Monkhead facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Monkhead
Monkhead (left) reflected in Maligne Lake
Highest point
Elevation	3,250 m (10,660 ft)
Prominence	60 m (200 ft)
Parent peak	Mount Warren (3362 m)
Listing	Mountains of Alberta
Geography
Monkhead Location in Alberta Show map of Alberta Monkhead Location in Canada Show map of Canada
Location	Alberta, Canada
Parent range	Le Grand Brazeau Range Canadian Rockies
Topo map	NTS 83C/11
Geology
Age of rock	Cambrian / Ordovician
Type of rock	Limestone
Climbing
First ascent	1950 by Mr. and Mrs. Rex Gibson, D. LaChapelle, E. LaChapelle

Monkhead is a tall mountain peak in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It stands at the south end of beautiful Maligne Lake. This mountain is about 3,250 meters (10,663 feet) high.

The Alpine Club of Canada named Monkhead because its shape looks like the hood worn by a monk. The closest higher mountain is Mount Warren, which is about 2.3 kilometers (1.4 miles) to the south-southeast. Monkhead is also found at the edge of the Brazeau Icefield. It rises very steeply, about 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), from the lake in a short distance. This makes it look very dramatic. You might have seen Monkhead in famous pictures of Spirit Island and Maligne Lake.

Mountain History

The name "Monkhead" was officially recognized in 1946 by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The very first ascent to the top of Monkhead happened in 1950. A team of climbers, including Mr. and Mrs. Rex Gibson, D. LaChapelle, and E. LaChapelle, were the first to reach its summit.

Weather and Climate

Monkhead is located in a subarctic climate zone. This means it has very cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Temperatures can often drop below -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). With the wind chill factor, it can feel even colder, sometimes below -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit). The snow and ice that melt from Monkhead flow into the Maligne River. This river then joins the larger Athabasca River.