Tombstone Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tombstone Mountain |
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Tombstone Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,002 m (9,849 ft) |
| Prominence | 411 m (1,348 ft) |
| Parent peak | Elpoca Mountain (3036 m) |
| Geography | |
 Tombstone Mountain
Location in Alberta
Tombstone Mountain
Location in Canada
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| Location | Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park Alberta, Canada |
| Parent range | Opal Range Canadian Rockies |
| Topo map | NTS 82J/11 |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cambrian |
| Type of rock | Limestone |
Tombstone Mountain is a cool mountain in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada. It stands about 3,002-metre (9,849-foot) (that's over 9,800 feet!) tall. This mountain is special because it has two main peaks, like a double top!
You can find Tombstone Mountain in Kananaskis Country, which is part of Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park. The southern peak is a bit lower and is sometimes just called Tombstone Mountain on maps. You can reach this lower peak by scrambling, which means climbing over rocks without special ropes. But to get to the very top, the true north peak, you need special climbing gear and skills. The closest taller mountain is Elpoca Mountain, which is about 4.0 km (2.5 mi) away.
History of Tombstone Mountain
This mountain got its unique name in 1884 from a Canadian explorer named George Mercer Dawson. He thought the tall, flat rocks near the top looked like tombstones.
The name "Tombstone Mountain" was officially recognized in 1924 by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. So, it's been known by this cool name for a long time!
Mountain Building: Geology of Tombstone
Tombstone Mountain is made of sedimentary rock. This type of rock forms from layers of sand, mud, and tiny bits of sea creatures that settle at the bottom of ancient seas. These layers were laid down over millions of years, from the Precambrian to the Jurassic periods.
Long, long ago, during a time called the Laramide orogeny, huge forces pushed these rocks up. It was like a giant squeeze that pushed older rock layers over younger ones. This is how Tombstone Mountain was created, especially during an event called the Lewis Overthrust. If you look closely at the Opal Range, where Tombstone Mountain is, you'll see that the rock layers are tilted steeply. Softer rock layers are often found between harder ones, making the mountain unique.
Mountain Weather: Climate Around Tombstone
The weather around Tombstone Mountain is known as a subarctic climate. This means it has very cold winters with lots of snow, and summers that are usually mild.
In winter, temperatures can drop below −20 °C (which is -4 °F!). With the wind, it can feel even colder, sometimes below −30 °C (-22 °F). If you want to climb Tombstone Mountain, the best time to visit is from July to September. That's when the weather is usually the nicest. All the rain and melting snow from the mountain flow into streams that eventually join the Elbow River.
