3162m (10375ft.)
Located in the Ghost River and Lake Minnewanka Valleys; east buttress of Aylmer Pass. Palliser Range, on the border of Ghost & Banff parks, Alberta
Latitude 51; 19; 30 Longitude 115; 25; 55, Topo map 82O/06
Panorama viewpoint: Benchlands; Whiskey Creek East. Can be seen from Highways 1 and 940N
Named by J.J. McArthur in 1890. J.J. McArthur, who completed the first ascent, was from Aylmer, Quebec. Official name.
First ascended in 1889 by J.J. McArthurJournal reference CAJ 10-32.
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| Photo: Looking northeast across the Palliser Range to the summit of Mount Aylmer from Highway #1 near Banff Townsite More photos |
Other Information
Photo: Mount Aylmer from the south on Mount Inglismaldie (courtesy Rienk Lakeman) Mount Aylmer is part of the Palliser Range. An impressive, pyramid shaped mountain when viewed from the east, it is almost two hundred metres higher than neighbouring Mount Costigan and often has snow cover when the nearby peaks are bare. With an elevation of 3162 metres it is the highest peak north of the Bow River for a considerable distance. From the Benchlands viewpoint, a good portion of the mountain is visible because we are looking directly up the valley of the Ghost River which takes a very direct route through thirteen kilometres of front range mountains. The mountain is also very prominent from Banff Townsite but only its smoothly curved summit rises beyond the Palliser Range.
For a panoramic view from the summit of Mount Aylmer visit www.canadasmountains.com.
| Moderate scrambling via southwest slopes. Mount Aylmer is one of the more prominent points in the Front Ranges and is Banff's highest summit. Although the Palliser Range hides much of it, the lofty summit still projects enough to draw attention. Each season many parties make the ascent despite a long approach. Some camp at Aylmer campsite, although fit parties will find this unnecessary. A bicycle approach was common in the past, but because of trail damage caused by wet-weather riding, bikes may well be banned in future. Check at the information centre in Banff. Some years the upper ridge dries off by June, but a cold rain will often deposit snow high up. These upper slopes are visible from the Banff east overpass so check before dashing off. Kane, Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies page 192 |