and the nights are foggy and damp even in June and
July. Gnats and mosquitoes move to and fro in dense clouds during midsummer,
and add to the many discomforts and discouragements of the region. Life is a
warfare. Fuel is scarce. There is little game, and not many fish. There never
were many Indians in the district—the valley is too inhospitable for life of
any kind to greatly abound. Agriculture is practically impossible. It is likely
to freeze any night of the year. The climate, in short, is subarctic in
character, and in and about Dawson City nearly all the features of the Arctic
Zone are realized. The ice does not go out of the river, even at Dawson, till
late in May or June, and the river closes early in September.
EDMONTON AND PEACE RIVER ROUTE.
Having decided that he wishes to take the risk involved in entering this grim country, the miner must decide on his route. The routes may be divided into two groups: the overland and the seaport. Of the overland, there are at present three: the Edmonton and Peace River route, “the Old Telegraph Trail,” and the Kamloops inland route. The Edmonton route begins at Edmonton, a small town at the end of a northern spur of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and proceeds by way of Little Slave Lake to Peace River, thence across the divide into the valley of the Stikine River to Telegraph Creek and Teslin Lake, which is the head waters of the Yukon. This route is a very long one, and little information is obtainable concerning it. It is undoubtedly practicable, and will be largely traveled by those not in breathless haste to get to Dawson City. It offers abundant fields for prospecting, and is a pleasant summer route. It will take about sixty days to go from Edmonton to Teslin Lake. The citizens of Edmonton are using all means to make this route easy and safe. It cannot be safely used before the middle of May. Pack horses are plentiful, and feed is good from May 15th to November.
THE OLD TELEGRAPH TRAIL.
The second overland route, the “old telegraph trail,” begins at Ashcroft, a small village on the Canadian Pacific Railway,
Click pictures and drawings to download higher-resolution versions.
Original copyrights are the property of their creators or successors, where applicable;
image processing, layout, and presentation here copyright TravelHistory.org.