Mount Stephen

Mount Stephen, a prominent 3,199-metre peak above the Kicking Horse River Valley near Field in Yoho National Park, is closely tied to both the railway era and Rocky Mountain geology. Named in 1886 for Canadian Pacific Railway president George Stephen, it is formed mainly of Cambrian shales and dolomites about 550 million years old. The Stephen Formation was first identified here, and fossil-bearing beds on the mountain make summit access permit-only. James J. McArthur and T. Riley made the first ascent on September 9, 1887 while carrying surveying equipment. Today, its challenging routes and severe subarctic conditions also make it known for scrambling and winter ice climbing.

British Columbia · Canada