Mount Stephens (British Columbia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Stephens |
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 Mount Stephens
Location in British Columbia
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,592 m (5,223 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,047 m (3,435 ft) |
| Parent peak | Thumb Peak |
| Geography | |
| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Parent range | Pacific Ranges, Coast Mountains |
Mount Stephens is a tall mountain in British Columbia, Canada. It stands 1592 meters (about 5223 feet) high. This makes it a very noticeable peak in the Coast Mountains.
People also know this mountain by other names. In the Kwak'wala language, it is called Quay, Kwe, or k'we. It is located in the Central Coast region of British Columbia. You can find it northeast of Nimmo Bay and Mackenzie Sound. It is also west of Kingcome Inlet.
Mount Stephens: Home of the Thunderbird
Mount Stephens is more than just a tall peak. It is a very special place for the Gwawaenuk people. They are part of the larger Kwakwaka'wakw group. For them, Mount Stephens was the home of the thunderbird.
The thunderbird is a powerful creature in their stories. It is said that when the thunderbird came down from the mountain, it could change into a human. This human then became the ancestor of the Gwawaenuk people.
Today, the main village for the Gwawaenuk is called Hegams. This village is on Watson Island in the Broughton Archipelago. From Hopetown, you can see Mount Stephens. The famous artist Walter Phillips even featured this view in one of his woodcut artworks.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The name "Mount Stephens" was given by Captain Vancouver. He was a British explorer who mapped the coast of British Columbia. Captain Vancouver named the mountain after Sir Philip Stephens. Sir Philip Stephens was an important person in the British government at that time.
