1954 Map of Mount McKinley D-2

About this map

Kantishna Hills dominate the southeastern quadrant of this interior Alaska landscape, providing a sharp contrast to the extensive marshlands and braided waterways to the north and west. In the mid-1950s, this area centered around the isolated settlement of Diamond, a focal point for activity along the Bearpaw River. The map captures a moment when travel in the bush relied heavily on seasonal infrastructure, as evidenced by the Sled Road cutting across the northern reaches and the Crooked Creek Landing Strip tucked near the hills. Drainage systems like Moose Creek and Flume Creek feed into the larger river basins, highlighting the complex hydrology of the region. The presence of VABM Diamond suggests a landscape surveyed for both navigation and resource potential, where the Kantishna River served as a primary artery through the remote subarctic terrain.