PACIFIC COAST, YAKUTAT TO ALSEK RIVER. 87 
worked in a desultory way by several parties, but without material 
success. Prospectors who have explored the valley of the Alsek 
report finding "colors" at several points in the canyons. Aside 
from these somewhat unpromising occurrences there is no evidence 
of the existence of gold deposits in the district. 
It is stated that there are green stains indicative of copper in the 
canyon of the Alsek just above the main forks; but nothing is known 
of the value of the deposit. The slates of the Yakutat series along 
the front range also contain abundant small nodules and stringers of 
iron sulphides which probably contain a small percentage of copper. 
A large vein of this mineral is reported to have been found last sum- 
mer on the shore of Russell Fiord and a claim has been staked for the 
purpose of developing the property. Specimens of the ore appear to 
be chalcopyrite, and as the deposit is locate! at tide water it may 
become valuable if sufficiently extensive. 
A large portion of the coastal plain east of Yakutab was staked out 
in oil claims some years ago, evidently on the supposition that it is 
similar geologically to the plain near Controller Bay. There is not, 
however, the slightest indication of the presence of oil-bearing rocks 
in the district, and the claims are now abandoned. 
POSSIBLE ROUTES TO THE ALSEK VALLEY. 
At present there seems to be no easy way of reaching and exploring 
the valley of Alsek River. Nevertheless, there are several routes 
which are feasible, although some of them are more or less dependent 
on the season of the year and the condition of the glaciers. 
From Dry Bay. — Alsek River can be ascended in small boats from 
its mouth only in time of low water. In the months of June, July, and 
parts of May and August the lower canyon, 20 miles from its mouth, is 
usually impassable. At these times the river fills this canyon in the 
Coast Range from the front of the Alsek Glacier, which forms one wall 
of the canyon, to the precipitous cliffs of rock on the opposite bank. 
Although difficult, it is possible even under these conditions to drag 
boats up along the west bank ; but the almost incessant falling of rocks 
from the cliffs renders such an undertaking eminently perilous. It is 
said that when the river subsides in the autumn a gravel bar is uncov- 
ered and boats may be hauled along this without special danger. 
Once above this canyon, the navigation of the river appears to involve 
no great difficulties — at least as far as the abandoned settlement of 
New Hamburg. 
Across the glacier from Yakutat. — In 1898 parties of prospectors 
reached the Alsek by crossing the ice fields from Russell Fiord. They 
landed from boats in Northeast Arm and carried their outfits up the 
moraine of the south branch of the Nunatak Glacier. After reaching 
the bare ice they were able to sled their baggage about 40 miles, over to 
