Pass Finder

North Kootenay Pass

  • 2057 m (6750ft)
  • Naming History
  • Peaks and Rivers
49.4000N 114.5666W
Province: Alberta/BC
Park:
Year Named:
Named by:
Named for: The Kootenay Indians are said to have frequented South Kootenay Pass and perhaps this one as well.
Mountain (NW):
Mountain (SE): Hollebeke Mountain
Headwaters (NE): Carbondale River
Headwaters (SW): Pincher Creek

The pass was traversed by Thomas Blakiston of the Palliser Expedition in August, 1858. Blakistons report details his travels through the pass and he mentions that a railway through the pass would be quite feasible. He did not thoroughly look at the route through the Crowsnest Pass having been advised by the natives that, "it is a very bad road and seldom used." He returned to the prairies via South Kootenay Pass.

In September of 1858 John Palliser, who had reached the Kootenay River Valley via North Kananaskis or possibly Elk Pass, returned to the prairies via North Kootenay Pass.

Visit http://www.ourheritage.net/INDEX.HTML for interesting information regarding Blakistons trip through the pass.