TROUBLESOME CREEK GROUP. 47 
GENERAL CONCLUSK > NS. 
The rocks of the Baker Creek area are interbedded schistose arkoses, slates, and 
quartzites, with the arkoses forming the larger part. The arkoses and slates arc 
often graphitic. Igneous rocks were found only along the crest of the divide, and 
not in large quantity. When compared with the Klondike or the Nome gold- 
producing regions, the small amount of metamorphism and mineralization and the 
scarcity of quartz veins and stringers are very noticeable. 
The source of the gold is probably local, and the richer placers are generally in 
the vicinity of graphitic phases of the rocks. There is frequently reconcentration 
from older gravels where the streams cut across gravel-covered benches and hill- 
sides. The gold, though generally close to bed rock, is s< >metimes distributed through 
a considerable thickness of gravel and muck. It often occurs in small cryntals, and 
is thus shotty and chunky and easy to save. Large nuggets are rare. It contains a 
large amount of silver, so that its value per ounce is much lower than that of the 
gold of the Minook Creek area, running from $14.88 to a little over $16. There 
are few minerals accompanying the gold, a little pyrite, magnetite, and hematite 
being the only ones noticed. 
The creeks are all small and some have been half worked out or more, but new 
deposits have been discovered each year and more will probably be found. Water 
for working the claims is scarce, and, although some ground which will not pay for 
shoveling in would probably pay for hydraulicking under favorable conditions, water 
in adequate quantity and under a sufficient head can not be obtained without con- 
siderable expense. One of the greatest needs is a good road from Rampart, and 
until that is made supplies must continue excessively high. 
THE TROUBLESOME CREEK GROUP. 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 
The Troublesome Creek group is situated between the arms of the Y formed by 
the divides separating the drainage basins of Minook, Baker, and Troublesome 
creeks. It is 18 or 20 miles southeast of Rampart. Troublesome Creek, rising 
among the hills east of Wolverine Mountain, flows northeast to Mess Creek, a tribu- 
tary of the Yukon. The tributary valleys are often narrow and shut in by hills 
with steep sides and ridges, closely resembling each other, and making traveling so 
difficult that the country has come by its name honestly. 
So far pay dirt has been found upon two creeks, Quail and Gunnison, though colors 
ire found through the gravels over a wide area. 
The rocks include all the varieties present in the Rampart format ion, but slates 
ire characteristic of the upper valley and greenstones of the lower. The slates. have 
been intruded by a variety of igneous dikes^ The creeks have cut benches upon 
:he hills, but to a less degree than in Minook Valley. 
CREEKS PROSPECTED. 
QUAIL CREEK. 
Quail Creek heads opposite Hoosier Creek and flows eastward into Troublesome 
reek, having a length of between 5 and 6 miles (PI. VII, />, p. 42). A large branch 
tnown as South Fork joins Quail Creek about a mile above Troublesome Creel , 
Between the two branches is a gravel-covered bench 400 feet high, upon which 
jolors have been found, and which is being prospected. Parts of this bench occur 
It various places farther up Quail Creek. On the north side of Quail Creek is 
mother bench about 50 feet above the creek, and this too is being prospected. In 
me hole bed rock was reached at 29 feet. There were 19 feet of muck and 10 feet 
)f well- washed gravel. Colors were found all through the gravel, but no pay. 
