- Yellowhead Pass
Infobox Mountain Pass
Name = Yellowhead Pass
Photo = CNR Yellowhead.jpg
Caption = CNR GP9 climbing in the Yellowhead Pass
Elevation = convert|1110|m|ft|0
Location =Alberta /British Columbia , CAN
Range =Canadian Rockies
Coordinates = coord|52|53|33|N|118|27|50|W|type:pass_region:CA|display=inline,title
Topographic
Transversed by =Yellowhead Highway &Canadian National Railway Yellowhead Pass (el. 1110 m.) is a
mountain pass across theContinental Divide of theCanadian Rockies . It is located on the border between the Canadian provinces ofAlberta andBritish Columbia , and lies withinJasper National Park andMount Robson Provincial Park .Due to its modest elevation and gradual approaches the Grand Trunk Pacific and
Canadian Northern Railway s both built their mainlines through the pass circa 1910-1913. It had been previously recommended by Sir Sanford Fleming as a potential pass across theRocky Mountains for the earlierCanadian Pacific Railway . This proposal was rejected, largely for political considerations, in favour of a more direct and southerly route through the more difficultKicking Horse Pass .It is believed that the pass is named for Pierre Bostonais (nicknamed "
Tête Jaune ", French for "Yellow Head"), anIroquois -Métis trapper employed as a guide by theHudson'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 successorCanadian National Railway still runs its mainline here. The pass is now also traversed by theYellowhead Highway .External links
* [http://www.ourroots.ca/e/toc.aspx?id=6263 Yellowhead Pass and its People. Valemount Historic Society]
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