Fraser Pass

{{Short description|Mountain pass in British Columbia, Canada}}

{{infobox mountain pass

| name = Fraser Pass

| photo = Fraser_Pass.jpg

| photo_size = 250

| photo_caption = Source of Fraser River at Fraser Pass

| elevation_m = 2015

| traversed =

| location = British Columbia, Canada

| range = Canadian Rockies

| coordinates = {{coord|52|30|59|N|118|16|04|W|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_ref=

| topo = NTS {{Canada NTS Map Sheet}}

| map = British Columbia

| map_caption = Location in British Columbia

}}

The Fraser Pass is a mountain pass in the British Columbian Rockies of Western Canada. Its summit is {{convert|2,015|m|abbr=on}} above sea level. Although immediately adjacent to the Continental Divide, the pass does not cross it; rather, it bridges the drainage basins of the Fraser River and Columbia River, both Pacific-draining rivers.{{cite bcgnis|4375|Fraser Pass|2021-10-24}}

The pass is drained to the north by the Fraser River, and a dripping spring just west of a pond at Fraser Pass is the source of British Columbia's longest river. The south side of the pass is drained by Hugh Allan Creek, which flows into Canoe Reach, the north arm of Kinbasket Lake that is the reservoir behind Mica Dam on the Columbia River. {{cite web|url=https://bivouac.com//PassxPg.asp?PassxId=1015|title=Fraser Pass|website=bivouac.com|access-date=2021-10-24}}

Fraser Pass is difficult to reach. Access by foot requires about {{cvt|40|km|mi|0}} of bushwhacking from the Yellowhead Highway near Lucerne Campground. The most feasible access is by a 25-minute helicopter flight from Valemount. Beautiful British Columbia Magazine first identified the source of the Fraser River during an expedition to Fraser Pass in 1985.McGill, Bryan and Poon, Linda editors (1986). The Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada. A special publication of Beautiful British Columbia magazine. {{ISBN|0-7718-8373-0}} Group tours by helicopter to the source of the Fraser are offered every few years by Wells Gray Tours.