The San Francisco call., 1897-08-20


Seattle 10 the Klondike by way of Stickeen
River can be made In twenty five days
without any of the hardships that must be
endured by way of Dyea and Skaguay.
He is not positive that all his party will
go as far as the 3 &i)ndike at this time, as
so many decide 10 prospect around Lake
Teslin over winter and go farther north in
the spring. The maj j)r's wife will accom-
pany him on the trip, and as she IS
young wo man Of considerable fortitude
and endurance. having twice climb
Mount Rainier, he anticipates that she
will endure the journey without any great
discomfort
The presence in Seattle during the past
few days of L. L. Bales OF Everett, an old
time trapper, hunter. guide and explorer,
who recently returned from Alaska, has
resulted in considerable talk as to another
way OF reaching the Klondike by way OF
the Copper River. A Anumber of men who
are going north this spring have listened
with much interest to Mr.. Bales descrip-
tion of the country he is so familiar with,
and already some have decided TO try the
route he suggests, with the possiollliy OF
exploring the Copper River country and
then going on the Klondike. HIS idea for
reaching there he described as follows:
II will go from Seattle to Sitka and then
take The steamer Dora for Nuchek, on
Prince Williams Land, 400 miles to the
northwest. From thence l should go to
Orca some forty five miles further up the
Sound, by way of the salmon oannery
tugs which make connection with the
Dora at Nuchek. This brings one within
forty five miles of the Valdeze pass and
some hundred miles northwest OF the
mouth OF Copper River. The remaining
distance to the pass must be covered by
small boats, Indian canoes being prefera-
BILE. So far the route is covered almost
exclusively by salt water. the exception
being few miles of fresh water encoun-
tered just before reaching the pass. VAL
deze Pass is low and comparatively easy
OF ascent. With seventy-ive pound
pack man acquainted with the route can
easily make the trip in three days through
to water connection with the Copper.
The route could be made passab Bile for pack
animals with a very light expense in time
and labor. The pass is far more prefera-
BILE in every way to any old pass on the
coast leading o the interior, and very lit
tie labor will make it fine route for pack
animals.
Il expect it Is by far the lowest pass in
the coast. You are then brought to an
unnamed lake. tributary to and but one
days travel by canoe. or thirty miles, from
Copper River. The point where you thus
strike the main stream is about $50 miles
from its mouth as the river runs. The
canoe journey from the start down is per-
fectly feasible, except in extreme low
water. Very little hardship need be en-
dured thus far, and if the determ ination
be to push on to KIondlke, without paus-
ing to prospect intervening territory, the
route by way of Dyea is as quick S the
Valdeze Pass, although not so short by
$50 NJ lies in direct line. In attem pting
to reach the Klondike via Valdeze Pass
by sIeds one should start in March. so as
to avoid bearing too much to the south
east, where are encountered the foothills
lying to the northeast OF Mount st. Elias.
By starting in June the journey may be
made in canoes 10 the headwa.ers Of Cop
per River, thence across a low divide,
carrying the canoes and packs, and thence
down either Forty mile CT Sixty-mile
very close to Dawson City. While this
latter trip is possibly longer than the Dyea
routes yet the chances are strongly in IA
vor of striking richer placer diggines be-
fore arriving at the head of navigation. l
do not believe that a party starting on
this trip will have any occasion 10 push
across the divide into the valley of the
Yukon.
"You see the Klondike territory is
pretty well covered by prospectors by
| this time, and next spring the rush will
be so great that the chances will be
mighty slim for striking good claim
open for location. Newcomers will be
obliged TO push on farther to the north
east all the way from 200 to 500 miles, and
supplies Will be difficult 10 obtain"
When asked about the prospects of a
| continuation of the gold excitement Mr..
Bales replied:
1.-The rush of the gold-seekers is but in
its incipiency. Another season will wit
ness an army OF at least 100000 invading
not only the valley of the Yukon, but the
valleys of all the streams flowing into the
ocean from Alaskan territory. The vast
extent and richness Of the gold fields war
rant this estimate. To-day the Klon dixie
country is claiming the whole attention,
but the future will demonstrate that the
richest gold country comprises territory
fifty times as large as what is now known
as the Klondike.
The Copper River country alone with
its tributaries is over $50 miles long by $50
miles broad, which makes an area OF
81, 500 square miles. Gold as we'll as cop
per exists in abundance throughout this
| vast stretch of country. judging by all in
dications. l have seen specimens of ore
rich in copper from this country, while
the natives assert that this gold and cop
per abound along the many tributaries to
the main stream. The identical gold signs
are found at the mouth of the Copper
River that first led to explorations of the
Yukon, namely: Great quantities of fine
-four gold psrmeating the mud and silt.
OF course the further up the streams one
goes the coarser must be these particles OF
the yellow metal. Again, Copper River
heads within short distance OF Forty
mile and Si1ty-mile creeks, which latter
are rich in gold placers and which empty
into the Yukon near the Klondike."
ON STEWART RIVER.