2

Hornway Creek Valleys, and pack-trails in various stages of disrepair are
to be found in most of the other major valleys. Once constructed, and
except where damaged by forest fire, landslide, or avalanche, trails in this
district may be abandoned for many years and yet made passable with
little effort. A wagon road was built about 1927 from the Ferguson mineral
claims to Finlay River; it is still in fair condition except for stream
crossings.

Except during extreme low water, Ingenika River is navigable for small
river boats below the mouth of Wrede Creek, and Osilinka River below
Tenakihi Creek.

Almost all parts of the map-area may be reached on foot. In parts of
the most rugged alpine terrain in the southwest, mountaineering techniques
and precautions must be used, and in places travel is most efficient and
safest in roped parties of at least two.

GEOLOGICAL WORK

The first geological work in the area was done in 1893 by McConnell
(1896)1, who mapped the northeastern part adjacent to Finlay River
Valley as well as a strip of country bordering Omineca River, just south
of the map-area. In 1927, Dolmage (1928) examined the geology of Finlay
River Valley, the lower part of Ingenika River Valley, including the
Ferguson lead-zine property, and traversed the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police trail. An examination of several mineral prospects in the vicinity
of Uslika and Aiken Lakes was conducted in 1939 by Douglas Lay (1940)
of the British Columbia Department of Mines. Systematic mapping of
the areal geology was commenced in 1945 by J. E. Armstrong (1946a),
and continued by the writer in 1946, 1947, and 1948.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In the course of these investigations the writer has received assistance
from many persons, both in the field and in subsequent laboratory work;
their co-operation and many services are gratefully acknowledged. For
courtesies extended in the field he is indebted to representatives of various
mining companies, particularly E. Bronlund of The Consolidated Mining
and Smelting Company of Canada, Limited, and J. W. Burton and other
officials of Springer, Sturgeon Gold Mines, Limited; to R. Baker and
P. Carey of Central British Columbia Airways; and to many prospectors
and residents in the region. Special thanks are due E. Kohse, Sr., E.
Kohse, Jr., N. Henry, and L. R. Dickinson of Fort St. James; F. Brumblay
and A. Sharp of Germansen Landing; C. Reinertson of Vanderhoof; and
A. B. Gooderidge and E. and G. Davies.

Able assistance in the field work was given by R. L. Christie, E. C.
Halstead, and R. D. White in 1945; R. L. Christie, J. O. Wheeler, W. H.
Dow, P. E. Olson, and L. G. Dickinson in 1946; J. O. Wheeler, R. B.

Campbell, J. R. Billingsley, and A. E. Aho in 1947; and W. H. Dow, L. H.
Green, and A. N. Bahan in 1948.

1 Dates in parentheses are those of references in Bibliography at end of this chapter.