Survey Results :

Sites occupied year round are not likely to be found in high elevation settings. Archaeological sites in mountainous areas will therefore be small and related to specific activities (hunting, plant gathering, lithic quarrying). These activities will result in the formation of small lithic scatters or features such as rock cairns and cultural depressions. The large amount of animal habitat in sub-alpine settings indicates that hunting stands will most likely be found near passes or along high ridge tops. In addition these sites may not only offer vantage points of the surrounding terrain but security from bug pests (slightly higher wind) and other people(s) using the area. Plant gathering locales will be found close to areas where a particular plant resource is found in abundance. Processing pits and cairns will be the most obvious feature of these activities. Lithic quarrying locales will be located near bed rock outcrops and will consists of large amounts of flaking debris. The complex geological nature of the study area will make the location of a true "quarry" difficult (see sections 1.2-1.5).

Slightly larger sites ( i.e. base camps) will most likely be found closer to an areas tree line, where shelter, fuel, a reliable water supply and access to low land settings (trails) is easier. Artifact and feature assemblages will be more diverse due to more domestic activity being conducted at such locales. Artifacts classes will be more numerous and diversified by the reworking of old, broken or unfinished tools. Features that maybe found include heaths, processing pits and trails.

A total of two pre-contact lithic scatter sites were identified, recorded and assessed during surveying activities. Two previously recorded sites were revisited and assessed.

The lithic workshop DkRr1 was revisited during survey activities to

1) familiarize surveyors with the types of sites and lithic materials found in this area and,

2) reassess the present condition of the site.

Little disturbance has taken place at DkRr1 by hikers, since the Parks staff diverted the trail around the site. Slope wash and cryoturbation processes are still at work, heaving and sorting archaeological materials to the surface and displacing them down slope and out of context. Two main clusters of artifacts were present but no diagnostic tools were found.

The stone cairn feature DkRr2 was revisited during survey activities to

1) familiarize surveyors with the types of features present in the study area and,

2) reassess the present condition of the site.