Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1922-04-14

the new park, but there are probably
well over 5000
Great herds of caribou or wild rein
deer are to be seen-as many as
1900 dt once Most of these herds
frequent the bare gravel bars, where
the strong winds afford some relief
from the attacks by files 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 little
respite from insect pests.
In other parts of Alaska caribou
at times appear in huge droves 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 a 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 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 best moose country in this re-
gion 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 hide in other parts OF
Alaska than he has here.
The new park lies almost entirely
above timber-line. Trees grow alonl
the valleys of the main streams to al
elevation of about 5000 feet above
the sea-level, but the timbered areas
comprise only small fraction or thu
whole. The only trees of importance
are the spruce, birch and cottonwood
" and none of these are large. The bes
patches of trees afford logs big enough
for making log cabins, but there i
no merchantable timber In the park
Willow brush and some alders grow
somewhat farther up the valleys thai
the trees and enable the camper Il
find fuel for his fire in some area
where trees are lacking.
The completion of the new govern
ment railroad makes the park imme
: diately accessible. The railroad lin
runs within a few miles Of the cas-
park line. On leaving Seattle one ca
then plan to reach Seward or Anchor
age within q week, spend single da
on the railroad to the park station
, and in another day or two, by saddl
, horse, penetrate well into the park an
into the midst of its game herds.
With completed wagon road bull
from the railway, 1t should be an cas-
. half days journey of so miles by al
: tomobile from the railroad to the Ger
! ter of the park, the whole route trt
{ versing mountains Of wonderful scent
: beauty and teeming with big game.
' At the western terminus Of the wal
!, on road there will some day be hot
, for the accommodation OF tourists an
mountain climbers. There, below tn
e terminus Of Muldrow glacier, In col
1 stant view of the mighty snow-cla
a monarchs to the south. one will ;
I able to find complete rest in the gran'
t est Of natural surroundings, or wi
8 have close at hand tasks Of mountain
! climbing that will tax the resources
!. of the sturdiest Few regions offer II
J. inducements to the mountaineer Thu
n can be, found hera-