Gentian Peak
# Gentian Peak

Gentian Peak is a 2,197-metre (7,208-foot) summit in British Columbia, Canada.

## Description

Gentian Peak is located within Garibaldi Provincial Park on the northeast side of Garibaldi Lake, and is part of the Garibaldi Ranges of the Coast Mountains. It is situated 77 km (48 mi) north of Vancouver and 3 km (2 mi) west of Castle Towers Mountain. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains south into Garibaldi Lake and north into Helm and Castle Towers creeks, all of which is within the Cheakamus River watershed. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 720 meters (2,362 feet) above the lake in 1.5 km (1 mi). The mountain's toponym was officially adopted on September 2, 1930, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada and refers to a rare species of Gentian flowering plant found in the vicinity.

## Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Gentian Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel east toward the Coast Mountains where they are forced upward by the range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Coast Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports the Helm Glacier on the north slope of the peak.

