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".
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01.(km00.0,1050m) START-END EAST:
Jasper
02.(km26.0,1130m) TOP: Alberta - British Columbia
boundary
03.(km27.0,1130m) Yellowhead Pass. Some maps mark
the pass here
04.(km57.0,1020m) east end of Slave Lake
05.(km68.8,1050m) west end of Slave Lake
06.(km86.2,830m) START-END WEST ALTERNATE: Mount
Robson trailhead / visitor center
07.(km103.0,740m) START-END WEST: Tete Jaune Cache |
Approaches
From West. The major attraction along the pass is
near the beginning of this approach, the sight of Mount
Robson. This peak has the highest elevation gain from its
base ( called prominence ) of any peak in the entire Rocky
Mountains, approximately 3000 meters on the south side, not
far from the highway. At 3954 meters (12972ft) Mount Robson
is also the highest mountain of the Canadian Rockies, even
though there are higher peaks to the west in the coastal
ranges.
But back to the road - whatever climbing on there is to be
done to the pass, immediately follows that initial scenic
smorgasbord. After that the top is broad enough to contain
the waters of a lake several miles 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 often more of a factor than grade, while on a ride
to the top. Impressive peaks float by in the upper field of
vision. The pass sign is located on the Alberta - BC
province boundary. But the road seems to keep on climbing
ever so slightly and then stays nearly flat for many miles.
Some maps mark the pass a short distance within British
Columbia.
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.
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 (Cateye 100AT m3:04.07.21-22).
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