The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-09

oRCA. ALASKA, Feb. e1.-WIthin the
past week the yaldes glacier has improved
so greatly in condition FOR travel that a
general movement to the interior has be-
gun Ten days ago an exploring party.
travelling light. returned from the interi-
or after four days absence. They made
the trip from the timber on the other side
OF the range 10 the head OF the bay IN
fourteen hours Contrary 20 the general
idea, the Naldes glacier is but fifty feet
above sea level az this end and has d
gradual. easy rise TO the summit. seven
teen miles distant. averaging but 100 feet
10 the mile. The descent on the other
side is but a triie more OF a grade. Ac-
cording 10 recent reports, 1t Is about one
weeks trip over an easy route 10 the
southern end of the Sickle bend OF the
Copper river. where il Is easily navigable
for small craft
Despite the snow. considerable prospect
ing is being done at various points on
Prince william sound, and several par
ties claim 70 have come across satisfactory
indications OF paying lodges. They viii
remain In the vicinity until spring before
going TO the interior.
Many who have been attempting the
passage Of the river direct from its mouth
are now seeking other routes. The fact
has been proven, which has been ever
maintained by old settlers here conversant
with the conditions, that that route Is
impractlcahle IL not absolutely impossi-
bic. II is only during short and varying
seasons that IL is al all feasible TO al
tempt II.
The Portage bay route 10 the placer
dlggings on Cooks inlet Is being used by
old settlers IN that section returning 10
their claims, as well as by new prospee-
tors. IL offers the shortest route 10 sun
rise City. and the only winter route 10
points on Turnagain arm and the country
north Of there.
Abou, four miles 10 the eastward OF the
Valdes glacier, at the extreme head OF
Naldes bay. the Vald@s or Little river
comes down from the mountains Follow
ing up the course Of the river on an easy
grade for about thirty miles a narrow
high ridge Is encountered. which preCludes
the passage by trail TO the other side OF
the range but Il is the route already par
tally surveyed which has been selected
as the best to the interior by a railway
company Incorporated at Phoenix. Ariz..
last fan whose represent ative. Senator l..
T.. Greenlaw has been on the ground since
December Il looking after their interests.
They propose tunuelng through the ridge.
reaching thereby j stretch OF country
gently uudulating through which railway
CONSTRUCTION VIII ~ NOtsR4i 1EiktEf easy Z.
IL is claimed that Naldes bay. being over
two hundred miles nearer Dawson than
pyea, gives az, immense advantage over
the latter point from which TO begin rail-
way construction. The .act OF its being
an aN-American route and much nearer
10 all points on the Yukon below Dawson
IS strong argument in It's favor. The
contour % the southern coast of Alaska
seems 70 many to indicate the fact that
ultimately Prince william sound will be
the initial point OF the permanent devel-
opment Of the district
While no definite strikes have yet been
made on the Copper river. every individu-
al prospector IS enthuscd with the idea
that he Is in the van. and. II not able 20
make the first big md. Will be In the
company OF those who do. Many are
looking also for copper. specimens OF
waieh have been brought from the inte-
rior by the SILK Indians and In a couple
of instances by white men. Before next
fan. Il is safe to assert that the Copper
river district Will furnish good news to
a waiting world. II. +. ALLEN.