The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-06
Prospector Describes the Way
Into the Atlin District.
ALL DISTANCES INDICATED.
Heart of the Rich Gold FIELDS II
Only Nfnefy-Ffve Miles from
skagway-Time Enough to Reach
the Country by Starting over the
Aaov January I-Level Timberea
ReGfon with Plenty 81 Grass.



cx.cw.y Alaska Nov. 1--WE LEFT
AtIin City on Tuesday morning, Novempes
IL crossing Arlln lake in small boats. ana
after coming across the portage AZ Iaku
City came down the inlet 70 Goiaeh cate'
on Taku arm. where we made camp for the
night The distance from TINS place 20
Attn City Is thirty miles. FROM IAAu
arm we came over what u cameo Nhe ~n-
tai trail. striking Otter lake, which Is
twelve miles long, about six miles from
Taku arm. Otter lake was still open. anu
we were fortunate enough 10 find an aoan-
doned fat-bot.omed boat used by some
prespecters Last summer In going in TO
Attn, and the wind being favDabie We
sailed 10 the head Of the lake. From the
head OF this lake to Shallow lake, where
we took the Skagway, Or White pass tran,
Is distance Of twenty miles. and from
here to Skagway about twenty-seven miles.
1t will, therefore. be seen that the whole
distance over this route from Attn to
Skagway Is only ninety-five miles.
In two or three weeks time. when Skag-
way river. Summit and Middle lakes, Otter
lake, Taku arm and Atlin lake are frozen
solid. IL viii make one OF the best and
easies. trails that person would wish to
travel over. From where you turn off at
Shallow lake and down to Taku arm is
an easy, gradual slope, and a perfectly
level country the whole distance, and a
two-horse team can easily pull 1900 pounds
after the trail Is we'll broken When VIII
the trail be broken? AS soon as the lakes
and rivers are frozen and the people COM
mence shedding.
The White Pass < Yukon Railroad Com
pany Is at present surveying trail from
Shallow lake to Taku arm over this Fan
tail route and we met several OF the COM
pany's men engaged in such survey la com
ing out. Our party ali carried heavy sacks
and as shedding was not possible, owing 10
the snow yet being soft and no trail
broken, We consumed a day more than We
would have had we been able to use hand
sleds. AS it was. it took four days
coming from Atlin TO Skagway.
l would advise parties who contemplate
going to Atlin to commence shedding their
stun over the Fantail trail after January
l. Loss OF time and needless expense will
be avoided over a sure, quick and easy
trail.
OF course, as was the case last year
with the klondike rush, there are nearby
places already laying claims to other
trails" leading into Atlin. But before
you decide which trail to take, look care
fully over the maps and investigate close
ly II what have said concerning the Fan
tail cutoff is not In accordance with the
truth. Having convinced yourself on this
point. and decided TO take this trail YOU
Will have made no mistake, and will prob
ably have saved yourself a great deal OF
annoyance time and money, and If YOU
are physically strong and have the pluck
of an average man, you viii reach the At
lin gold fields.
The newly discovered district will offer
large field for prospectors next season
| would not advise any man to come with
the idea that ne will find a country as
rich as the klondke. But he will find a
where al Sc 10,
distributed over large area, and il is
notable fact that wherever they have
gone down to bedrock on the various
creeks so far discovered. they have found
paying results, and he will also find a
country possessed OF the most luxurious
summer and autumn climate in the world
with plenty OF green grass and fine fir AMI
pine trees ! speak only OF summer and
autumn. not having spent spring and win
ter there as Yet. but I presume from ev-
cry indication that the climate the res,
OF the year VIII be found to be fully as
equahle. Fritz Miller, the discoverer of
Pine creek. commenced sluiCing in March
of this year. Up to the time / left. No
vember Is, the weather was mild. with
many sunny days even after II had COM
rlenced freezing. | have never witnessed
finer fall weather in any country-oniy
two or three days rain. the rest a con-
tinual Indian summer
Two or three hydraulic propositions are
under way, and with these, quartz min
Ing and placer diggings. predict that the
country VIII be good for a number of
years 10 come.
Several new discoveries will undouht-
cdiy be made this winter and next spring
From reports made by those who started
out ID find the Lost Rocker late in the
fall. crossing the line thirty miles west
from Attn lake into the Northwest ter
rltory. the creeks all show evidences Of
containing gold The season being too
Tar advanced and shortness Of grub and
"A feveriSh haste 10 ind the Lost Rocker"
prevented any thorough prospecting be-
ing done this year