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1952 Map of Mount McKinley D-3

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Mount McKinley D-3
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

The Kantishna River meanders through the heart of this Alaskan interior landscape, carving a serpentine path across a region dominated by wetlands and low-lying drainages. This 1952 topographic study, later updated to reflect the boundaries of Denali National Park and Preserve, captures a wilderness characterized by extensive marshlands and watercourses like Bear Creek and Moose Creek. To the west, the substantial Chilchukabena Lake stands as a primary landmark in a territory with minimal permanent infrastructure.

Evidence of seasonal or historic movement through the bush is visible in the form of a Sled Road that cuts across the central terrain. These winter routes were essential for winter transit when the muskeg was frozen, providing a vital link for supplies and travel long before modern roads were established. The map provides a precise record of the land prior to the expansion of park protections under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.