Robson River
Encyclopedia
The Robson River is a short but swift, rapid and waterfall-infested river
in Mount Robson Provincial Park
of British Columbia
. It is a tributary of the Upper Fraser River
and it originates near Robson Pass, which divides the Robson River & the headwaters of the Smoky River
drainage. There are three lakes along the river’s course as well as four waterfalls.
, which is located at the toe of the Robson Glacier
. After exiting the lake, the river flows northwest then southwest before entering Berg Lake
. Before entering Berg Lake, the river widens and splits into many small streams before flowing into the northeast end of Berg Lake.
, a 150 foot plunge at the head of a short (1.6 km long) but impressive canyon that sees the river thunder over 2 more large & powerful waterfalls. The first is Falls of the Pool, which comes about halfway down the gorge and at the end of the canyon is White Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall that cannot be seen in its entirety from the main trail. All these falls are collectively known as the Valley of a Thousand Falls. The river continues south from White Falls for another 3.3 km before entering Kinney Lake
, which sits directly at the base of the Robson River’s namesake peak, Mount Robson
. Between Berg and Kinney Lakes, the river loses 2185 feet of elevation, much of which is lost in the gorge between Emperor & White Falls. Once again, prior to entering another lake, this time Kinney, the river spreads out very wide & divides into many braids before flowing into the lake.
and about 1.7 km above the mouth of Swiftcurrent Creek. About halfway between Kinney Lake & the Fraser is Knowlton Falls, the first waterfall seen on the Berg Lake Trail. About 0.6 km above the Fraser, the Yellowhead Highway
crosses the river.
In total, the river loses 2852 feet of elevation between Robson Lake & the Fraser River, ¾ of which is lost between Berg & Kinney Lakes.
Not everyone chooses to go all the way to Berg Lake though. Some will settle with a much quicker but still satisfying trip to Kinney Lake. Bikes are permitted all the way up to Kinney Lake and a ways beyond. Part way down the shore of the lake is a bike lock-up. From here, anyone continuing to go further upriver has to go on foot.
The Berg Lake trail also gives hikers looks at the Robson’s waterfalls. Knowlton Falls is seen about halfway between the trailhead & Kinney Lake while hikers can stare into the canyon at White Falls & Falls of the Pool as the trail climbs toward Berg Lake.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in Mount Robson Provincial Park
Mount Robson Provincial Park
Mount Robson Provincial Park is a large provincial park in the Canadian Rockies with an area of 2,249 km². The park is located entirely within British Columbia, bordering Jasper National Park in Alberta. The B.C. legislature created the park in 1913, the same year as the first ascent of Mount...
of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. It is a tributary of the Upper Fraser River
Fraser River
The Fraser River is the longest river within British Columbia, Canada, rising at Fraser Pass near Mount Robson in the Rocky Mountains and flowing for , into the Strait of Georgia at the city of Vancouver. It is the tenth longest river in Canada...
and it originates near Robson Pass, which divides the Robson River & the headwaters of the Smoky River
Smoky River
Smoky River is a river in western Alberta, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Peace River. The descriptive name refers to the presence of "smouldering beds of coal in the riverbank" noted by the Cree Indians....
drainage. There are three lakes along the river’s course as well as four waterfalls.
Robson Lake to Berg Lake
The Robson River begins in Robson LakeRobson Lake
Robson Lake is an unofficially named glacier-lake located at the toe of the Robson Glacier. The lake is the source of the Robson River. The Robson exits at the lake’s north end while the Robson Glacier feeds the lake at its south end. The Robson, after exiting the lake, soon splits into many...
, which is located at the toe of the Robson Glacier
Robson Glacier
The Robson Glacier is the primary source of the short Robson River, one of the uppermost tributaries of the Fraser River. Located on the British Columbia-Alberta Boundary and the Continental Divide to the east of Berg Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park, it sits on the northeast flank of Mount...
. After exiting the lake, the river flows northwest then southwest before entering Berg Lake
Berg Lake
Berg Lake is a lake on the Robson River just below the river's source located within Mount Robson Provincial Park, at the doorstep of the north face of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. It is partly fed by the Berg Glacier....
. Before entering Berg Lake, the river widens and splits into many small streams before flowing into the northeast end of Berg Lake.
Berg Lake to Kinney Lake
The river exits the southwest end & flows west for about 2.3 km until dropping over spectacular Emperor FallsEmperor Falls
Emperor Falls is the largest and best known waterfall on the Robson River in Mount Robson Provincial Park. It is located a short distance downstream of and southwest from the outlet of Berg Lake.- Stature :...
, a 150 foot plunge at the head of a short (1.6 km long) but impressive canyon that sees the river thunder over 2 more large & powerful waterfalls. The first is Falls of the Pool, which comes about halfway down the gorge and at the end of the canyon is White Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall that cannot be seen in its entirety from the main trail. All these falls are collectively known as the Valley of a Thousand Falls. The river continues south from White Falls for another 3.3 km before entering Kinney Lake
Kinney Lake
Kinney Lake is a lake located in Mount Robson Provincial Park of British Columbia, Canada. The lake can be reached by following the Berg Lake Trail for 4.2 kilometres. The lake is an expansion of the Robson River & is located about halfway between the river's source & its mouth.- References :...
, which sits directly at the base of the Robson River’s namesake peak, Mount Robson
Mount Robson
Mount Robson is the most prominent mountain in North America's Rocky Mountain range; it is also the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. The mountain is located entirely within Mount Robson Provincial Park of British Columbia, and is part of the Rainbow Range. It is commonly thought to be the...
. Between Berg and Kinney Lakes, the river loses 2185 feet of elevation, much of which is lost in the gorge between Emperor & White Falls. Once again, prior to entering another lake, this time Kinney, the river spreads out very wide & divides into many braids before flowing into the lake.
Kinney Lake to the Fraser River
The Robson exits Kinney Lake at its south end and flows southwest for about 7.3 km to its confluence with the Fraser, about 3.5 km below Overlander FallsOverlander Falls
Overlander Falls is a waterfall on the Fraser River in Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. It is popular for kayakers. The falls are reached by a short walking trail which starts on the Yellowhead Highway east of the Mount Robson visitor centre.The waterfall is named for the...
and about 1.7 km above the mouth of Swiftcurrent Creek. About halfway between Kinney Lake & the Fraser is Knowlton Falls, the first waterfall seen on the Berg Lake Trail. About 0.6 km above the Fraser, the Yellowhead Highway
Yellowhead Highway
The Yellowhead Highway is a major east-west highway connecting the four western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Although part of the Trans-Canada Highway system, the highway should not be confused with the more southerly, originally-designated...
crosses the river.
In total, the river loses 2852 feet of elevation between Robson Lake & the Fraser River, ¾ of which is lost between Berg & Kinney Lakes.
Hiking
The main hiking trail in the area is the Berg Lake Trail, which begins at the Yellowhead Highway near the mouth of the Robson. It goes all the way to its namesake lake, where the trail splits into more trails. Reaching Berg Lake is usually a multi-day trip. However, it is possible and it is done in a single day by some.Not everyone chooses to go all the way to Berg Lake though. Some will settle with a much quicker but still satisfying trip to Kinney Lake. Bikes are permitted all the way up to Kinney Lake and a ways beyond. Part way down the shore of the lake is a bike lock-up. From here, anyone continuing to go further upriver has to go on foot.
The Berg Lake trail also gives hikers looks at the Robson’s waterfalls. Knowlton Falls is seen about halfway between the trailhead & Kinney Lake while hikers can stare into the canyon at White Falls & Falls of the Pool as the trail climbs toward Berg Lake.