Bow Peak

{{short description|Mountain peak in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada}}

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Bow Peak

| photo = Bow Peak reflection.jpg

| photo_caption = Bow Peak reflected in Bow Lake

| elevation_m = 2840

| elevation_ref = {{cite peakbagger|4506|Bow Peak, Alberta|access-date=2019-10-09}}

| prominence_m = 493

| prominence_ref =

| range = Canadian Rockies

| parent_peak = Crowfoot Mountain (3055 m)

| listing = Mountains of Alberta

| country = Canada

| region_type = Province

| region = Alberta

| part_type = Protected area

| part = Banff National Park

| map = Alberta#Canada

| map_caption = Location in Alberta##Location in Canada

| coordinates = {{coord|51|37|35|N|116|22|45|W|type:mountain_region:CA-AB_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_ref = {{cite cgndb|id=IAHZB|name=Bow Peak|access-date=2018-10-24}}

| topo = NTS {{Canada NTS Map Sheet|82|N|9}}

| rock = Sedimentary rock

| age = Cambrian

| first_ascent =

| easiest_route = Scramble

}}__NOTOC__

Bow Peak is a {{Convert|2840|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=on}} mountain summit located in the Bow River valley of Banff National Park, in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada. Its nearest higher peak is Crowfoot Mountain, {{convert|2.11|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the east. Bow Peak is situated north of Hector Lake, southeast of Bow Lake, and can be seen from the Icefields Parkway. Although not of remarkable elevation, the mountain is a conspicuous landmark and visible from as far away as the Lake Louise area.{{cite peakfinder|id=159|name=Bow Peak|access-date=2021-07-27}} Its position in the Waputik Mountains provides magnificent views from the summit.{{cite book|first1=Kathy|last1=Copeland|first2=Craig|last2=Copeland|year=2004|title=Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies|publisher=Hikingcamping.com|isbn=0-9689419-7-4}}

History

Bow Peak was named in 1922 for its proximity to the headwaters of the Bow River which was known by the Cree as "The place from which bows are taken." The mountain's name became official in 1924 by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

Geology

Like other mountains in Banff Park, Bow Peak is composed of sedimentary rock laid down during the Precambrian to Jurassic periods.{{Belyea-Banff-NP}} Formed in shallow seas, this sedimentary rock was pushed east and over the top of younger rock during the Laramide orogeny.{{cite book|title=Geology of the Rocky Mountains and Columbias |author=Gadd, Ben |year=2008}}

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Bow Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.{{cite journal | author = Peel, M. C. |author2=Finlayson, B. L. |author3=McMahon, T. A. | year = 2007 | title = Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification | journal = Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. | volume = 11 |issue=5 | pages = 1633–1644 |doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2007HESS...11.1633P | issn = 1027-5606}} Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from Bow Peak drains into the Bow River which is a tributary of the Saskatchewan River.

Gallery

File:The broad east side of Bow Peak.jpg|The broad east face of Bow Peak

File:Bow Peak sunrise.jpg|East face

File:Bow Peak in white.jpg|Bow Peak winter scene

File:Bow Peak from the Icefields Pkwy.jpg|South aspect of Bow Peak (left) from Icefields Parkway

File:Bow Peak.jpg|Bow Peak and Bow Lake

References

External links

Parks Canada web site: [https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff Banff National Park]
Andromache, Hector, Bow, Crowfoot panorama: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/john_payzant/29350369783/in/album-72157683980020735/ Flickr photo]
PBase photo: [https://pbase.com/image/156656312 Bow Peak - Icefields Parkway]
Weather: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-5906839/Canada/Alberta/Bow%20Peak Bow Peak]

{{Geographic Location 2

| Center = Bow Peak

| North = Dolomite Peak

| Northeast = Mosquito Creek

| ENE = Bow River

| East = Icefields Parkway

| ESE = Mount Andromache

| Southeast = Mount Hector

| South = Hector Lake

| Southwest = Mount Balfour

| West = Crowfoot Mountain

| WNW = Crowfoot Glacier