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1964 Map of Ambler River

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Ambler River
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

The Brooks Range dominates this mid-1960s landscape, with its sub-ranges like the Baird Mountains and Schwatka Mountains dividing the major drainage basins of Northern Alaska. The Noatak River carves through the northern portion of the sheet, while the Ambler River and Kobuk River define the southern valley systems. This era of exploration is documented through various Mines and Cabin locations, hinting at early mineral prospecting and subsistence patterns in the region.

Distinctive geological features are remarkably detailed, from the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes and Little Kobuk Sand Dunes in the Kobuk Lowland to mineral-named peaks such as Asbestos Mountain, Iron Mtn, and the Jade Mountains. These names suggest the industrial interest in the area's natural resources during the mid-century. High-altitude travel is traced through several mountain passes, including Ivishak Pass and Blind Pass, which provided critical overland routes through the high peaks of the Schwatka Mountains.