Simpson Pass facts for kids
Simpson Pass is a special place located high up in the mountains, right on the border between two Canadian provinces: Alberta and British Columbia. It's like a natural gateway through the Ball Range mountains. This pass is 2,107 meters (about 6,913 feet) above sea level!
Simpson Pass is also very close to the popular Sunshine Village ski resort. It was named after Sir George Simpson, who was an important explorer. He first traveled through this area way back in 1841.
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What is a Mountain Pass?
A mountain pass is a low point or gap in a mountain range. It's often used as a route for people or animals to travel from one side of the mountains to the other. Imagine a big wall of mountains; a pass is like a natural door through that wall.
Simpson Pass and the Continental Divide
Simpson Pass is especially important because it sits on the Continental Divide. The Continental Divide is like a giant line across North America. It separates which ocean the rain and melted snow will eventually flow into.
- On one side of the Divide, water flows towards the Pacific Ocean.
- On the other side, water flows towards the Arctic Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean.
Simpson Pass is the lowest point on the Continental Divide near Mount Ball. This makes it a key spot for understanding how water flows across the continent.
Where Does the Water Go?
The water that falls as rain or snow on Simpson Pass takes very different journeys depending on which side of the pass it lands.
Water Flowing to the Pacific Ocean
On the British Columbia side of Simpson Pass, which is part of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, water flows west.
- It starts in the Simpson River.
- Then it joins the North Simpson River.
- Next, it flows into the Kootenay River.
- Finally, it reaches the mighty Columbia River, which carries it all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Water Flowing to the Arctic Ocean
On the Alberta side of Simpson Pass, which is part of Banff National Park, water flows east.
- It starts in Healy Creek.
- Then it flows into the Bow River.
- The Bow River joins the Saskatchewan River system.
- This large river system eventually empties into Lake Winnipeg.
- From Lake Winnipeg, the water continues its journey north to Hudson Bay, which is part of the Arctic Ocean.
It's amazing how a single mountain pass can be the starting point for water traveling to two completely different oceans!
