2016 Map of Howard Pass C-4 SW

About this map

The Cockscomb dominates the northwestern heights of this North Slope landscape, serving as a prominent topographic anchor in a region defined by high-altitude drainages and complex ridgelines. The terrain is characterized by a series of high basins where Swayback Cr begins its descent through the central sections of the survey area. To the south, the headwaters of the Kuna River emerge, reflecting the fundamental hydrology of the Brooks Range foothills before these waters flow north toward the Arctic coastal plain. The map detail highlights the intricate contouring of the land, illustrating how the natural topography dictates the path of seasonal melt and perennial streams. This 2016 record from the U.S. Geological Survey captures the primitive state of the wilderness within the North Slope Borough, where lack of human infrastructure leaves the physical geography as the primary narrative of the land.