Haze being from all the Manitoba wildfire smoke. It was mission accomplished a mission that waited 2.5 years to finally make it happen. 

Griffith Uplands 4 Peak Traverse GPS Track

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Jamiesons Mtn Peak Bagging June 2nd 2025

After arriving in Griffith and setting up at the truck camp location. It was prep for heading up to bag the first remote peak of this little adventure into Hellbiking. I had spotted Jamiesons Mountain on the Peakbagger app couple of years ago while wandering it one day.

The Youtube video has more detail I think then what can recall and write. Maybe fun caused by ADHD.

Jamiesons Mountain, Ontario- Peakbagger

Rode from the campsite and headed out following Hyland Creek Rd. To be honest this was an Ontario logging road. So nothing really exciting though one interesting thing came upon. The classic standard issue logging road bridge made of wood like would see in the 1980's in BC. Very cool.

After a while came to the fork which taking the left track would start the initial approach to Jamiesons Mtn. So up the left track we go. This at this point is double track that reminded me of the tracks in the Spectacle Lakes area near Barry's Bay.

Part way down the approach track was near the Lower Madawaska one more time before getting to the work part of the adventure. And wouldn't see it again till descended from the peak later.

Bit more along past that river viewpoint and navigating a few water holes. Began the the Rule 9 fun of hike a bike. This area one had to pay attention to navigating as it was and is a cell phone dead zone where you get nothing till you are 75% up Jamiesons Mtn.

To get to the peak this time would be me wearing my Stylus as a backpack. Local version of what they do in the European Alps or what Grizzly Munro  does to bag the Munro's in Scotland. would be the first actual field use of the Hookabike. 

While had put on bug spray I didn't pack it for this outing you know to make things more challenging. And there was a lot of bugs on the hike up so didn't want to stop at all. was totally focused on getting to the peak.

Finally got to the peak and bagged it. Though sadly like most Ontario peaks the high point doesn't have much of a view. At least the mountains in this part of Ontario. So while bagged the peak and wanting a break from the mosquitos headed to the look out.

At the lookout it was relax with a view and a beer time. A delayed peak bagged beverage as better there with no bugs then the alternative.

After some time relaxing and enjoying the view. While had noticed the trail continued past the lookout and appeared to descend. Despite looking at maps as best could while at the lookout. I couldn't tell if it eventually descended and connected with a lower road. Not wanting to take the risk of it being a long way to a dead end made the smart decision to descend using the same trail I took to get to the peak. 

The descent was as much as possible non stop with maybe three actual brief stops. And is kind of a blur so more can be seen through the YouTube video.

Once down and past the Lower Madawaska River spot passed on the way in. It was doing the double track in reverse back to Hyland Creek Rd and the right turn onto the road. Which take me back to camp for food and a cold beverage.

Bagging Jamiesons Mountain Strava

It was pasta for post peakbagging food and hanging out a bit with Jake a fisherman who was camping in the same area. Felt good as had come and done what had wanted which was to come up to Griffith and ride. 

Sooner than later it would be time to hop into the back of the truck to sleep with an idea for the next days adventure.

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Bata island Revisited May 3rd 2025

 Last September after doing the Big Dirty Trenton Peak Bagging ride. Added a wee bit more that evening.

Big Dirty Trenton Peak Bagging Ride- 7 Peaks September 1st 2024

Had grabbed the handlebar light and headed up to Bata Island to do a recce to see what was there. As during a grave ride with my friend on the Trent Waterway Rail Trail had seen it and had discussed doing a ride to that at a later date.

Bata Island Night Ride Recce September 1st 2024

After earlier in the afternoon revisiting Lookout Mountain got to Batawa with enough time to get in a revisit to Bata Island. With the goal of videoing the Bata Island part to share with friend to give a better idea of what was there for a possible ride in 2025.

It would be a revisit of the same route from September 2024 though this time with more light and less relying on a handlebar light. Since it is the same route as 2024 the blog entry from last year is pretty much the same as this visit. Though there would be a slight change.

This would be the last adventure where all video attempted to shoot would be done using the cell phone. As earlier in the day seeing John on the lead race moto at the aid station using a GoPro I decided it was time to upgrade to one. Part of it being that video uses up the phone battery. Also add in the worry of the phone eventually getting wrecked.

Bata Island Fading Light 2025

You can see the trail on Bata Island and what it is like roughly in the YouTube video link. 

Once finished the loop around Bata Island it was back to Batawa and the Ute with the handlebar light on. With mission accomplished. That mission being getting video of what then trail looks like. Once back at the Ute, loaded up and started the rest of the drive home.

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Lookout Mountain May 3rd 2025

It will be 3 years since first went and bagged the Lookout Mtn lookout high point. And after doing the aid station headed up to the Woodland Trailhead to do it for the second time. This time it would be cooler temps then it was in 2023.

 Lookout Mountain Northumberland County May 7th 2022

This time would be slightly different as would be using my phone to video sections of it this time. Something I hadn't been doing till late in 2023 I think it was. So this time would be a little different as can show more then what a photo can and what can recall with words.

The route was to be the same as in 2022 from the Woodland Trailhead parking lot. Once parked and got the gear it was off to Lookout Mountain. 

Word wise would be kind of be repeating myself as what wrote in 2022 would be the same in 2025 of the route and trail. In that aspect best to click on the 2022 ride write up. This trip there is sme video instead.

After bagging Lookout Mtn again and some time at the top headed back down to the parking lot and the Ute. Loud everything back up and head towards Trenton with an idea of a bonus ride near there.

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Northumberland County Area #2 High Point Attempt- May 2nd 2025

It has been three years since last did any riding in the Northumberland Forest and that being the bagging of the Lookout Mountain  unofficial high point at the lookout.  This year decided to help briefly at the Substance Projects race on the Saturday with a Friday night truck camp. 

Northumberland County Area #2

As I looked at the map I thought it would be a good time on the Friday to attempt to seek out the high point in Northumberland County Area #2. And get possibly the second one of the area. However keeping in mind it is the more remote part of the Northumberland County Forest it may not be achievable as what maps and Google Satellite view show doesn't always match what is on the ground.

Used from the Beagle Club Rd trailhead as the starting point. Weird though as this is only the second ride in Northumberland Forest from the Beagle Club Trailhead in over a decade that wasn't a race. 

Heading out from Beagle Club it would be barely any singletrack and any would be right near the parking lot.  The rest was going to be forest service type roads and ATV type track aka Double Track. 

As headed towards the northwest corner of the area used the All Trails App to help navigate. As further headed north became a wee bit more work as in a few sections the trees that came down during the ice storm or over winter hadn't been cleared. 

Crossed Bowmanton Rd and headed into the next section and last climb up to the forest road that runs roughly east-west. It was here at the part where the track curves to the left that started to suspect that the high point was in the adjacent quarry.

After riding further and according to the GPS being roughly near the high point  looked at the map on Peakbagger closer and what was around. What had suspected was true. The high point was indeed in the quarry. And since am not a local and had no idea if it was an active one. Made the call to not go further and clamber in.

So got as close as could and after a bit got ready to head back to the Beagle Rd trailhead. Also keeping in mind that sun would soon start setting needed to get back to the trailhead and the truck. I should say more is shown of this ride on the crappy little YouTube channel.

Northumberland County Area #2 High Point Attempt Strava Track

Heading back to the truck took as best could tell the more direct way back. And got back no problem though would have to use the GPS track to show the route took back. Some sections a wee bit more challenging with the track stirred up by logging equipment in the past. 

While I didn't get the high point was still an adventure which is better than not having one. Reality is not every high point or peak will be accessible/achievable in Ontario. And won't know at times till you actually are on the ground attempting it.

After loading up it was off towards Baltimore then onwards towards the spot would camp overnight at. Then tomorrow would be helping at the race for a wee bit then potentially Lookout Mtn for a revisit.

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Milk Foamer Change of Direction

 After a lot of thought at the beginning of 2025 while looking into ta full suspension frame for the future surgeon advised long term injury adaptation. One evening while looking at it I realized that I was selling myself short. 

This rethink was inspired by Tiffe's sending me the Starling Cycles website and seeing Joe's cool steel full suspension frames. And of course days of coming back to the site and overthinking it way too much. Then one night while wandering Pinkbike's buy and sell it dawned on me that was short changing myself.  For 6 years have made do because I had to and to date everything frame or bike wise had acquired was more about replacing. In the Stylus case it was replacing the destroyed Samurai.

Marino Milk Foamer Ideas

Starling Swoop Steel FS Review Radavist

With the surgeon's instructions and thinking about it I had the opportunity to do what wanted for a long time. Something that had to give up in the past and just make do due to life before was maimed and adding in after was maimed.. Now had the opportunity to acquire a hand built frame new from the start. No buying second hand. Not that there is anything bad at all about buying used as that is for some the route you need to take. I had wanted for a long time something from the start hand built that was new from the start to me.

2022 Starling Twist Review Singletrack Magazine

Starling Cycles Mega Murmur review Singltrack Magazine

Mega Murmur Review Pinkbike

I remembered way back when Dirt Magazine from the UK had written an article or two on Starling Cycles and what Joe had been making. And thanks to the internet was able to dig those up

STARLING CYCLES MURMUR - Dirt

Handmade Bikes Starling Cycles UK

After much over analysis and way to much over thinking geometry, wheel size, and staring way too much at geometry chart numbers. Decision was made in January and order was placed. The first step in the long term project for following surgeon's medical instructions was taken.

And while researching all the options from Starling found an after market item that would allow for an add on of a water bottle cage or another mounting point for a tool carrying system of some kind..

Water Bottle Adaptor for Starling Murmur

Now comes the next part which is the slow project of putting parts on the Mega Twist as this is not a rush build. This as said before is following Orthopedic Surgeon's long term medical instructions for adaptations. And is more about having something I will need on hand for when the time comes that is needed. To avoid the rush to buy whatever because am in pain from long term injury issues the surgeon warned me about. And this is being proactive and more importantly give me something to slowly work on that will keep me occupied. And in a way manage my long term mental injuries.

This will be an interesting process to get it to a some what semi rideable state. Even though there is no rush to get there as this is a future long term adaptation. .Will see in the end how this will all evolve.

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