Copper Mountain (Alberta) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Copper Mountain |
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 2,795 m (9,170 ft) |
Prominence | 479 m (1,572 ft) |
Geography | |
Location | Alberta, Canada |
Parent range | Ball Range |
Topo map | NTS 82O/04 |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1885 by J. and W.T. Macoun |
Easiest route | Scramble |
Copper Mountain is a mountain located in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It stands about 20 km (12 mi) north of the town of Banff. This mountain got its name because people once thought it held a huge amount of copper.
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Why is it Called Copper Mountain?
Copper Mountain was named in 1884 by a explorer named George Mercer Dawson. He climbed up to a spot where two men, Joe Healy and J.S. Dennis, had set up a mining camp in 1881. They believed they had found a lot of copper there. That's how the mountain got its "copper" name.
A Special View
While George M. Dawson was at this mining site, he also saw and named another famous peak: Mount Assiniboine. It's pretty cool that from one spot, he could name two important mountains!
Where is Copper Mountain?
Copper Mountain is easy to spot if you are traveling through Banff National Park. It sits on the western side of the Trans-Canada Highway. You can find it just northeast of a place called Redearth Creek. Its location makes it a notable landmark in the park.
Exploring Copper Mountain
People who enjoy outdoor adventures sometimes climb Copper Mountain. The easiest way to get to the top is by scrambling. This means climbing over rocks and steep terrain, often using your hands for balance. The first people to climb it were J. and W.T. Macoun in 1885.