The Young Alaskans in the Rockies

In Short

Emerson Hough’s 1913 wilderness adventure follows three teenage companions—Rob, John, and Jesse—as they journey with their guide Uncle Dick across the Canadian Rockies. Traveling from Edmonton past Mount Robson to the Columbia River, the party navigates swampy muskeg, hazardous river crossings, and mountain passes by horse, foot, and boat. Along the way, they hunt big game, map untamed terrain, and learn the history of early fur traders and explorers. This classic juvenile novel endures for its rich geographical detail, authentic woodcraft, and unvarnished portrait of western Canada’s historic travel routes during the railway expansion era.

The Story

The journey begins in western Canada as Rob McIntyre, John Hardy, and Jesse Wilcox assemble their pack-train alongside their adult leader, Uncle Dick, and their French-Canadian camp hand, Moise. Setting out westward toward the Rocky Mountains, the group faces immediate wilderness trials. The boys learn the grueling routine of morning horse-rounding in dew-soaked grass, fighting dense mosquito clouds, and driving their loaded pack-horses through deep mud and treacherous muskeg.

As they push farther into the mountains along Sun Dance Creek and the McLeod River, the party arrives at the Leavings before ascending the Miette River. Crossing the icy, swollen currents of the Athabasca River requires a combination of horse-swimming and ferry work in a crude homemade wooden bateau. Guided by Uncle Dick’s vast geographical knowledge, the boys cross the continental divide at Yellowhead Pass, taking note of its altitude and boundary markers. Pausing beneath the shadows of Yellowhead Mountain, the young travelers take to the high ridges for a mountain goat hunt, testing their stamina on the steep alpine slopes.

Descending past the majestic peak of Mount Robson, the expedition reaches Tete Jaune Cache on the Fraser River. Here, they encounter historic fur-trade sites and secure the services of Leo, a skilled Shuswap Indian hunter and guide. Transitioning from horses to wooden bateaux, the party navigates down the swift, drift-clogged waters of the Canoe River. Deep in the valley, Leo leads the boys onto mountain slides to hunt big game, where they successfully shoot grizzly and black bears while observing alpine avalanches and glacial snowfields that feed the mountain watersheds.

The final leg of the expedition tests the group's rivercraft on the mighty Columbia River around the remote Big Bend. Guided by Leo and Moise, the boys trek on foot while lining their heavy wooden boats down dangerous rapids, passing historical landmarks such as the old Boat Encampment, Death Rapids, and Priest Rapids. Hearing tales of past rivermen and Chinese miners who lost their lives in the swirling currents, the group exercises extreme caution. Upon reaching a lone wilderness farm managed by an Irishman named O'Brien, they decide to avoid the impassable Revelstoke Canyon. Leaving their bateaux behind, they take a river steamboat for the final stretch into Revelstoke. Reaching town safely, John completes his hand-drawn trail map, and the boys look back on their successful crossing while planning future wilderness explorations.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins Rob, John, and Jesse set up camp, round up their hobbled pack-horses in wet morning brush, and launch their overland trek heading west toward the Canadian Rockies. They struggle against swarms of mosquitoes, clear rough trails, and catch bull-trout in mountain streams to supplement their camp rations.

Across the Athabasca Reaching the rushing, muddy Athabasca River near Folding Mountain, the party uses a rough wooden bateau to ferry their heavy gear while forcing the pack-horses to swim the wide current. They push up the Miette River valley, climbing steadily toward the continental divide.

Crossing Yellowhead Pass The expedition reaches the summit of Yellowhead Pass, marking their position at the boundary post before camping beside Rainbow Lake. Taking a break from trail travel, the boys climb the high cliffs of Yellowhead Mountain to hunt white mountain goats.

At Tete Jaune Cache Passing Mount Robson, the travelers arrive at the historic fur-trade site of Tete Jaune Cache on the Fraser River, where they meet their Indian guide, Leo. They trade their horses for wooden bateaux to prepare for the water routes ahead.

Hunting the mountain slides Navigating the roaring Canoe River in their boats, the party sets up camp near steep mountain slides. Leo guides the boys up the slopes, where they shoot grizzly bears and watch snowslides thunder down the valley.

Running the Columbia rapids Entering the wild Big Bend of the Columbia River, the party lines their heavy boats past hazardous chutes, Death Rapids, and Priest Rapids. They complete the final leg by taking a steamboat to Revelstoke, where John finishes his master trail map.

The People

• Rob McIntyre: The eldest of the three young Alaskans, Rob acts as a calm, observant figure among his peers. He wants to master wilderness photography and outdoor survival, facing tough physical ascents and dangerous river crossings to return home with newfound skills and self-reliance.
• John Hardy: Enthusiastic and inquisitive, John takes on the task of charting their route. He wants to produce a detailed map of the uncharted pass, contending with lost horses, cold rivers, and tiring marches, ultimately completing a permanent record of their journey.
• Jesse Wilcox: The spirited third member of the trio, Jesse eagerly anticipates every new hunting and fishing opportunity. He wants to experience real wilderness adventure, pushing through sore knees and harsh trail conditions to harvest big game and test his endurance.
• Uncle Dick: The experienced adult leader and engineer who organizes the expedition. He wants to guide the boys safely across the Rockies while teaching them practical geography and history, standing firm against unnecessary risks when dangerous rapids or mountain hazards threaten the group.
• Moise: The cheerful French-Canadian camp hand and cook. He wants smooth water and good food, working hard at cooking and handling boats while constantly longing for a lighter canoe over heavy wooden bateaux.
• Leo: A quiet, highly capable Shuswap Indian guide. He wants to hunt successfully and lead the party safely down-stream, using his expert knowledge of bear slides and river currents to guide the boys to their trophies.

In Its Own Voice

"When you have learned the rivers of a country you know its geography, and a good part of its history, too."

Uncle Dick explains to the boys how native paths and river valleys shaped the routes taken by early explorers and modern engineers.

"There isn't much left to mark their passing, even at the old Boat Encampment, but, if you like, we'll go up there and have a look at the old place."

The party pauses near the mouth of the Wood River to reflect on the forgotten fur traders and voyageurs who once traversed the Columbia River watershed.

"Hunderd sixty men drown right here, so they say."

Leo points out the dangerous back-curving roller waves at Death Rapids, reminding the young travelers of the lethal power hidden in the mountain rivers.

What It's Really About

Beneath its adventure plot, the book explores how human geography is dictated by natural topography. Hough emphasizes that modern rail lines and highways do not conquer the wilderness from scratch; rather, they follow the fundamental pathways carved by rivers and discovered by Indigenous tribes and early fur traders. The narrative argues that true outdoor education requires patience, observation, and respect for nature’s hazards rather than reckless bravado. Through John’s persistent map-making, the story highlights the transition from untamed wilderness to surveyed territory, showing how geography converts raw wilderness into history.

Why Read It Today

The Young Alaskans in the Rockies offers modern readers an authentic, detailed glimpse into wilderness travel at the turn of the twentieth century. Hough writes with detailed precision about horse packing, river navigation, and camp routine, giving the narrative an grounded, practical texture. Readers interested in western history, historic travel routes, and outdoor woodcraft will appreciate the book's geographic accuracy and vivid descriptions of the Canadian Rockies before extensive development.

The prose reflects its era, featuring phonetic dialect for background figures like Moise and Leo, alongside period outdoor attitudes regarding big-game hunting. However, the narrative's respect for historical river routes, physical endurance, and environmental observation remains compelling. Reading it feels like sitting beside a campfire with an experienced guide who knows every bend in the river and every peak on the horizon.

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