Topo map NTS 92F/01 Prominence 668 m Mountain range Vancouver Island Ranges | Elevation 1,023 m Province British Columbia Parent range Vancouver Island Ranges | |
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Similar Mount Arrowsmith, Mount Moriarty, Golden Hinde, Mount Cokely, Mount Whymper | ||
Mount Benson is a mountain located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia located 9 km (5.6 mi) west of Nanaimo. There was road access to the peak, and it is popular with local hikers. It has good views of the Strait of Georgia and the mainland coast of British Columbia.
Contents
- Map of Mount Benson Nanaimo C BC Canada
- 1951 Kemano air crashEdit
- Mount Benson Regional ParkEdit
- References
Map of Mount Benson, Nanaimo C, BC, Canada
Formerly known as Wake-siah, this hill was named in 1859 by Captain Richards, RN, after his friend Alfred Robson Benson, MD, a physician from Whitby (Yorkshire), who was in the Hudson's Bay Company service 1857-62.
Most of the summit is flat with several small lakes, surrounded by clearcuts.
1951 Kemano air crashEdit
In October 1951 23 people died in worst aviation accident to that time in British Columbia history when a Canso operated by Queen Charlotte Airlines en route from Kitimat to Vancouver crashed into Mount Benson at the 490 m (1,610 ft) level. Remnants remained on the slopes for many years afterwards.
Mount Benson Regional ParkEdit
In July 2008 the Mount Benson Regional Park, comprising 212 ha (520 acres) on the upper north east slope of Mount Benson was established on land acquired in 2005 by the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust. There is no road access to the park itself. Only a portion of the mountain is within the park not including the twin summits. The park area is the head waters of the Millstone River and, to the east, the Chase River.