Note the North-South orientation of the mountain ranges and water systems. Transportation entry from the South was much easier than from the North due to lower and less rugged terrain and access via the river valleys. Access from the east or west presented particular problems. The only break in the generally formidable series of mountain barriers was the relatively low Crow's Nest Pass through the Rockies. (In fact, until recently, the only decent road between Grand Forks and Rossland involved a long detour south via Kettle Falls in Washington.)
