2862m (9390ft.)
Located between Johnston Creek Valley and upper Silverton Creek. Banff Park, Alberta
Latitude 51; 19; 00 Longitude 115; 54; 20, Topo map 82O/05
Panorama viewpoint: Storm Mountain Hill. Can be seen from Highways 1 and 93S
Named by Charles D. Walcott in 1910. Stevens, Helena B. (Helena was the first wife of Charles D. Walcott, who studied the geology of the Rockies in the early 1900's.) Official name.
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| Photo: (l-r) Castle Mountain, Stuart Knob, and Helena Ridge from two km east of Red Earth Creek on the Trans-Canada Highway More photos |
Other Information
Photo: Helena Ridge from the Bow ValleyHelena Ridge lies to the northeast of the high valley to the right of Castle Mountain when it is viewed from the Trans-Canada Highway, southeast of Castle Junction. The ridge descends slowly from behind Castle Mountain and extends to the valley containing Johnston Creek. Dr. Charles D. Walcott spent many summers studying the geology of the Canadian Rockies and chose to name this feature after his first wife, Helena Stevens. A high point near the northwest end of the ridge was named for his son Stuart. (see Stuart Knob.)
A summary of Dr. Walcott's work in this area was published by the Smithsonian Institute in 1928. The 368 page book is filled with detailed geological information but there is a single reference to his wife in the introduction of the "Wild Flower Canyon Section," where he notes that, "Mrs. Walcott identified 82 species in blossom in July within a short distance of the pond."
Sadly, Helena Walcott was killed in a train accident in 1911.
| For scramblers wanting a better view but not quite up to the lengthy tramp up Castle Mountain, there is little difficulty in attaining the highest summit of Helena Ridge. This 5 km-long ridge lies north and east of Rockbound Lake, and is a wee bit higher than Castle. Try from July on. Kane, Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies page 211 |