The Llano colonist. [volume] (Llano, Calif.) 191?-1937, 1922-06-17

the rev park. but there are probably
well over 5000.
Great herds of caribou or wild rein
deer are. to be seen as many as
1900 al once. Most Of these herds
frequent the bare gravel bars, where
the strong winds afford some relief
from the attacks by flies and mos
quitoes. Other herds range on the
high rugged mountain ridges, and
several large droves have been OBJ
served far up on the glaciers well
toward snow-line, seeking a little
respite from insect pests.
In other parts of Alaska caribou
at fines appear in huge edroyes as
they migrate from place to place, but
they stay only short time in any one
locality In the Toklat basin and in
the vicinity of Muldrow glacier, how
ever the caribou are at home, and
they remain there throughout the sum-
mer to rear their young.
There is abundant indication that
this is a permanent range. Deeply
worn trails form veritable labyrinth
along the stream flats, and bedding
grounds. old and new, occur every
where The miners from the Kantish
ma report that caribou may always be
seen in great numbers on this range.
There is a striking difference be
tween the actions of caribou and those
of the bighorn sheep when surprised
by man. A sheep, once aroused, knows
exactly where he wants to go, and
usually starts, without a moments hes
itation, on the shortest route to some
rugged mountain mass. He may stop
to look around and appraise the
danger, but he is sure to follow the
route he first chose.
Moose Are Plentiful.
Moose are very plentiful in certain
parts of the new park, but are not SO
commonly seen as sheep and caribou.
AS their food supply consists of will
low and birch twigs and leaves and
the succulent roots of water plants,
they stay much of the time in tim
bered and brushy areas, where they
are inconspicuous.
The hest moose country in this re
gton lies in the lowlands north of the
main Alaska range, outside of the
boundaries of the proposed park; but
some moose are to be seen within the
park lines, and doubtless more of them
will take refuge in this game preserve
when they are more vigorously hunted
in the neighboring regions.
| There are some black, brown and
grizzly bears in this district, but the
bear hunter has much better chance
of obtaining a hide in other parts of
Alaska than he has here.
The new park lies almost entirely
above timber-line. Trees grow along
the valleys of the main streams to an
elevation of about 5000 feet above
the sea-leyel, but the timbered areas
comprise only small fraction of the
whole. The only trees Of Importance
are the spruce, birch and cottonwood,
and none of these are large. The best
patches of trees afford logs big enough
/ for making log cabins, but there is
no merchantable timber In the park.
Willow brush and some alders grow
! somewhat farther up the valleys than
the trees and enable the camper to
find fuel for his fire in some areas
where trees are lacking.
The completion of the new govern
ment railroad makes the park imme-
diately. accessible. The railroad line
runs within few miles OF the east
park line. On leaving Seattle one can
then plan to reach Seward or Anchor
age within a week, spend single day
on the railroad to the park station,
and in another day or two, by saddle
horse, penetrate well into the park and
into the midst of Its game herds.
With completed wagon road built
from the railway, 1t should be an easy
half days journey of so miles by an.
tomobile from the railroad to the cen
i ter of the park, the whole route ira
versing mountains of wonderful scenic
beauty and teeming with big game.
AT the western terminus of the wag
on road there will some day be hote
for the accommodation OF tourists and
mountain climbers There, below the
terminus of Muldrow glacier, in con
slant view of the mighty snow-clat
monarchs to the south, one will bC
able to find complete rest in the grand
est of natural surroundings, or VII
have close at hand tasks of mountain
climbing that will tax the resources
of the sturdiest. Few, regions offer thu
inducements to the mountaineer tina
can be found here.