Franchère Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Franchère Peak |
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Franchère Peak (centered) seen from Cavell Meadows
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,805 m (9,203 ft) |
| Prominence | 345 m (1,132 ft) |
| Parent peak | Aquila Mountain 2840 m |
| Listing | Mountains of Alberta |
| Geography | |
 Franchère Peak
Location in Alberta
Franchère Peak
Location in Canada
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| Location | Alberta, Canada |
| Parent range | Canadian Rockies |
| Topo map | NTS 83D/09 |
Franchère Peak is a tall mountain peak in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It stands at about 2,805 meters (9,203 feet) high. You can find it in the beautiful Astoria River valley, which is part of the Canadian Rockies.
This mountain was named in 1917 after a person named Gabriel Franchère. He was a French Canadian writer and explorer. Gabriel Franchère explored the Pacific Northwest region. He also wrote the first story about a trip over Athabasca Pass in 1814.
Franchère was part of a company called the Pacific Fur Company, which belonged to John Jacob Astor. He sailed to a place called Fort Astoria on a ship named the Tonquin. The nearby Tonquin Valley was later named after this ship. The name "Franchère Peak" became official on March 5, 1935. This happened when the Geographical Names Board of Canada approved it.
The closest taller mountain to Franchère Peak is Aquila Mountain. It is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to the north. Another famous mountain, Mount Edith Cavell, is located just south-southeast across the Astoria River valley.
What's the Weather Like at Franchère Peak?
Franchère Peak is in a subarctic climate zone. This means it has very cold and snowy winters. The summers are usually mild. Temperatures can drop below -20 °C ( -4 °F). With the wind chill, it can feel even colder, sometimes below -30 °C (-22 °F).
The water from rain and melting snow on Franchère Peak flows into Portal Creek and the Astoria River. Both of these rivers eventually join the larger Athabasca River.
How Was Franchère Peak Formed?
Franchère Peak is made up of sedimentary rock. This type of rock forms from layers of sand, mud, and other materials that build up over millions of years. These layers were laid down during very old time periods, from the Precambrian to the Jurassic eras.
Later, during a major event called the Laramide orogeny, huge forces pushed these rock layers. This caused them to fold and break, and they were pushed up and over younger rocks. This process created the tall mountains we see today, like Franchère Peak.
Images for kids
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Franchère Peak
