Pemberton Pass facts for kids
Pemberton Pass is a special place in British Columbia, Canada. It is also known as Mosquito Pass. This pass is the lowest point between two big river areas: the Lillooet River and the Fraser River. It is located near Birken, British Columbia. The pass connects the towns of Pemberton and Lillooet.
Pemberton Pass is a valley with steep sides and a flat bottom. It sits next to Mount Birkenhead. This valley separates the waters of Poole Creek, which flows into the Lillooet River, from the Gates River. The Gates River starts at Gates Lake (also called Birken Lake) at the top of the pass. From Gates Lake, the water flows into Anderson Lake and Seton Lake, eventually reaching the Fraser River. The pass is about 505 meters (1,657 feet) high.
A Historic Route
Pemberton Pass was very important during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. This gold rush happened when British Columbia was first being formed. The pass was a key part of a travel route called the Lakes Route or Douglas Road.
- Pemberton Portage: This was another name for the pass during the gold rush. It was also known as the Long Portage.
- Short Portage: This was a different section of the route, located at the end of Anderson Lake.
A wagon road was built through the pass during these times. Even after a new road, the Cariboo Road, was built farther east, the old wagon road through Pemberton Pass was still used by local people. Today, this old road is part of the route that connects Mount Currie (on BC Highway 99) to D'Arcy and Nequatque at Anderson Lake.
The Railway Through the Pass
The valley of Pemberton Pass is also used by a railway line. This railway was first built as the Pacific Great Eastern Railway. Today, it is part of the Canadian National Railway system. The railway helps connect communities and transport goods through this historic area.
