1956 Map of Chandalar

About this map

Chandalar serves as the focal point for this wilderness landscape, centered near the McLean Mine and several remote landing strips. The map documents a critical period of infrastructure development, most notably the path of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline cutting through the western portion of the terrain. The geography is defined by the complex drainage systems of the Middle Fork Chandalar River, the North Fork Chandalar River, and the East Fork Chandalar River, which converge south toward the Venetie Indian Reservation. Settlements like Caro and the West Buttons are connected by a network of seasonal routes including the Winter Trail and Hickory Trail. This 1982 revision incorporates modern federal boundaries established by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, positioning the river valleys between the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Gates of the Arctic National Park (Wilderness).