Howse Pass, Mountain pass and national historic site in Columbia-Shuswap Regional District, Canada.
Howse Pass is a mountain crossing at approximately 1,539 meters that connects Alberta and British Columbia through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The route runs between Mount Conway and Howse Peak, with water flowing eastward through Conway Creek and westward through the Blaeberry River system.
David Thompson first crossed this mountain pass in 1807 while working for the North West Company, establishing a crucial fur trade route. His crossing opened a new pathway for exploration and commerce between western regions.
Indigenous peoples including the Kootenay to the west and Peigan to the east traveled through this mountain corridor for trade long before European explorers arrived. The pass served as a vital connection between communities on either side of the Rocky Mountains.
The terrain is demanding and requires mountain hiking experience along with proper equipment for changeable weather conditions. The best time to visit is during warmer months when snow has melted and conditions are more stable.
Although this pass is lower than other mountain crossings in the Rocky Mountains, it was not selected for the Canadian Pacific railway expansion. Planners instead chose Kicking Horse Pass, showing that factors beyond elevation determined such major infrastructure decisions.
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