Sgurra Bhreac (Nova Scotia)

Sgurra Bhreac
Highest point
Elevation 222 m (728 ft) [1]
Prominence 212 m (696 ft) [2]
Coordinates 45°55′42.88972″N 60°25′46.70739″W / 45.9285804778°N 60.4296409417°W / 45.9285804778; -60.4296409417Coordinates: 45°55′42.88972″N 60°25′46.70739″W / 45.9285804778°N 60.4296409417°W / 45.9285804778; -60.4296409417
Geography
Location Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia, Canada
Parent range East Bay Hills
Topo map NTS O11/F16
Climbing
Easiest route drive / hike

Sgurra Bhreac[3] (alternative spelling 'Sgurra Breac'), sometimes referred to as the Big Rock, is a Canadian peak located in the East Bay Hills of Cape Breton Island, an extension of the Appalachian mountain chain in the province of Nova Scotia. Sgurra Bhreac is a prominent rock outcrop, rising 50 m (160 ft) from the northern edge of The Big Barren, between the Breac Brook and Glengarry Valleys, and is the highest elevation point on Cape Breton Island south of the Bras d'Or Lake.

Sgurra Bhreac is a challenging but popular hiking/geocaching destination as the view from its summit is impressive. From here one can see Sydney, Glace Bay, the Bras d'Or Lake, the Mira River and most of the Mira area, Loch Lomond, the Atlantic Ocean, and many other lakes, ridges, valleys and bogs.[4]

Located 30 km (19 mi) west of Sydney, inland of the community of Big Pond and 1 km (0.62 mi) southwest of East of Rock Lake, the peak can be approached to within 1 km (0.62 mi) by back roads, either Glengarry Rd. (named "Spring Road" on older maps) to the south or a road (unnamed on current topographical maps) to the north passing through Rear Big Pond, which follows the Breac Brook Valley. The final approach to the peak is by hiking.

There is a fourth order Natural Resources Canada Geodetic Survey Division Station (Unique Number: 21139) on the summit, consisting of three markers. Two are brass/bronze disks and one is a copper survey bolt. This station was established sometime before 1921.[5][6]

The name, Sgurra Bhreac, (pronunciation approximately "skoor ah brec") which means spotted or pitted ridge or rock in Gaelic, was officially adopted on 2 December 1924.[7] The Sgurra Breac, a local history / natural sciences newsletter published from 2004 to 2010, had adopted the name of the "Big Rock".

References

  1. ↑ "Nova Scotia Geographical Names Database - Bhreac, Sgurra, County of Cape Breton (includes map)". Government of Nova Scotia. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Sgurra Bhreac, Nova Scotia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  3. ↑ Geographical Names of Canada - Sgurra Bhreac
  4. ↑ Geocaching Home - Cache Details GC750D, Groundspeak, retrieved 2009-01-30
  5. ↑ Canadian Spatial Reference System Online Database, Natural Resources Canada, retrieved 2014-09-06
  6. ↑ BIG ROCK 19465 (PDF), GeoNova (Province of Nova Scotia), retrieved 2014-09-06
  7. ↑ Nova Scotia Geographical Names - Bhreac, Sgurra (includes map), Government of Nova Scotia, retrieved April 8, 2012
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