Fraser Pass facts for kids
Fraser Pass is a special mountain pass located in the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia. It sits high up, about 2,015 meters (6,611 feet) above sea level. Even though it's very close to the Continental Divide, Fraser Pass doesn't actually cross it. Instead, it connects the areas where water flows into two different big rivers: the Fraser River and the Columbia River. Both of these rivers eventually flow into the Pacific Ocean.
Where the Water Goes
The northern side of Fraser Pass is where the mighty Fraser River begins. A small, dripping spring just west of a pond at the pass is the very start of British Columbia's longest river. Imagine, a huge river starting from just a tiny drip!
The southern side of the pass drains into Hugh Allan Creek. This creek flows into a part of Kinbasket Lake called Canoe Reach. Kinbasket Lake is a large reservoir, which is like a giant lake created by the Mica Dam on the Columbia River. So, water from Fraser Pass ends up in both the Fraser and Columbia Rivers.
Getting to Fraser Pass
Fraser Pass is quite a challenging place to reach. If you wanted to hike there, it would mean walking about 40 kilometers (25 miles) through thick wilderness from the Yellowhead Highway. This kind of hike is called "bush-whacking" because you have to push through a lot of trees and bushes!
The easiest way to get there is by taking a helicopter. It's about a 25-minute flight from a town called Valemount. This shows how remote and wild the area is.
Discovering the Source
The exact source of the Fraser River at Fraser Pass was first officially identified in 1985. This happened during an expedition by a group from Beautiful British Columbia Magazine. They explored the area to find where this important river truly begins. Sometimes, special group tours by helicopter are offered to visit the source of the Fraser River. These tours are a unique way to see where one of Canada's most famous rivers starts its long journey.
