Cross River (British Columbia) facts for kids

The Cross River is a river in British Columbia, Canada. It flows into the Kootenay River, which then joins the larger Columbia River. This means the Cross River is part of the huge Columbia River system.

The Cross River: A Journey Through History

This river has an interesting history, especially linked to a mountain pass called Whiteman's Pass.

Early Explorers and Settlers

In 1841, a fur trader named James Sinclair led a group of settlers through Whiteman's Pass. They were families from Fort Garry (which is now the city of Winnipeg). Their goal was to settle in the Oregon Country to help strengthen British claims there.

They traveled a long way, guided by Maskepetoon, a chief of the Wetaskiwin Cree people. They went past Lake Minnewanka to where Banff, Alberta is today. From there, they followed the Spray River and then White Man's Creek. Finally, they crossed the Great Divide at White Man's Pass. Some people believe the pass was named "Whiteman's" because a few men from the Maritimes were part of this group.

Also in 1841, a minister named Robert Terrill Rundle explored the Spray Valley. This valley is near the mountain that now carries his name.

The Cross of Peace

In 1845, a Jesuit priest named Father Pierre-Jean De Smet traveled to the summit of White Man's Pass. He came from Windermere Lake by following the Kootenay River and one of its branches. He described the view from the pass as "wild sublimity."

At the pass, Father De Smet put up a large cross. He called it the "Cross of Peace." It's said that he met two British Army Lieutenants, Henry James Warre and Mervin Vavasour, near the summit. It was quite a coincidence for two groups to meet in the Canadian Rockies back then, as very few Europeans were traveling there.

After Father De Smet put up the cross, the river flowing from the west side of the pass became known as the Cross River. He wrote that the cross was a "sign of salvation and peace" for all the tribes in the mountains. The local Nakoda ("Stoney") people also have a name for the river, Tsha-kooap-te-ha-wap-ta, which also refers to the cross De Smet built.

A Secret Mission

Lieutenants Warre and Vavasour were on a secret mission. They were traveling east, trying to find out if British soldiers could be sent through the mountains. This was to protect British interests in the western part of the Columbia District. Sir George Simpson, who was the Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, had encouraged their trip.

However, Warre and Vavasour reported that the mountain passes were not good for moving troops. They wrote that it would be "quite unfeasible" to transport soldiers and supplies through such difficult mountains and forests.

Course of the River

The Cross River starts in Kootenay National Park. This is on the western slopes of the Continental Divide in British Columbia. The river generally flows south and west. It collects water from the Mitchell River before it finally flows into the Kootenay River.