Observation Peak is a 3,174-metre (10,413-foot) mountain summit located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. The mountain can be seen from the Icefields Parkway near the Bow Summit.

Observation Peak
Observation Peak, July 2003. Visible high point is the false summit.
Highest point
Elevation	3,174 m (10,413 ft)[1][2]
Prominence	644 m (2,113 ft)[3]
Listing	Mountains of Alberta
Coordinates	51°44′32″N 116°28′01″W[4]
Geography
Observation Peak Alberta, Canada
Parent range	Canadian Rockies
Topo map	NTS 82N9 Hector Lake
Geology
Age of rock	Precambrian to Jurassic
Mountain type	sedimentary rock
Climbing
First ascent	1895 by Bill Peyto and Walter Wilcox[3]
Easiest route	easy/moderate scramble[5]

The peak was named in 1898 by Charles L. Noyes, a Boston clergyman, who upon climbing to the top found it to have the best viewpoint he had ever reached.[3][1]

The mountain can be scrambled using the western slopes and after reaching the top of the false summit, a 20-minute plod to the northwest leads to the true summit about 100 metres (328 ft) higher.[5]

Geology

Like other mountains in Banff Park, the mountain is composed of sedimentary rock laid down during the Precambrian to Jurassic periods.[6] Formed in shallow seas, this sedimentary rock was pushed east and over the top of younger rock during the Laramide orogeny.[7]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Observation Peak is located in a subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[8] Temperatures can drop below -20 °C with wind chill factors below -30 °C. Precipitation runoff from Observation Peak drains into the Mistaya River, a tributary of the North Saskatchewan River.

References

See also

• List of mountains of Canada
• Geography of Alberta

External links

• Parks Canada web site: Banff National Park