This is a 19th century map of the estimated boundaries of Lake Agassiz. Following the western shore, from upper-left to lower right, you will find the prairie "mountain range," also known as Pasquia Hills, Porcupine Hills, Duck Mountain, Riding Moun… — This is a 19th century map of the estimated boundaries of Lake Agassiz. Following the western shore, from upper-left to lower right, you will find the prairie "mountain range," also known as Pasquia Hills, Porcupine Hills, Duck Mountain, Riding Mountain and Turtle Mountain.

Prairie Peaks: Duck Mountain

January 28, 2016 in Nature & Ecology, Outdoor Adventure

In Duck Mountain Provincial Park, Manitoba, the prairie peaks start to make a little bit more sense.

Even though a small portion of the Duck Mountain highlands are in Saskatchewan, the topography pales in comparison to the eastern ridge in Manitoba. That's because this prairie "mountain range" was part of the western shore of a deceased glacial lake, Lake Agassiz.

Alright, they're not true mountains in the sense that they were never formed by tectonic movement uplifting the earth's crust, or volcanic activity. They were formed solely by erosion and the accumulation of glacial till. Still, this is enough to give the elevation prominence when considering the flat prairies beneath.

Prairie Peaks: Baldy Mountain

October 15, 2015 in Nature & Ecology, Outdoor Adventure

As part of the Manitoba Escarpment, Duck Mountain Provincial Park already benefits from some exaggerated elevation differences between its peaks and the Manitoba lowlands. But the park also contains Baldy Mountain, which officially claims the title of "highest point in the province."

*A view of the transition area between Duck Mountain and Riding Mountain as seen from Baldy Mountain lookout tower.*

ABOUT BALDY MOUNTAIN

At an elevation of 832 m (2,730 ft), Baldy Mountain presides at 400 m (1,310 ft) above the surrounding lowlands. Like the Duck Mountains themselves, it is shaped entirely by glacial till from the most recent ice age up to 85,000 years ago. These glacial deposits, which can run quite thick in The Ducks, sit on top of a bed of cretaceous shale that is over 70 million years old.

The peak is road accessible, situated north of Dauphin and Grandview, Manitoba. You can drive right up to the lookout tower, but there are also a series of hiking trails that can keep you busy for an hour, an entire afternoon, or a lifetime if you forget your compass.

51.469198, -100.720068

Brockelbank Hill, as seen from Highway 980 north of Woody River Recreation Site. — *Brockelbank Hill, as seen from Highway 980 north of* *Woody River Recreation Site*.

Prairie Peaks: Brockelbank Hill

October 06, 2015 in Nature & Ecology, Outdoor Adventure

We don't have frosted peaks or rocky skylines blotting out the sun, but topography does exist on the prairies in the form of valleys, canyons and escarpments. There are several land features that stand in contrast to the flat plains after millions of years of tectonic and glacial activity.

This Prairie Peaks series investigates scenic viewpoints that put the prairies' often dramatic, but understated elevation changes into perspective.

About Brockelbank Hill

Pictured above: the view near the highest point in Saskatchewan's Porcupine Hills, situated close to the Manitoba border. This point is easily accessed by driving along the Woody River Road (980) north of Townsend Lake. What you see is an expanse of the Red Deer River Valley and the lowlands east of the Pasquia Hills. There is a difference of nearly 500m (1,617 ft.) between the peak and the plain below.

52.644341, -101.799718

*Cairn commemorating Hon. John Hewgill Brockelbank. (Goodson)*

Prairie Peaks is an article series documenting noteworthy land features and viewpoints found in the Canadian plains.