1970 Map of Bettles C-2

About this map

Bonanza Creek and Fish Creek dominate this 1970 landscape, winding through a wilderness where human presence is marked only by ephemeral seasonal paths. The terrain is defined by low-lying wetlands and the significant elevation of Nanuk, which stands as a prominent landmark in the southern reaches. This remote stretch of the Yukon-Koyukuk region reflects a pre-development era in Alaska, where movement relied heavily on the cold-weather network of the Winter Road and Winter Trail. These routes were essential for navigating the interior's saturated ground, providing the only reliable ground access before modern infrastructure. The map captures an era of transition as the Bureau of Land Management began predetermining land lines across previously unsurveyed territories, marking the first steps of formal geographic organization in this subarctic frontier.