Chic-Choc Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chic-Choc Mountains |
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mount Jacques-Cartier |
| Elevation | 1,268 m (4,160 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 95 km (59 mi) East-West |
| Width | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Geography | |
 Location in Quebec
Location in Canada
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| Country | Canada |
| State/Province | Quebec |
| Range coordinates | 48°55′N 66°00′W / 48.917°N 66.000°W |
| Parent range | Notre Dame Mountains |
The Chic-Choc Mountains, also known as the Shick Shocks, are a cool mountain range in Quebec, Canada. You can find them in the middle of the Gaspé Peninsula. These mountains are part of a bigger chain called the Notre Dame Mountains, which are connected to the famous Appalachian Mountains.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Chic-Chocs comes from the Mi'kmaq people. Their word sigsôg means "crags" or "rocky mountains." Over time, the spelling of the name has changed a lot. Some old spellings include Chikchâks (from 1836) and Shick-shock (from 1857).
Exploring the Geography
The Chic-Choc Mountains run right next to the St. Lawrence River. They are about 20 to 40 kilometers (12 to 25 miles) inland from the river. This mountain range is quite narrow, stretching about 95 kilometers (59 miles) long and 10 kilometers (6 miles) wide.
Mountain Features
The Chic-Chocs have been shaped a lot by erosion over many years. This means they have rounded, flat tops and steep sides. More than 32 mountains in this range are taller than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet). The very highest peak is Mount Jacques-Cartier, which stands at 1,268 meters (4,160 feet) tall. You might even spot caribou living on the high, flat areas of these mountains.
Fun in the Chic-Chocs
The Chic-Choc Mountains have become much more popular for visitors since the late 1990s. This is because backcountry skiing, which is skiing in wild, unmarked areas, grew in popularity in Eastern Canada.
Popular Skiing Spots
Some of the best places for backcountry skiing here include Mont Hogs Back, Mont Albert, Champ Mars, Mount Logan, and Mines Madeleine. Skiers can use guidebooks to find their way. The first French guidebook for skiing in the Chic-Chocs was made by Avalanche Québec. Later, an English guidebook was written by Ari Schneider in 2017. Avalanche Québec then released a full English version of their own guidebook the next year.
Other Adventures
If you like climbing, the mountains near Mont Saint Pierre are a great spot for ice climbing. Many trails also go through these mountains, including the famous International Appalachian Trail. Most of the mountain range is protected as part of Quebec's Parc national de la Gaspésie.
Gallery
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Chic-choc from Mont Xalibu
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View from Mont Jacques-Cartier
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Winter in the Chic Choc Mountains
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Near Sayabec
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Parc de la Gaspésie
See also
In Spanish: Montes Chic-Chocs para niños
