The Cordova daily times., 1919-12-29

deposits in the lower Copper River valley:
 for which the United States now de- pends on other countries. Its import ance has been shown by the exten- sive uses to which it was put during the war, and consequently the discov- cry of deposits of nickel ore would be welcome additions to the .knowl- edge of fhe mineral wealth of the ~Unitd States. The purpose Of the present investigations of the nickel deposits of Alaska is to accumulate data about the extent to which the United States can be independent of other countries for it's supply of nick el Such data are valuable even il the deposits are never worked, be- cause they may prescribe limits to the monopoly held by other countries. Unless a strong demand for nickel on the Pacific coast should arise through the establishment of indus tries in which nickel is used, the pre- sent known nickel deposits of Alaska probably could not compete, for their nickel content alone, with the deposits of Sudbury, Canada.
 The nickel deposits near Spirit Mountain, in the lower Copper River vailk, were visited in August, 1917, by the writer, who spent about one and a half days in examining the prospects An occurrence of nickel in southeastern Alaska. has been des- cribed in a previous report.
 Location
 The Spirit Mountain nickel deposits are near the head of Canyon Creek, small westward-flowing stream that enters Copper River about 8 miles be- low the mouth of Chitina River. The mouth of the creek, which is nearly opposite mile 121 on the Copper River & Northwestern Railroad, is about 3 miles south of the town of Chitina. Although Canyon Creek is only 12 miles long, it is fed by several gla- ciers and consequently at times car ries much water. Canyon Creek flows northeast for miles and, making a rightangled bend northwestward for the remaining distance. The lower course of the stream lies in the mar TOW box canyon. The principal nick el deposit is on the west side of the creek about 11a miles southwest of the right-angled bend and about the same distance from the head of the creek. The main exposure is on aI steep hillside several hundred feet above stream level, or approximately 4,000 feet above the sea.
 The deposits, though they derive their name from the prominent peak on Copper River known as Spirit Mountain (elevation 7,270 feet), lie about 12 miles east of the peak.
 The claims can be reached from Chitina by two trails. One trail leaves the east side of Copper River at Taral; the other, at a point a short distance below the mouth of Canyon Creek. The Canyon Creek trail is the one most used now, for it is reported to be in somewhat better condition than the Taral trail The Canyon Creek trail is steep, rising 2,00O feet in a little over a mile, but at the time of visit the footing for horses was good in. all except one place. The distance to the claims from the river is about 12 miles. By either trail crossing of Copper River is necessary, but boats and Indian boatmen can usually be hired for the trip. Horses have to swim, as the river is narrow and swift at both crossing places.
 The nearet town to the deposits is Chitina, which lies near Copper River and opposite the mouth of Chitina River, about miles above the mouth of Canyon Creek. Supplies can be obtained at Chitian, or from Cordova, the nearest seaport and the coast ter minus of the Copper River & North western Railroad, 13O miles from Chitina.
 The region is extremely rugged Copper River has an elevation of 4OO| feet just below the mouth of Canyon Creek, but the mountains on either side rise steeply to elevations of 5000 feet or more Many of the streams flow through deep canyons just before entering Copper River 'Lnd most of them are fed by glaciers. Timber line averages, 500 feet above