1955 Map of Ambler River A-5

About this map

The Kobuk River meanders through a landscape defined by dramatic transitions between water, mountain, and sand in this 1955 survey. This area is anchored by Onion Portage, a site of immense significance for understanding human movement and subsistence along the river corridor. To the north, the sharp relief of the Jade Mountains rises above Jade Creek, while the southern portion of the map is dominated by the unique geomorphology of the Little Kobuk Sand Dunes near the Waring Mountains. Within the boundaries of what is now Kobuk Valley National Park, the map records several isolated Cabin and Cabins sites, indicating seasonal habitation or travel waypoints. The intricate network of tributaries, including the Akillik River and Tunutuk Creek, highlights the complex hydrology of the valley before later wilderness designations formally protected the Kobuk Valley Wilderness.