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1909 ~ The mines of the Innoko are the most recently discovered
of all the Alaska mining camps. The discovery on Gaines Creek a
tributary of the Innoko River was made about three years ago but
the remoteness and inaccessibility of this region have retarded
development. There are however more than 400 miners in this camp
and the gold output from this part of Alaska last year is estimated
at $150,000. The Innoko River is a stream more than 200 miles long
flowing from the south and pouring its waters into the Yukon through
two channels one of them reaching the main stream above Anvik and
the other at Holy Cross Mission. Light draft steamers can ascend
this river only a part of the way to the mines which are near the
head waters of the stream Another route to the mines is by way of
the Kuskokwim River. There is a portage on this route of twenty
five or thirty miles across the low divide between the Kuskokwim
and the gold bearing creeks of the Innoko. So whichever route is
taken some packing is required although it is possible to pole and
line small boats up the Innoko above the head of navigation. The
winter trail from Kaltag to these mines is about 150 miles long
All kinds of supplies are consequently very expensive at Innoko
As steam boilers are necessary for prospecting better transportation
is needed.
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