1986 Map of Hughes C-5

About this map

Gates of the Arctic National Preserve dominates the upper half of this subarctic landscape, where the Lockwood Hills rise against the Continental Divide. The northern reach of the map is defined by the winding course of the Kobuk River, featuring Bear Island as a central landmark in the current. This 1986 provisional survey captures the wilderness in its natural state, showing the convergence of drainage systems including Asiksat Creek and the Pah River. To the southeast, the terrain transitions at a significant Portage, a traditional point of transit through the high country. The map illustrates a region devoid of roads or permanent settlements, focusing instead on the complex topography and hydrological patterns of the Alaskan interior during the late twentieth century.