70 FORTYMILE, BIRCH CREEK, AND FAIRBANKS PLACERS, [bull. 251. 1 
.... 
creeks, and by another season the conditions in this respecl will prob- 
ably be improved. 
Mining operations which men hesitated to undertake during the 
winter of 11)03-4, on account of lack of supplies, were frequently j 
postponed during the last season to the winter of 1904-5 on account J 
of the bad roads and consequent high freight rates. The rates, how- 
ever, were reduced somewhat until during the later part of the season I 
the summer rates varied from 10 to 20 cents a pound from Fairbanks 
to the different creeks. The winter rates are about one-quarter the 
summer rates. 
It was reported that material for a railroad, to be built either ! 
from Chena or Fairbanks, was shipped in by one of the last boats 
from Dawson. A road adapted to the conditions could apparently 
be built quickly and would prove of much benefit. 
A telephone line was in process of installation and was reported to 
be in operation before the end of the season. The work in connec- 
tion with this project had been done in a very substantial manner. '] 
The line was well cleared of brush and timber, the poles were solid 
and well placed, and when the district was visited the wires were I 
being strung. 
The results attained in the Fairbanks district have stimulated 
prospecting throughout the Yukon-Tanana region. Gold has been 
found in widely scattered localities, but not necessarily in quantities 
of economic importance. Work was in progress above Fairbanks on 
tributaries of the Tanana from both sides and in the foothills of the I 
southern side of the Tanana Valley 40 to 50 miles south of Fairbanks. 
A stampede was under way to the southern limit of the Yukon 
Flats, where prospects had been found on a tributary of Beaver ! 
Creek; coarse gold had been found on Ester Creek, a small tribu- 
tary of the Chena River, about 4 miles from Chena, and a small out- 
put was reported from this creek, but production has been confined 
thus far mainly to the same creeks — Pedro, Cleary, and Fairbanks — i 
which were producing gold in 11)03. The following description of 
these creeks includes only the most general geographic and geologic 
facts and is concerned chiefly with the economic development. 
GEOGRAPHIC SKETCH. 
Pedro Creek. — Pedro Creek is formed by the union of small tribu- 
taries sunk deeply within the inclosing ridges. The main creek has 
a southwesterly course, and Gold Stream, its continuation, flows in 
the same direction for several miles, then bends toward the west and 
several miles farther joins the Chatanika. The distance from its 
sources to Gilmore Creek, the most important tributary from the east, 
is about 8 miles, and the name Pedro is confined to this upper por- 
tion. The valley of the main creek is open and has a depth of about 
