ALASKA AND ITS MINERAL RESOURCES 153 



which extend halfway across the river from the western bank, 

 producing a decided riffle. On the east side, however, the water 

 is comparatively smooth and safe. Below this the river is prac- 

 tically free from rapids and navigation is unimpeded. Fort Sel- 

 kirk, where the Pelly and Lewes unite to form the Yukon, is 65 

 miles below. Thence it is about 95 miles to the mouth of White 

 river, 10 miles further to the mouth of the Stewart, thence 22 

 miles to Sixtymile river, and 45 miles further to Dawson, at the 

 mouth of the Klondike. 



Dallon or Chilkat Pass route. — This is an overland route follow- 

 ing a direct course, more or less independent of waterways, from 

 the head of Chilkat inlet to Fort Selkirk. It has been used by 

 J. Dalton, a trader, for some time as a pack-train route and for 

 driving in cattle, but little is definitely known of its geography. 

 It ascends first the Chilkat and Klahoela rivers, crossing the pass 

 in 45 miles at an elevation of 3,000 feet and thence descending 

 into the drainage of the Tahkeena river at Lake Arkell. From 

 Lake Arkell the trail is said to pass over an undulating plain, 

 well timbered in the valleys and with grass on the slopes. The 

 distances from the head of the inlet are given as 75 miles to the 

 watershed and 100 miles to Dalton's trading-post ; from there 

 to the Pelly the distance is 200 miles, or 300 miles in all to the 

 Pelly, and 350 to 400 to Fort Selkirk. 



The Stikine route. — By this route one travels by boat from Fort 

 Wrangell 150 miles up the Stikine river to Telegraph creek, and 

 thence, a little to the west of north, 150 miles to the head of Tes- 

 lin lake. The ascent of the Stikine river is tedious and some- 

 times dangerous, the current being swift and rapids numerous. 

 It is, however, the route that was followed in former days by 

 miners going to the Cassiar district. From Telegraph creek to 

 Teslin lake the trail is said to pass through a gently undulating 

 and well-timbered country which presents no obstacles to the 

 building of a railroad. Lake Teslin is said to be about 80 miles 

 long and bounded on both sides by high mountains. From its 

 foot down to the Lewes runs the Teslin river, which is navigable 

 except for two small rapids, one near its head, the other further 

 down. In its lower course the Teslin spreads out into many 

 channels, occupying a total width of two or more miles. This 

 route appears promising, but is as yet only prospective. 



The Taku route. — This route ascends the Taku inlet and river 

 and crosses directly to Lake Teslin or Aklen, a distance of 185 

 miles from Juneau. Thence it is identical with the Stikine route. 



