1970 Map of Bettles D-3

About this map

The Whye Jack Range dominates this portion of the Alaskan interior, rising above a complex network of waterways and seasonal transport routes. The Koyukuk River and its South Fork meander through low-lying wetlands, joined by the Jim River and Wild River. These riparian corridors were critical for mobility in an era before permanent highway infrastructure, as evidenced by the extensive Winter Road and Winter Trail systems that cross the tundra. A rare point of human convergence appears at Four Corners in the southeast, while the northern terrain is punctuated by significant landmarks like Pope Creek Dome and Birch Hill. The presence of the Bettles N Base survey point suggests the importance of this region for early aerial and geodetic mapping efforts during the mid-20th century.