Diary, 1910, of trip with George and Samuel Mixter to Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Montana, North Dakota and Washington

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Orig. No. Sex Name Locality Date 1974 - Zonotrichia coronata Ispatseezeh River Aug. 12, 1910 (12 1975 ♂ Lagopus lagopus " " " " 1976 " " " " " " 1977 " " " " " " 1978 ♀ " " " (near head) " 13, " (13 1979 im. " " " " " " 1980 ♀ " " Tue-tan Lake, near head Tsa-Ka-Dzoo River " 15, " (15 1981 " Canachites " " " " 20, " (20 1982 - Otocoris Mts. near head ChapaÂton " " " " 1983 ad.♂ Anthus " " " " " " 1984 ♂ Lagopus r. " " " " " " 1985 " " " " " " 1986 " " " " " " 1987 " " " " " " 1988 ♀ " " " " " " 1989 - " leucurus " " " " 1990 - " " " " " " 1991 - " lagopus " " " " 1992 ♀ " " " " " " 1993 " " " " " " 1994 ♂ Zonotrichia leucophrys Trib. of Finlay River, 20 mi.W. Thudade Lake " 22, " 1995 - " " " " " " 1996 - Bartramia " " " " 23, 1997 - Falco Thudade Lake " " " " 29, 1998 - Passerella " " " " 31, 1998-a ♂ Canachites " " Sep. 1, " 1999 - Passerculus " " " " " " 2000 ♀ Ixoreus " " " " " " 2001 - Penthestes hud. Head of Ingenika River " " " " 4, 2002 - Perisoreus " " " " " " 2003 - Lagopus " (Mts. near) " " " " 6, 2004 - " " " " " " 2005 - " " " " " " 2006 ♀ " " " " " " 2007 " " " " " " 2008 ad. " " " " " " 2009 ♂ Bonasa Ingenika R. above S. Fork " " " " 16, 2010 " " " " " " 2011 ♀ Canachites " " " " " " 2012 ♂ " " near S. Fork " " " " 17, 2013 ♀ " " " " " " 2014 " " Lower Ingenika River " " " " 20, 2015 ♂ Bonasa " " " " " " 2016 " " - 1-1/4 lbs. " " " " - 1-1/2# 21, 2017 " Canachites " " " " " " 2018 ad.♀ " " " " " " 2019 - Dryobates Fort Grahame " " " " 24, 2020 - Picoides arcticus " " " " " " 2021 - " am. " " " " " " 2022 - Perisoreus " " " " " " 2023 - " " " " " " 2024 - Junco " " " " " " 2025 - Planesticus " " " " " "
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Wednesday June 12. To east of Wood Mt. the Capt. Darenports rancherly and took the road northward toward Wood Mt. about seven miles from the ranch. We passed a point where we saw some Arches and a furnather's cotter Brick. At this point we crossed the Canadian line Northward We crossed successively around 1 and 5 and 20 Mani Poplar Rivers, and crossed pinne highs almost level plateaus. well grazed and with roses, Potentilla fruticosa symphonicarpo. Meridies serulata. finally we began to find the ranches with some hazelbush cherries etc. going in them and descending we found a pine grove of fair sized aspens with a few ash We descended to the ranch of Mr. Knoll situated on the border of a broad groovy valley through which a branch of the poplar, coming from the west, flows. Here we found out that we were about 20 miles, East of Wood Mountain, having moved the fork of the road which led off many trails took. We had dinner here and then went northward toward Wood Mt. East. about 7 miles west we passed the ranch Charles Frank, and as it was nearly 6 o'clock we concluded to stop for the night. Near a big spring came sit on the hillside, about it on a steech northern slope grows a thicket Prunus, Symphonicarpo, Crataegus, Juniperus sabina, Elaeagnus argentia. Potentilla, with a thick undergrowth of herbaceous plants and ferns, which were collected. On the hills grow the usual plants. Amelanchier, Ribes, Rubus strigosus and the Iris segis are not uncommon. Meridies serulata was a flower Potentilla is abundant one. The High Plains everywhere.
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20 For H. J. Robertson, Provincial Mineralogist J. Kermode. Wednesday Jun 29 Victoria Had a long talk with Mr. J. Thomason, Manager of Mt. Biscoe, and made some arrangements. There are Many conflicting reports that we hardly know when to go. The region N.S. & Naplata is said to be a very poor game country and there are hardly any sheep in the Cabinet range. That we will go to Telegraph Creek and work southeastward, perhaps to Edmonton. Thursday Jun 30 Victoria (We) bought supplies, tents, bags, etc. and provisions, also films and many other odds and ends. Friday July 1. Victoria Dommm day, and nothing doing. Stayed at Victoria until evening and then took Escharmer for Vancouver. Harry brought tickets for James Roberts and Wrayfield Robertson. Robertson tells me that there are sheep on Mtty. 10 or 12 miles south of Peace River, west of the Big Canyon. 21 Saturday July 3. Vancouver Finished arrangements with William Thompson. He tells me that there are plenty of Sheep in the Lillooet Mtts., and that they are practically identical with the animals of the southern Cascades or S. B.C., but are different from, though closest to the Rocky Mts. sheep. The Miners got little credit with the N.T.A. Co. We got aboard the Steamer Orcaion May, in the morning and she left about 11 o'clock or a little later. Sunday July 3. Inside Passage Steened all day up the Inside Passage. There seem more snow on the Mt. tops than there ought to be at this time of year. Dec 7 for Carbon Nov. 1958 2. L. Dolan's West Side Vines Luce, look for shales, sandstone and and quartzite, light gray rock from distinct mounds. blue and shales lighter belly white non graph that thoroughly stratified
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Monday July 12 To near Bloodman Canyon When car tried to start we found there was something wrong with the shaft clutch, and found a casting broken. Spent a good part of the day fiddling with it and got them work on. Just before camping time at Troke down again and the boat was carried against a punkin stub and a hole broken in her. We huddled every thing ashore and reached the boat for Orphan Euphrypria cadadenum, and Arachne sting skin. Observed today. The Former Common is called Dog Berries by the Indians (Saw Nibburun Janaiform in front (small & green). The fruit faint seen. Friday July 12r Near Bloodman Canyon Remained in camp nearly all day, working on the engine. The rain was nearly continuous. Saw Lupinus at camp. About 6 we got the engine fixed and started on. We had made only a short distance when we broke down again we replaced the broken part with an improvised part, and after going a short distance camped just before dark. Saw Rubus (long white flowers) at Camp also Lupinus. Euphyppra Sedum, Ponio, and 2 second undergrowth. Wednesday July 13 To near Clearwater We made a good start and made fair progress against a very strong current in passed through the Bloodman Canyon and a few miles above there. Grant Mule, group up the western channel just above Bloodman Canyon we saw ashore for the first time and a short distance above they become common. We past. Kirk's ashore at the left (east). bank about 3:30 and look across, a man named Conover, who lived just above in the opposite side. Conover
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Monday July 18 Telegraph Creek Join a few small specimens and meet them at Spirit Bush day out, outfit and making arrangements for the next train Tuesday July 19 Telegraph Creek Shot a few birds and put them up and worked about arrangements. Wednesday July 20 Telegraph Creek Look some birds including kernel not before seen. In the evening made a trip to a pond a couple miles. Each visited Sawmill pond. About it were many frogs if a kind new to me. I collected 2 good-sized ones. In the pond were many leeches and small insects some of which we collected. Thursday July 21 Telegraph Creek Made final arrangements to start tomorrow. Did my tricks and closed up all equipment. Got the horses across the river Friday July 22 To 3 miles Southeast We took our stuff across in a large Canoe shortly. Horses had wandered and there was some delay in catching them. We had dinner and got away about 3:15. We made the first Camping place about 5 miles out and had to stop there as there was no other place for a long way. We ascended about 500 feet in this distance, and at our campfire, Still in Canadian Zone as at Telegraph Creek. I saw my new plants of Consequence Rubus crinitus was common as soon as we got out of the paddy. I point to the open in flowers of the thistles. At our camp, the ash poplars are common, the aspen more so. The pines have apparently been left behind. Lepidoptera here still seen at camp. Sheep used to be found on a out close to our camp 10 miles from Telegraph Creek. Dan Bimm tells me that the Tukumi triple at his cache 150 miles up from
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Telegraph on May 22. About 25 Selenia and Black Grouse, wuatation not written, highest prices $600, average prices about $300. Best Marten in this Country are taken on the Diket. We want to make trial with the table of Siberian Marten The Selenia from Nelson River post ascends to Lacconie and by making a short portage descends a branch of the Muddy and thence reaches NORTH. Mackinaw, Moon in the 2nd Meridian came about Christmas 1908 from the Mackenzie. Thirty accidents on the Trail Nahanni when she discovered the remains of Nichersi brother, who had been murdered by the Metis. From the head of the Nahanni she crossed through the lake country across the heads of one or tributaries and descended the Nylund to the Liard. Arctic Fluents were fairly common at Telegraph Creek in the spring Saturday, July 23. 3 miles south One of the horses corred not as farms and after a long search we discovered him nearly dead, with his foreleg through his bell straps. We tried to bring him around but he was too much exhausted. We can abridged to get another horse as went into town to make arrangement. News about horses from Nylund & Co. Had a talk with A.F. Bellbreath about sheep. He tells us that 9 stone grades into O'Fannini at Nahanni, 50 miles farther north all are O'Fannini. O'Fannini at Nahlin. One stone about Cleamato River, the nearest front to coast. 8 stone at Medames Creek and 16 251 miles N.E. Fannini at Athlin. Frolin Lake stone also at head of Nano. Learneyci Miss Specimen called #2 miles south of Telegraph Creek. Field Miss Specimen called in Nits opposite Glenora George and I spent the night at Telegraph Creek
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Durran July 24 To Buckley Lake Creek (Men-cho-ti - Brig Lake Streek) 10 miles on Telegraph Line from Fil. Creek 8 miles Got back to camp. Early and as the horses we had engaged did not come we put the loads on our 7 horses and went on The way with the horse porters us. at 5mile Lake a few miles beyond. The trail ascend the valley through fine many spruce woods and crossed a nearly broken rocky spur opposite the high hill. from south across a deep gorge the valley of South Fork -(Mestee) Then we descended and went through a succession of muskegs and through poplar flats for some miles, striking into Telegraph Trail. and following it to our camp in the creek. The country is all Canadian but Hudsonian begin on the hills a little higher San Anton at many places along the Trail. Ledum groenlandicum common in the muskegs also a small willow almost prostrate yellow Castilleja common Lupinun att- Potentilla fruticosa Common Monday July 25- To Men-cho Lake (9 miles) We went up the stream on which we were camped but at a little distance from it, and crossed a succession of poplar ridges with muskegs between them and through many spruce woods to Musko Lake which we reached about 4.30 We passed Ptucker Lake on left the middle of the afternoon, a small kind bordered with grass & some spruce woods. and beyond a smaller manly pine flat on our right Looked on specimen until dark Saw Eriophyllum nigrum in some of the muskegs and some Cassiope Tetragona as much. Betula glandulosa Roses, Rubus arizonensis (old) - Potentilla fruticosa
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38 Friday July 26 To Ashcroft Trail (6 miles) Near E end Buckley Lake The morning was rainy and we made a late start. The falls were as castly. Crossed parallel to Buckley Lake but at some distance from its other. We had a long rod trail and led to Death? many swampy places. Came a small fork on our left where I saw a fairly J Halboll grates points and his gang at mouth. Small though Bow yellowtops. Took a long specimen, Saw a Muckrat here. We made only a few miles and camped at the junction of the Ashcroft Trail for as a little below the east end of Buckley Lake which will be at either end. At this point Lallbreath creeks from south to north. East of Buckley Lake lies a long North bank ridge and beyond it across the Dart Fork lies an immense mountain called Sheep Mountain with immense areas above timberline and capped with snow. Larry Martin caught up with us. 39 Wednesday July 27 To (spent 12 miles) Crowning N 2nd Death Fork of Stikine 8.15 to 3.30 Asembled an early start and took to Ashcroft Trail after a few miles 2 Pine and Poplar woods, some of the Lutta trees being of good size. We reached a Cueva Bed and crossed it at a distance of about 2 miles. I was apparently worked with Murray River. We found on our left a long ridge, bare on the summit. Beyond the Cueva bed we descended through a few stones forks and then through a ?truce and still descending reached the 2nd Smith Fork where we camped. Took our baggage across in a canoe which we found there. Saw Salmo mykiss in a small tributary near our camp and took two. Says a riverine comp close to the bank. It seemed to closely touch the water, but seemed almost to swim on its surface with only slight ripples. Saw Recus zyl and its one taken at Telegraph.
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Thursday July 28: 2nd S. Fork We crossed the rimi and got the horses across all right. We got away at 7.30. In followed the contour sometimes hard to climb the hill because of the high rate army the trail. We found several families of muffed grione in the valley and shot a 9. The Trail finally left and crossed a very high ridge and then descended a steep meloni and passed through a many spruce forest, where I took a photo the from niches the main stream again and then ascended a tributary a few miles, where we camped at about 6.30 with tent in it and a small camp. From here south we have the best run yet of a big Mt. Shep Mt. (Mt. 14,325) (relating to the traverse east) of the Indians (Oakhams) This is S. of Buckley Lake and is not the same as the Shep Mt. of the S. Fork. I see the snow on it. Tells me that there are no bears in Chief Mt. but used to be many but sheep and goats as on a smaller Mt. just across, the alpine was as on. But saw 36 goats in one band [illegible] shot by Simons about 10 miles Friday July 29: To Head Joa-git Creek We put a good start and made a good day reached near the head of the creek, on which we camped. Our camp lay at first on the top of the poplar ridge which bordered the valley. Then we descended out after a few miles crossed the creek and then traversed on a narrow money valley. Thence the trail entered a forest of pines with a pond, a small lake which was full of Trout. Salmon my kind of which we caught some. The lake is called La-Tee-Three Twenty Fresh Lake. A mile five beyond we camped on a plain and poplar flat, with good feed and close to the once-called Mito. We saw two wolves in the valley of the Joa-git. Dan Dorman tells me that he saw 15 wolves in one day at a Ranch in the Stekens about 100 miles up from Telegraph Creek. about 15 miles near Head Iskat
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Saturday July 30 Regain about head q. I start to near Reddipar We got away on good time and ascending a gentle slope for about a mile, passed the between two small lakes, the head of the streams on which we were encamped. Then we went on Through a piece of beautiful grassy glades bordered by young poplar woods and with small sinks in thin Tullos. Beyond we ascended through a very rank growth of wild rhubarb and other Labaccon plants. This led passed over a succession of spruce poplar covered ridges and through a series of misty valleys and then through an extensive trail that caused near the head of a small creek. Populus balsamifera of fair size rooted nicely to the device for our night Camps. We came about 15 miles. Mainly though Hukomen After we had a lunch, Bob Abesta and I made a trip to the top of the mountain opposite our camp. Larry & Samuel also made a hunt in the same direction. We went nearly straight up on the ridge reaching Timberline and about 500 feet above our camp. Died at the top of the first ridge 600 feet feet higher. We met for William, 1 Telegraph Creek with an Indian, Leon. They reported no game but and I went on down into a little valley where then were several Lakes in one quarter. I shot some Barons Goldings. From its ridge beyond we looked across the heat of a deep gully and on a spry bank near the summit of the gully ridge nearly a thousand feet above we saw a Bull Caribou. By my down. We went around the gully and climbed a a point near him and found him on another bank. and I killed him at nine, 30 yards. He came out get him to get up and my first shot went about 300y on his back. The next one struck him but too far back. He walked with difficulty. If the arms and my next shot dropped him. We stunned him quickly as a wild Wind and taking the head and some meat we started back at 6:00 Nancy camp at 11 P.M. We took many flavor on the mountain camp. Sam also got some. They saw no game I saw white tailed Stormym on The MCK and one Porcupine and 9 goals
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Sunday July 31. To Klappan River 7 miles We spent the forenoon attending to specimens and got away shortly after noon, and made about 8 miles, reaching the Klappan about 5.30 On our way within a couple of miles of the Klappan we passed a strip of spruce and sloughs, the head of the Dekut. All the lakes about our last camp were tributary to the Dekut. We saw little of interest along the route. The Klappan is an crossing place or about 75 yards wide with a swift current. Its banks are will wooded with Spined (sk?) and Aspen, with a sprinkling of Balsam Poplar. A good page back the moral shrubs We got the horses across in Thirty Saw many Piro just before camping Do see us that we burned elders grow on the Spotizga about 50 miles up and on Hocatgile Lake On the divide between the Frances west of Triggers Falls, and the Kelly are Many Caribou family, showing that many migrate. There are some in the summer. Probably come from Hyland, Caribou at 40 miles come north in November. Return in March and April at the head of the Kuskokwim. Some of the caribou are resident. Others come in in the winter. Near the head of the Kantishna are many moose, bull sheep & caribou on the Hyland. 50 miles up at mouth of Twenty Creek are moose, woodland Caribou on the Barren hills. Black bear. On the Muddy or Turnagain up the Walker Creek 50 mile to Walker's Lake there are goats & sheep all through. We also about the head of the Muddy. On Iset - a m which rise tributaries of the Muddy and little Muddy and one tributary of the Stikine. There are many sheep, moose and caribou in summer. Caribou leave the summit in November and descend to the Stikine. The moose are about Timberline in summer descend in autumn, Muddy and other rivers. Have gone in rounds and sandbars in spring on Muddy and Stikine and work back up the Metsa as vegetation advances
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50 Saturday Aug. 6. Nts near Klahhah Meadows We started away early for a hunt for sheep on the Nts to the NE Bergrs and I with Larry followed a N-sately, turbulany from couple of miles and then ascended a valley to Timberline through a beautiful grassy valley where lived many Marmots and ground squirrels. From the head we crossed over the head of another valley rising in a sort of basin and from here discovered 2 mnts which lying down on the side of a mountain in its basin. We waled them sometime to see if they would descend to feed back they finally ascended a higher ledge and lay down. George and Larry then descended and shooting to Mt. climbed it or its further side and George shot the larger one. I ascended another higher one beyond and saw about a dozen Caribou lying on the snow fields, but no more sheep. Though I saw a great many Flocks. Saw also a white-tailed Thermigan. From the summit the Arctic summit extended in every direction as far as the eye could reach. I scanned on the mountains until nearly Summit and then made my way to camp, as found that Sam, who with Bob had ascended another mountain had shot his fair-sized sheep (Woodrats about Timberline) 51 Sunday Aug. 7. Wp Klahhah Valley We spent the forenoon at specimen and in the afternoon moved up the initially fork of the Klahhah about 5 or 6 miles and camped. On our way we found several small fishes on our left. The Trail following the right hand side of the valley Saw a willow Thermigan and Saw shot at. Saw a good hoary Marmot and ground squirrels near our right camp which is near Timberline through in the valley
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58 Sunday Aug 14. To Fur-Tan Lake We left camp about 10 o'clock and soon crossed the height of land and went about 4 miles in a W.S. direction. Then the valley turned abruptly to the East and we followed it in nearly a straight line. We soon descended onto a broad level grassy plain a couple of miles wide, absolutely without trees or bushes except when it was cut by the stream along which grass and willows grew. It was flanked on either side by high mountains, bare except for a few hundred feet near the valley. We followed this for 5 or 6 miles and then went through a succession of pine-covered ridges to near the first of a series of lakes, where we camped. The stream followed the base of the western flank of the Principal Head Branches of the Stickney and is called Isakadzoa by the Indians. San Frocks. Sheep move Carbon and Solodes. Many marmots and ground squirrels about 15 miles 30 Monday Aug 15. To Hot-Les-Lue Lake The horses went back on the track and it was afternoon before we got them. In the meantime I made a trip down to the lake. Found that several Indian families had camped here a long time in the spring. Found a broken canoe on the lakeshore, with a piece of large sunshades wet that a number of boats. After dinner we left and followed an easterly course down the valley, keeping to the north of the river and camping on a small beam lake just west of Hot-Les-Lue. We followed Indian trails part of the way and crossed several small creeks. Saw several porcupines on the trail and one young Caribou on the mountain to our left. The valley is bordered on either side by Mt's Tricky above Timberline, and is 4 or 5 miles broad about 7 miles
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60 About 12 miles Tuesday Aug 16 To Telaw Hot [illegible] We made a [illegible] start and soon reached the Lake which we skirted on its northern shore. Near it lead we found a camping place where there were two Indian groves beyond we followed the beach to near its outlet and then across a succession of swampy plains and willow grown swamps, and camped about 3 miles below the lake, where we intend to cross the stream, its outlet. This Lake is famed for its fish Lake Trout which fact gives it its name. On the ridges near its northern shore grow many aspens and Pines, the latter the first seen since leaving the Klappan we saw no fish today Vicia alba Parnos [illegible] name Ritula glandulosa Willow Daisphora Red Castilleja Crowns Yellow also seen. North act eastward from Hattlesbury the Conglomerate out began About 13 miles Wednesday Aug 17 To near Indian Village We set off early and after getting across the river, we found than an Indian Trail followed down its northern bank evidently leading from the Corss end of Hattlesbury. we followed it all day going close to the stream in an easterly direction about mid afternoon we cut across and struck the Corss part of a tributary from the south, which we ascended still on the trail we camped on at about 5 miles from its mouth. A fair few of camp pines come white spruce, also common Much of our course today through pines. We went through gramy and willowy prairies. Caught some Grayling in the main creek about Noon Many signs of bear seen today Red squirrel Chipmunks More and Caribou Tracks
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72 Saturday August 27. To Pan east of lake We intended to raft the river but found it fordable just above our camp so crossed the horses. Took the trail on the east side and followed it in a S.E. direction. It passed through a scattered pine forest and then along several deep, grassy valleys, and then climbed the mountain side soon reaching nearby to timberline. Then we entered a broad open pass running nearly East and West and went down to northern border. Mountains border it on either side. Those to the south being much the higher. It was grassy and abundant with long dry grassy mazes which were full of groundhog burrows. We saw no caution on either side and few tracks in the valley. Some tracks of moose in the following 12 miles 78 Sunday Aug 28. To. Thuthade Lake We got away in good time and went eastward along the southern border of the valley down towards the deep valley to the east. We quickly crossed to the southern side of the creek, which left the pure in a deep canyon-like valley, and picked up the Indian Trail which we had lost in the open pass. It led southward and seemed to be heading for the head of a long narrow lake which occupies the valley below. This we suppose to be the lake at the head of the valley, and as we went to cross it at the outlet of the lake we decided it was best to abandon the trail and make for the lower end of the lake. We made several miles through a brush about 25 years old and came shortly before sunset beside a creek within a mile or two of the lake. I saw Ribes and amelanchier in the brush also Lepaygyra
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76 About 4 miles Wednesday Aug 31. To Outlet Thuthale Lake We could not feed the old Horse (Phil), and after a long hunt looked for other horses and went on making another effort to find him. Reached the foot of the lake about noon. Dan caught up with us, not having succeeded in feeding them. We found the Sunday uncomfortable at the outlet and so made a raft and ferried across a narrow place a quarter of a mile above the outlet. It was camping time when we finished. We found the white cahm of a prospectors at the outlet. Rainbow Trout were numerous. Saw a number of birds. Not seen before for a long time Canton and more tracks along the shore white spruce a tree which we cut for a raft 13 miles at the base had 2.35 annulus mps. It was about 50 feet high 77 8 miles Thursday Sept 1. E Side Thuthale Lake We looked up a trail from the foot of the lake southward through a valley which lies a mile or two east of the lake, and making a late start made about 5 miles southward and camped on a pine clad ridge. The flies were very bad, worse than we have had them at any time. Our course lay along dry ridges grown up to medium pined pines and spruces and along marshy spots. We saw traces of what we suppose to Robertson's Trail but it is not well marked. Lepidodendron, Veticaden, Dablocus, Alnus Empetrum, Abies (on Mt. Felt) dwarf buck Arctous, Arctostaphylos vaccinium. (two species in fruit) Rubus (seeds as collected) Saw signs of Neshima on the rocks near the south end of Thuthale Lake bear
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Tuesday Sept 6. Across Mts to Dingenika. Left our camp near the Diggings and followed around the Mt side but on account of canyons had to climb nearly to the summit and lost some time in the afternoon we followed the ridges and valleys above the timber and finally came down the side of a broad grassy valley and camped just below timberline across the Dingenika, whose valley here and for a long way up as far as we could see from the Mts. was tunnel over. We saw several perches of Mr. D. Plummer on the high rocky ridges and 4. shot a couple of Rock Ptarmigan from a flush. Also some W Tails. The day was cold and partly cloudy. Many Lipti on the Mts. H. Marmot fairly common. Burrow of Ground squirrels. I saw a few signs of Caribou. moths, etc. on the mountain. A lodge pole pine at our morning camp near timberline was 8 feet high 4 inches in diameter and had 72 annual rings. Chipmunk taken above timberline. Wednesday Sept 7 To N. Fork Dingenika We made a late start, having to star horses etc. and going down into the Brule we followed down the valley of the Dingenika all day and camped at sunset at the junction of the N. and the main Fork. The woods at timberline are almost entirely Abies subalpina while in the burnt place black and white spruces, and lodge pole pine had been the principal trees. We came down many hundred feet today. Near our camp the Lodgepole pines are very tall and a good size and Balsam poplars 12 feet in diameter. Saw Capnoides sempervirens. We took 3 or 4 Porcupines during the day. Both males and large. The larger weighed 28 lbs. Peter Jensen told us that a boy killed one season 200 porcupines during the mummy excitement here a year or two ago. Carleton crew fairly common that were killed at that time.
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Wednesday Sept 28. Friday Run We pushed up and left Fort Grahame late in the afternoon in a balsam poplar slough a new canal but very heavy We made good time and. Camped at dark persons miles below. The valley of the Trinklay is broad and the banks of the river are well wooded with white spruce, balsam poplar and a little larch. The hills bordering the valley are not high. Fort Grahame timberline, but behind them are high peaks reaching far above timberline and now covered with new snow, as are also the higher timbered hill. There are many drift piles on the river bed the bases and signs can be seen to have been made by the silt carry duck drift piles Heard ruffed grouse drum in the evening Thursday Sept 29. To near Copica R The morning was rainy and we made a late start. We paddled against a head wind all day and camped at dark on the left bank a short distance above the mouth of the Omence The valley has gradually deepened and toward evening we passed no low poplar covered flats which are so characteristic of the river about Fort Grahame. The banks are steep and when not disturbed by landslips, are generally well wooded with spruce and balsam and aspen poplar large size We saw many small flocks of surf scoters and shot a Tundra for food. Saw recent Cuttings of Beaver. Saw a red squirrel swim the river at a point where it was about 100 yards wide. This tree floated dry and his head was held well above the surface. On shore, the bank he shook himself once or twice and camped away.
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Friday Left 30. To Mth Parentip River We got away in good time and soon passed the mouths of the Orphica and a little blvmd Ha Omenien. The banks became closer after we passed through the straight stretch with some low poplar covered was Several high cut banks once Passed and a number of Clay slides. We had a head wind most of the day, but beyond evening it calmed. We followed the main river all the way as the slough which cut off a long bend was choked with driftwood We reached the junction of the Pindley & the Parentip about 5.30 and camped on the north side of the level at this point. The Pindley Rapes are just below San coral bury at camp in the morning Beaver Saturday, Oct. 1 To below Barnard River Made a good start and soon reached The rapid, going down, on the north side of the river. The rillain which is represented on Davenports Map as dividing the rapid is now entirely above it, having been washed away nearly one half apparently. We Portaged our stuff along a trail which passed through the alders and willows at the valley's edge - about 3 1/2 of a mile, and let the boat down close to the shore with The help of a line in one place. Had dinner just before starting down from the foot of the rapid. About 3 o'clock we passed three men who were intending to Fork and had come in from Fort George. After a short confab- we went on and camped at dusk on the north bank a short distance above Barnard River. Vicked now seems to Carry lime and has colored the rocks at its mouth...a whitish color. Mt Selwyn rose ab
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108 Depth, from the river bank. We looked over at carefully with the glass hoping to see a sheep but without success. It was still capped with new snow. As seen all the surrounding Mts above Timberline. On the north side of the river the Mts seem like lines and are avoid of Trees to quite a low altitude. In one a very large deh cave was visible perhaps about a thousand feet above the river. Near it was a sharp ridge with a hole through it. At the base of Mt Selwyn we saw a black bear but it escaped into the brush before we obtained a shot. Elaeagnus angustifolia is common in suitable places, and Echinopanax grows luxuriantly in certain spots. A short distance up the slopes of Mt Selwyn. A little old snow was seen in the ravines 109 Sunday Oct 2. To Ottertail River. We left camp between 9 and 10 and paddled down the river. We passed a number of small creeks and two large ones. The current was clearwater. Several riffles were seen, one of them quite a bad one, about the middle of the afternoon we passed the "Palfar" Rapid where we portaged about 100 yards or more and let the boat down on the left side. Boulders were common here and I took a few. The rapids is caused by a ledge of rock which crosses the river and is quite formidable. The drop is so sudden that it cannot be seen until one is near but we heard it plainly. After crawling up we eddied below we went on and soon passed the Ottertail River a good sized stream on our left. The valley is wider and we left that high mountains this morning. The day was cloudy with some rain
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Day Oct 7. Tak a few mammals in my traps and spent the forenoon hunting for specimens and food. Saw a red fox about 1/2 mile west of the Park. In the early part of the afternoon the Students Bay Team arrived from St Johns in charge of E.H. Taylor, the post manager. He had met George and Dan yesterday morning and gave me a message. We had arranged so that I can go down in a day or two. Mr Taylor gave me the following confirmation regarding game animals. Mule Deer are sometimes killed in the nearby Nats. About 50 were killed at once on the Nats near bend Muddy Fork in Dec. 1904. The larger broadhead caribou has been seen never than the mouth of Lower Blow Lake River. Beasts used to be found in this Nats just west, but have been mostly killed off. Marmots appeared in this High Nats near the river just above The Portage. They are abundant about Faurier's Pass. He has killed a white tailed (Stornigan) at Peace River Portage in midwinter. Mule Sheep have been found in the Nats a short distance north of the Portage. 5 were thus until last winter having been spared by the Indians to increase, but were drawn out of the region by wolves. The Nats not being tough enough to afford them security. They are abundant in the region of the Faurier's Pass and in some Nats north of Clear River not being far off from the Portage (at the point Big Ross). Elk have been killed just across the river but not in recent years. one was killed 9 years ago. Timber wolves were very common 20 winters ago. They killed about 14 head of horses.
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Saturday Oct 29 To Arremaw River We left soon after daylight, foraging a small creek. Then camp where some Indians were fishing. The road went then followed for a few miles through a meadow and then through woods. The left came out into a small prairie which the road forked the right hand road leading to Dava River Settlement. The left was ours and our team took Surmehim which we follow is a general way through open grassy fields for several miles and then a couple of miles through woods to the cabin, where we forded and had dinner, broke the neck yoke and had To repair it. In the afternoon we went on through woods and then struck to lake again and after shooting a wood bay came to another river. In attempting to cross at its mouth we got stuck and had to unload and camp in the willows. The day was milder than yesterday. Sunday Oct 30. To near 9-mile Creek It was nearly noon before we got the wagon out. Then we went up the creek to the lower end of an Indian where our driver, John Park spent last night. He was sick and unable to go further but had arranged to have the Indian take us through to Sawridge, where we will make other arrangements. It was mid-afternoon before we could get away. Then we followed the road which ran through a wet meadow for several miles and then skirted the very shore of a bay for a couple miles, where we camped - at dark. The day was fine and mild and the night clear and cold. We saw large numbers of Canada geese on the lake along our route.