John R. Giscome

John R. Giscome

Crossing the Portage by Richard Estell. Oil on canvas, 2002.

Prospectors John R. Giscome and Henry McDame are considered to be the first two non-native men to cross Lhedesti, (“the shortcut”) between the Fraser and Peace river systems. They were shown the trail by two Dakelh guides in 1863; after Giscome described their journey in an article to the Victoria Colonist the trail gained recognition among Europeans, and the route became known as Giscome Portage.