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Yellowhead Pass
Yellowhead Pass is the lowest continental divide crossing in the
Canadian Rockies. A major traffic artery is the result, but not
quite as major as one might expect at first. The pass is also a
great cycling route between Alberta and British Columbia. This is
one pass where the major attractions are on either end, while
crossing the top is relatively anticlimactic. More details about a
ride and the history of Yellowhead Pass are here,
under the heading "almost but not quite - the history of
Yellowhead Pass".
Approaches From West. The major attraction along the pass is at its
very beginning of this approach. The highest mountain of the Canadian
Rockies, Mount Robson, is directly next to the route (1st picture).
Whatever climbing there is to be done to the pass follows that initial
scenic smorgasbord. The top is broad enough to contain the multimile
long Slave Lake. The water divide is still further east. The second
picture is taken on the broad summit area near Moose Crossing, a short
distance off the paved road.
From East. On this side also, the most popular attraction is
on the bottom, the town of Jasper with its surrounding scenic
attractions. The grade is so gentle that wind is as much a factor as
grade, while on a ride to the top. Impressive peaks float by in the
upper field of vision (3rd picture). The pass sign is located on the
Alberta - BC province boundary. But the road keeps on climbing ever so
slightly and then stays nearly flat for many miles.
Tours Dayrides. An out and back ride from Jasper to the flat
summit area as far as Moose River Crossing measured 75 miles with 2050
feet of climbing over 4.4 hours, using a Cateye 100AT. An out
and back ride to the same destination from the opposite direction,
starting in Tete Jeune Cache measured 80 miles with 3800 feet of
climbing in 5.2 hours, using the same setup (m3:04.07.21-22).
back to a roster of bicycling passes 
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