The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1922-06-22


the new park but there are probably
well over 5000.
/ Great herds of caribou or wild rein
deer are to he seen-as many a.
loo d, once. Most of these herds
frequent the bare gravel bars. where
the strong winds afford some relief
from the attacks nv files and mos
quitoes. Other herds range ON the
high rugged mountains ridges, and
several large droves have been OBJ
served far up on the glaciers. well
toward snow-llne, seeking a little
respite from insect pests. -
In other parts of Alnska caribou
at fines appear I'm huge droves as
they migrate from place TO place. but
they stay only short time In any one
| locality. In the Toklat basin and *
the vicinity of MuIdroW 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 d veritable labyrinth
| along the stream hats, and bedding
=
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 ne wants TO go and
usually starts. without a moments hes
| TRITON. on the shortest route to some
rugged mountain mass. He may stop
70 look around and appra!se the
danger, but he is sure 10 follow the
route he first chose. fAa&a
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
/ tCS VI lit PAORN1'h 49,
some moose are TO be seen within the
park lines, and doubtless more OF them
win take refuge I'm this game preserve
when they are more vigorously hunted
In the neighboring regions. 1G
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. 500. go. 5
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 sealevei, but the tifnbered areas
| comprise only a 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 a 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 a completed wagon road built
from the railway. 1t should be an easy
half days journey of so miles by au-
tomobile from the railroad to the cen
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 hotel
Tor the accommodation OF tourists ana
mountain climbers There, below the
terminus of Muldrow glacier, In con-
slant view of the mighty snow-ciad
monarchs to the south, one VIII De
able to find complete rest in the grand
est OF natural surroundings, or VIII
have close at hand tasks Of mountain
climbing that VIII tax the resources
OF the sturdiest. Few regions offer the
Inducements to the mountaineer that
| can be fOund hero