Cadotte Pass facts for kids

Cadotte Pass is a special pathway through the Rocky Mountains in Montana, United States. It's like a natural gateway that crosses the Continental Divide. This important pass is named after Pierre Cadotte, who explored it in 1851.

What is Cadotte Pass?

Cadotte Pass is a "mountain pass." This means it's a low point or gap between mountains. It makes it easier for people and animals to travel across a mountain range. The pass is very high up, about 6,073 feet (1,851 meters) above sea level.

A Path Through the Continental Divide

The pass is located on the Continental Divide. This is a line of high ground that runs through the Americas. It separates the rivers that flow to the Pacific Ocean from those that flow to the Atlantic Ocean. Crossing the Continental Divide means you are moving from one major watershed to another.

Who is Cadotte Pass Named After?

The pass is named after a man named Pierre Cadotte. He was a settler who lived at Fort Benton, Montana. In 1851, Pierre Cadotte explored this mountain pass. He was one of the first non-Native people to explore this specific route.

How the Pass Got Its Name

Two years after Pierre Cadotte explored the pass, it was officially named after him. This happened in 1853. Isaac Stevens, who was the Territorial Governor of the Montana Territory at the time, gave the pass its name. Governors are leaders of a territory or state, similar to how a mayor leads a city.

Early Travelers and the Pass

Long before Pierre Cadotte explored it, the pass was used by Tribal people. They used this natural pathway to travel across the mountains. It was an important route for them, especially when they were migrating to the buffalo hunting plains. These plains were located around the Sun River.