| Mont Albert | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,151 m (3,776 ft) [1] |
| Prominence | 740m[2] |
| Listing | Quebec 1000 meter peaks List of mountains in Canada |
| Location | |
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Mont Albert
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| Location | Mont-Albert, Quebec, Canada |
| Range | Chic-Choc Mountains |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | August 26, 1845 by Alexander Murray |
Mont Albert is a mountain in the Chic-Choc range in the Gaspésie National Park in the Gaspé Peninsula of eastern Quebec, Canada. At 1,151 m (3,776 ft),[1] it is one of the highest mountains in southern Quebec, and is popular for hiking.
Mount Albert was named in honor of Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha because geologist Alexander Murray made the first recorded ascent of the mountain on the Prince's birthday, 26 Aug. 1845.[1]
The summit of Mount Albert is a plateau 13 km (8.08 mi) across called La Table à Moïse, or Moses's Table.[3] It includes two summits, Albert North (1,070 m (3,510 ft))[4] and Albert South (1,151–1,154 m (3,776–3,786 ft)).[5][1] Each of the summits is situated at either side of the plateau.
The principal component of Mont Albert is an unusual kind of bedrock called serpentine; this originated as oceanic crust and was then uplifted during the formation of the Appalachian Mountains about 480 million years ago.[3] The nearly flat serpentine tableland on the mountain's summit is an alpine area above the tree line, and supports a quite distinctive flora with many kinds of endemic and highly disjunct plants.[6]
The ascent of Mount Albert from near sea level is challenging, but popular with hikers, offering a view of the St. Lawrence and the Côte-Nord, the river's north shore, part of the ancient bedrock of the Canadian Shield.