6

months. Snow attains a depth of 6 to 20 feet (Stanwell-Fletcher, 19438,
pp. 9-10) in the valleys of the wet belt during the winter, whereas depths
of from 2 to 8 feet are more common elsewhere.

Annual temperatures range from a-maximum of about 95 degrees
Fahrenheit to a minimum of about -60 degrees Fahrenheit (Stanwell-
Fletcher, 1943, pp. 7-8). The maximum temperature recorded by the
Geological Survey was 88 degrees on July 16, 1941, but periods of such
warm weather appear to be exceptional and of short duration. Not a
fortnight passed without frost during the 1945 field season, but this
season was spent in the relatively high northeast half of the area.

The season for efficient prospecting, much of which must be done near
or above timber-line, is from about June 7 to September 21.

FLORA AND FAUNA!

The abundant trees are alpine fir, white spruce, black spruce, and lodge-
pole pine: less common varieties include aspen, balsam poplar, and white
birch. Willows and ground birch are widespread and mountain ash, alder,
juniper, and devil’s club were also noted. Dense stands of timber are
found nearly everywhere below elevations of 3,500 or 4,000 feet, and are
particularly common in the southern and southwestern parts of the area,
as in Sustut and Bear River Valleys, where growth is encouraged by
relatively abundant precipitation. Between elevations of 4,000 and 5,000
feet, which includes many of the valleys north and east of Moose Valley,
sparser stands, including much lodgepole pine, are the rule, and are inter-
spersed with quite extensive grassy meadows, as those of Moose Valley
and Niven River. Timber-line is about 5,000 feet above sea-level.

Mountain goat, moose, caribou, black and grizzly bears, and sheep were
observed, the first three being common enough in places to provide prospect-
ing parties with an intermittent source of fresh meat. Grizzly bears are
rare, and sheep were seen only on the mountains immediately north of
Wrede Creek. Smaller mammals present in important numbers include
marten, fisher, weasel, mink, wolverine, otter, fox, wolf, lynx, beaver,
muskrat, marmot, porcupine, and lemming.

The abundant game birds are Franklin’s grouse (Stanwell-Fletcher,
1943) and white-tailed ptarmigan. Blue grouse and willow ptarmigan are
common locally near timber-line, and ruffed grouse are found in Bear Lake
and lower Sustut River Valleys. Canada geese are not uncommon in the
late summers on the larger rivers and lakes.

Great numbers of sockeye salmon ascend Bear and Sustut Rivers to
Bear, Sustut, and Johanson Lakes in August and September. Spring and
cohoe salmon are reported by the Indians to follow the same route.
Grayling are common in Omineca River. Other varieties of fish include
steelhead, rainbow, and lake trout, Dolly Varden char, whitefish, sucker,
and ling.

i See also Stanwell-Fletcher (1943).