According to the geologists there are indications of gold and other precious metals, and I would not be surprised if a thorough exploration led to valuable discoveries.
As the boat struggled against the current in this mountain passage I spent most of the time on deck.

The tortuous course of the river added much to the scenic effect.

Almost every minute the picture changed.
Hill, forest, cliff, and valley assumed different aspects as we wound our sinuous way up the defile.

Here and there were tiny cascades breaking over the steep rocks to the edge of the river, and occasionally a little meadow peeped out from the mountain valleys.
Some features of the scenery reminded me of the Highlands of the Hudson, or the Mississippi above Lake Pepin.

At times we seemed completely enclosed in a lake from which there was no escape save by climbing the hills.