Yellowhead Pass
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Yellowhead Pass | |
|---|---|
 CNR GP9 climbing in the Yellowhead Pass |
|
| Elevation | 1,110 metres (3,641 ft) |
| Location | Alberta/B.C., Canada |
| Range | Canadian Rockies |
| Coordinates | |
| Transversed by | Yellowhead Highway & Canadian National Railway |
Yellowhead Pass is a mountain pass across the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies. It is located on the border between the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and lies within Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park.
Due to its modest elevation and gradual approaches the Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern Railways both built their mainlines through the pass circa 1910 - 1913. It had been previously recommended by Sir Sanford Fleming as a potential pass across the Rocky Mountains for the earlier Canadian Pacific Railway. This proposal was rejected, largely for political considerations, in favour of a more direct and southerly route through the more difficult Kicking Horse Pass.
It is believed that the pass is named for Pierre Bostonais (nicknamed "Tete Jaune", French for "Yellow head"), a Métis trapper employed as a guide by the Hudson's Bay Company. Bostonais led one of the first expeditions for the company to the interior of B.C. through the pass in 1820. Although the Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern Railways are both now defunct, the successor Canadian National Railway still runs its mainline here. The pass is now also traversed by the Yellowhead Highway.
