Athabasca Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Athabasca Pass |
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| Elevation | 1,753 m (5,751 ft) |
| Location | Alberta–British Columbia border, Canada |
| Range | Rocky Mountains |
| Coordinates | 52°22′35″N 118°11′00″W / 52.37639°N 118.18333°W |
| Official name | Athabasca Pass National Historic Site of Canada |
| Designated | 1971 |
Athabasca Pass is a high mountain pass located in the amazing Canadian Rockies. It sits right on the border between the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. This pass is about 1,753 meters (5,751 feet) high.
Long ago, during the time of the fur trade, Athabasca Pass was a super important route. It helped connect places like Jasper House on the Athabasca River with Boat Encampment on the Columbia River. This made it easier for traders to move goods and supplies across the vast mountains.
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Where is Athabasca Pass?
Athabasca Pass is found between two notable mountains: Mount Brown and McGillivray Ridge. You can find it south of another famous pass called Yellowhead Pass and north of Howse Pass.
The Committee's Punch Bowl
At the very top of Athabasca Pass, there's a special glacial lake called the Committee's Punch Bowl. This lake is unique because it sits on the continental divide. A continental divide is like a high ridge where water on one side flows to one ocean, and water on the other side flows to a different ocean.
- Water from the Committee's Punch Bowl flows into the Whirlpool River. This river is a branch of the Athabasca River, which eventually reaches the Arctic Ocean.
- Water also flows from the lake into Pacific Creek. This creek is a branch of the Columbia River, which eventually flows into the Pacific Ocean.
So, this small lake is a starting point for rivers that flow to two different oceans!
History of the Pass
Athabasca Pass first appears in historical records thanks to a British explorer named David Thompson. In 1811, an Iroquois man named Thomas showed Thompson this important route.
A Key Fur Trade Route
After its discovery, Athabasca Pass became a major part of the fur trade network. It was used by the York Factory Express, which was a long and difficult journey taken by fur traders. They would travel from Rupert's Land (a huge area controlled by the Hudson's Bay Company) all the way to the Columbia District on the Pacific coast.
Because of its big role in Canadian history and the fur trade, Athabasca Pass was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1971. This means it's a special place that helps us remember and understand Canada's past.
See Also
- List of mountain passes in the Canadian Rockies
