Sentinel Mountain (Alberta) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sentinel Mountain |
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Sentinel Mountain from the David Thompson Highway
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,591 m (8,501 ft) |
| Prominence | 107 m (351 ft) |
| Parent peak | Elliott Peak (2873 m) |
| Listing | Mountains of Alberta |
| Geography | |
 Sentinel Mountain
Location in Alberta
Sentinel Mountain
Location in Canada
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| Location | Alberta, Canada |
| Parent range | Canadian Rockies |
| Topo map | NTS 83C/01 |
| Type of rock | Sedimentary |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1858 by James Hector |
Sentinel Mountain is a mountain in Alberta, Canada. It stands 2,591-metre (8,501-foot) tall. This impressive peak is part of the Canadian Rockies. You can find it in the beautiful North Saskatchewan River valley.
Sentinel Mountain's closest taller neighbor is Elliott Peak. Elliott Peak is about 1.6 km (0.99 mi) to the southeast. Both mountains offer amazing views from the David Thompson Highway and Abraham Lake. Water from rain and melting snow on Sentinel Mountain flows into streams. These streams eventually join the North Saskatchewan River.
The mountain got its name in 1893 from Arthur P. Coleman. The name was officially recognized in 1928 by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.
How Sentinel Mountain Was Formed
Sentinel Mountain is made of a type of rock called sedimentary rock. This rock formed over millions of years. It was laid down in layers from the Precambrian to Jurassic periods. Think of it like layers of sand and mud settling at the bottom of ancient, shallow seas.
Later, a huge event called the Laramide orogeny happened. This was when massive forces pushed the Earth's crust. These forces pushed the older sedimentary rock layers of Sentinel Mountain eastwards. They even pushed them up and over younger rock layers. This is how the mountain we see today was created.
What's the Weather Like on Sentinel Mountain?
Sentinel Mountain has a subarctic climate. This means it experiences very cold and snowy winters. The summers, however, are usually mild.
During winter, temperatures can often drop below -20 °C (which is -4 °F). When the wind blows, it can make it feel even colder. This is called the wind chill factor. It can make the temperature feel like -30 °C (-22 °F) or even colder.
