Relics from an Old Gold Mine
“Chittitu Enamelware” original acrylic painting by Gail Niebrugge. Original painting sold.
From a remote airstrip at May Creek in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, we piled into an ancient rattletrap 4-wheel drive truck and lurched up the old trail to the abandoned Chittitu gold mine. Stopped by the river, access to the opposite shore was via a crudely built foot bridge, suspended by ropes that swayed wildly with each step. Today the trail is accessible only by foot and the bridge at the river is gone. We were fortunate to explore the remains of the partially collapsed dwellings, an old tool here, an enamel pot there, and a wagon wheel propped against a tree. Lots of material for future paintings. A treasure of memories almost lost.
More tomorrow,
Gail Niebrugge, Aritst of Alaska
