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Gary Hebert | all galleries >> National Parks of Canada >> Banff National Park >> Castle Mountain > Sunrise on Castle Mountain
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© 2004 © Gary Hebert

Sunrise on Castle Mountain

Banff National Park, Canada

Winter (December) sunrise on Castle Mountain reflected in the Bow River with lots of ice, moving and stationary. Castle Mountain is halfway between Banff and Lake Louise along the Bow Valley Parkway. Named by James Hector in 1858. The mountain was named for its fortress or castle-like appearance. Despite the appropriateness of Dr. Hector’s name and the fact that it had been used for almost one hundred years, the mountain was renamed Mount Eisenhower in 1946 in honour of American General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during the final year of World War II. The decision to rename Castle Mountain was made by Prime Minister Mackenzie-King on the day before the President was to pay a visit to Ottawa. As much as Eisenhower was respected, this arbitrary decision so enraged the Alberta government that it immediately formed its own geographical names board. It took thirty-three years and an Albertan as Prime Minister before Castle Mountain regained its original name in 1979. As a compromise, the prominent tower on the southern end of the mountain was given the name Eisenhower Peak.

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Marco Valk04-Mar-2017 18:38
Terrific image
Kathy 02-Jun-2009 19:33
Beautiful picture. Just as I remember from my childhood days playing at my nana's house in Banff.
Kathy 02-Jun-2009 19:32
Beautiful picture. Just as I remember from my childhood days playing at my nana's house in Banff.
Kathy 02-Jun-2009 19:32
Beautiful picture. Just as I remember from my childhood days playing at my nana's house in Banff.
Guest 16-Oct-2008 12:03
Lovely image Gary. Great lead in with the water and bank on the left
Guest 16-Oct-2008 12:02
Lovely image Gary. Great lead in with the water and bank on the left
Karen Moen17-Jan-2006 06:17
Wow! Lighting, color and composition are right on. Voted.
Guest 22-Jan-2005 22:21
Another stunning capture.
Guest 10-Jan-2005 00:18
Tremendous shot Gary. I have taken many photos of this rock, but I can't compare any to your image.
Most pictures of the mountain, including this one, appear to indicate that Eisenhower peak on the right is the high point. Optical illusion - it's a good 50 feet (15 m.) lower than the actual peak which is the next rise to the left. As you move to the left of your position, towards Highway 93, the relationship becomes apparent.
My son Andrew and I climed this mountain in 2001. In the next few days I'll post some of my shots, including one from the true peak, looking down on Eisenhower Peak.
Just for general information, the mountain is climbable by anyone in good physical condition, without ropes or any other technical stuff. It is a long hard slog (count on 7 hours), but the view from the top is magnificent. The mountain is some distance from any others to the south, east, and west, and on a clear day, you can see ... well almost forever.
Thanks Gary, not only for the wonderful photo, but also the history.

Cheers,
Dick McDonell
type08-Jan-2005 13:32
Very serene. Beautiful shot.
Karen Stuebing08-Jan-2005 12:26
That orange glow is incredible. Beautiful scenic. Nice commentary on the history too.