Portland Canal Area, British Columbia

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION

The country in the vicinity of Portland canal has been known as the
Portland Canal area ever since prospecting began there in 1898. The
meaning of the name is here, however, extended so as to apply also to
the districts bordering Alice arm, Hastings arm, and Observatory inlet
(See Map 2362). The area as re-defined is 80 miles long from north to
south and 35 miles wide. Stewart, at the head of Portland canal, Alice
Arm at the head of Alice arm, and Anyox on Observatory inlet are
regular ports of call for steamships sailing from Vancouver about 600
miles south. A boat runs on a regular schedule between Alice Arm and
Anyox. All ordinary supplies and equipment can be obtained at either
of the three places.

Portland Canal area lies in the eastern part of the Coast Range
mountains and is a rugged country containing many glaciers, ice caps, and
snow fields. Elevations range from sea-level to $,750 feet. Timber-line
is at 4,000 feet, below which the forest growth is heavy and the underbrush
is dense. Pack trails follow the main streams entering Alice arm and
aftord access to this district. No pack trails nor roads lead from Anyox
nor are there any trails suitable for horses on Hastings arm. The part
of the area bordering Hastings arm and lying between Hastings arm and
Portland canal is, therefore, very difficult of access. Along Portland canal
pack trails lead into the mountains only at Marmot and Georgia rivers.
From Stewart, good roads suitable for automobiles lead up Bear and
Salmon River valleys and there are pack trails along the smaller streams.

The first work in the area by the Geological Survey was an explora-
tory trip in 1893 by McEvoy. In 1910 and 1911 R. G. McConnell carried
on systematic geological work in Bear and Salmon River valleys and on
Observatory inlet. Observatory inlet was visited by McConnell again in
1913 and by Drysdale in 1916. Salmon River district was re-examined
in 1919 by J. J. O’Neill and in 1920 by Schofield and Hanson. All the
coastal part of the area was examined by Dolmage in 1922. Detailed
geological work was done in Alice Arm district by Hanson in 1921 and
1928-30 and in Bear and Marmot Rivers districts in 1926 and 1927.
Exploratory work was done by Hanson in 1931 on the headwaters of
Bowser river north of Salmon and Bear rivers, and in 1932 in the area
between Portland canal and Hastings arm.