Mackenzie's group "took the Parsnip River, crossed the continental divide, and eventually canoed down the Fraser River to Alexandria just south of Quesnel. On the advice of local First Nations people, who guided Mackenzie and his party to the Pacific Ocean, they gave up the river route for an overland one.
Mackenzie's expedition followed the Parsnip River, crossed the continental divide, and eventually canoed down the Fraser River to Alexandria, a location south of Quesnel.  Local First Nations people guided Mackenzie and his team to the Pacific Ocean, leading them to abandon the river route for an overland path.