1970 Map of Bettles D-5

About this map

The Alatna Hills dominate this portion of the Alaskan interior, rising above a complex network of drainage basins. This 1970 survey, based on aerial photography from that year and annotated by the U.S. Geological Survey, documents the intricate meandering of the East Fork Henshaw Creek and the West Fork Henshaw Creek. The landscape is largely defined by water, including Fickett Creek and numerous unnamed small ponds and wetlands typical of this permafrost-influenced terrain. A notable terrestrial feature is the Winter Trail, which cuts across the southeastern corner of the quadrangle. This path signifies the essential seasonal transportation routes used in the Alaskan wilderness before more permanent infrastructure reached this area, reflecting a reliance on frozen ground and waterways for movement through the Yukon-Koyukuk region.