the basin of the stikine is sparsely populated, mostly by members of the tahltan people, though the lower reaches are the territory of group of the tlingit people centred on wrangell, alaska, which is on etolin island just outside the mouth of the stikine. the region is noted for its rugged and unusual mix of glaciated ranges, semi-arid subarctic volcanic plateaux and cones, and deep river canyons, most of all the grand canyon of the stikine, which was described by naturalist john muir as "the northern yosemite". also notable and rather famous on the river's course is the great glacier, which fronts along the river's right (west) bank a few miles north of the alaska frontier.