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DETAILED TOPOGRAPHY.

Queen Charlotte Range.

In the southern part of Graham island, the Queen Charlotte
range consists of a series of very rugged peaks and ridges, many
of which, in spite of their steep slopes, are densely tree clad to
their summits.

The Slatechuck range, part of the Queen Charlotte range,
forms a steep ridge, extending northward between the Slate-
chuck and Honna valleys, from Skidegate inlet to Yakoun lake.
The highest elevation on Graham island, Slatechuck mountain,
3,280 feet, is the summit of the Slatechuck range, which is carved
from nearly horizontal bedded volcanic flows (Plate I). The
higher portions of these mountains have been modified by the
erosive action of local glaciers, a feature which is well shown on
Slatechuck and Etheline mountains. The sharp peak of Slate-
chuck mountain is an important topographical feature, as
from it radiate divides controlling the drainage of south-central
Graham island. Scenically, it forms the dominating feature of
the Queen Charlotte range as seen from Skidegate inlet and
from its summit a wonderful view may be obtained over almost
the whole of Graham island and a large part of Moresby island.

Very steep mountains, with many needle-like summits,
carved from massive granodiorite, overlook Cartwright sound
and Kano inlet. Owing to the excessive moisture on the west
coast, these peaks are verdure clad except on slopes closely
approaching the vertical. The inlets of this part of the coast
are very steep walled—noticeably steeper than those carved in
less hard and massive rocks—and landings can in many cases be
made only where one of the torrential streams, which cascade
from the hills, has built a delta of angular blocks of the country
rock. The lowering skies, with mist shrouding the hill tops and
the heavy and long rains intensify the inhospitable nature of
this part of the island. This is accentuated by the roar of the
heavy surf, reminding one, even when in the calm waters of a
fiord far inside the breakers, that travel along this coast is entirely
dependent on the weather.