A RECONNAISSANCE IN NORTHERN ALASKA IN 1901. 



By F. C. Schrader. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Since 1898 the United States Geological Survey has been carrying on systematic 

 topographic and geologic surveys in Alaska under an appropriation made for the 

 investigation of the mineral resources of the Territory. This work has included not 

 only areal surveys of regions already being developed by the miner and prospector, 

 but also explorations and investigations of regions that are little known or entirety 

 unexplored. As a result of these explorations a network of reconnaissance traverses 

 has been extended over a large part of Alaska, where route surveys of this character 

 must necessarily precede more detailed topographic and geologic mapping. The}' 

 serve to outline the main geographic features of the country and afford the pioneer 

 or prospector a guide for his journeys as well as help him to select his field of 

 operations. The present report and maps are the results of such an investigation. 



Previous to 1901 but two journeys a which yielded any geographic results had 

 been made across northern Alaska by white men. The first of these was made by 

 Lieutenant Howard, U. S. Navy, in 1886, and extended from Kowak River to Poiut 

 Barrow, while the second, made by J. H. Turner, in 1890, followed the one hundred 

 and forty -first meridian from the Porcupine. The conditions under which these 

 journeys were carried on precluded instrumental work. The present sur've}' must 

 therefore be considered the first made with precise instruments from the Yukon to 

 the north coast of Alaska. In connection with the traverses made of Chancllar and 

 Koyukuk rivers by Mr. T. G. Gerdine, and of Dall, Alatna, and Kowak rivers by 

 Mr. D. L. Reaburn, both of the Geological Survey, it outlines some of the most 

 important of the physical features and drainage channels of northern Alaska. 



The exploration on which the following report is based was made by the writer 

 during the season of 1901, while attached as geologist to a party in charge of W. J. 

 Peters, topographer. The other members of the party were Gaston Philip, topo- 

 graphic assistant: Thomas M. Hunt, George H. Hartman, Charles H. Stuver, Ben 



a For references and details see pp. 29 and 33 of this report. 



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