Sugarloaf Mountain (New Brunswick) facts for kids

Sugarloaf Mountain, as seen from Campbellton

Sugarloaf Mountain is a cool mountain in Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada. It stands about 281 meters (or 922 feet) tall! This mountain is part of the northern Appalachian Mountains. It's also protected inside Sugarloaf Provincial Park, right near the city.

Fun Things to Do at Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Provincial Park is a big park, about 11.5 square kilometers. It's a great place for outdoor fun!

There's a road that goes all around Sugarloaf Mountain. Cars aren't allowed on it. You can walk, jog, or run on this road in spring, summer, and fall. When winter comes, it becomes a perfect path for cross-country skiing.

You can hike to the very top of Sugarloaf Mountain! There's a trail on its eastern side. This trail is closed in winter. It's best for hikers who have some experience. At the top, a special viewing platform lets you see amazing views. You can look out over the Restigouche River valley. You'll see the City of Campbellton and other towns in New Brunswick and Quebec.

The park also has an alpine ski resort. It's on a different hill next to Sugarloaf Mountain. In winter, you can go alpine skiing there. They have slopes for everyone, from beginners to experts. You can also try snowshoeing, ice skating, or even go for a sleigh ride! In summer, the ski lift still runs. You can ride it up the hill to enjoy the views. The ski hill also has a fun downhill mountain bike park.

How Sugarloaf Mountain Was Formed

Sugarloaf Mountain is actually a very old volcano! It formed a long, long time ago, during a period called the Late Devonian age. This happened when the Earth's outer layer, called the crust, was stretching and getting thinner. This event followed a big mountain-building period called the Acadian orogeny. The rock that makes up Sugarloaf Mountain is a type called felsic rock. This means it's light-colored and rich in certain minerals.

A Mi'kmaq Legend

The Mi'kmaq people have a special story about how Sugarloaf Mountain was made. The legend says that a long time ago, giant beavers built a huge dam on the Restigouche River. This dam stopped the salmon from swimming upstream to lay their eggs. This meant the Mi'kmaq people couldn't get their main food source.

So, Glooscap, a powerful hero in Mi'kmaq legends, got very angry. He grabbed the leader of the giant beavers. Glooscap then threw the beaver with all his might! The beaver landed right where Sugarloaf Mountain is now. When it landed, it turned into solid rock. That rock became the mountain we see today, Sugarloaf Mountain.