1955 Map of De Long Mountains

About this map

The Brooks Range and the De Long Mountains dominate this vast Arctic landscape, where high peaks overlook a complex network of coastal lagoons and braided river systems. Along the northern coast, the Chukchi Sea meets the Arctic Ocean at Cape Sabine and Corwin Bluff, marking a transition from maritime shelf to mountainous interior. The presence of a Winter Trail stretching across the tundra suggests the seasonal mobility required for travel through this remote terrain before permanent modern infrastructure. Inland, the map traces the headwaters of major northern drainage basins, including the Pitmegea River, Kukpuk River, and Kukpowruk River. Prominent summits like Mount Kelly and Noonuklook Mountain serve as primary landmarks for navigation across the high-latitude wilderness, reflecting the geography of the North Slope in the mid-1950s.