brooks.]  PLACER   MINING    IN    ALASKA  IN    1903.  59 
This  discovery,  so  far  as  the  writer  is  able  to  determine  its  position, 
must  lie  near  the  district  to  which  the  stampeders  are  now  directed. 
So  far  as  anything  is  known  of  the  region,  there  is  at  least  some  basis 
for  the  opinion  that  placer  gold  may  be  found  in  it. 
White  River  is  navigable  only  for  small  boats,  and  then  only  with 
great  difficulty.  A  small  launch  could  be  used  on  the  Tanana  above 
the  Fortymile  trail  crossing.  The  region  can  be  conveniently  reached 
with  pack  horses  from  Dawson,  Fortymile,  or  Eagle,  but  there  are  no 
trails.  Grass  is  usually  abundant  in  the  summer  months.  White 
River  would  be  exceedingly  difficult  to  cross  with  horses,  except  close 
to  its  source. 
