1971 Map of Philip Smith Mountains C-5

About this map

The Itkillik River winds through this Arctic landscape, anchoring a wilderness marked by seasonal transit routes and scientific outpost infrastructure. In the early 1970s, this area of the North Slope was defined by its sparse but vital human footprints, including the Toolik Lake Camp and an adjacent Landing Strip near the shores of Toolik Lake. The presence of a Winter Road and a Winter Trail reflects the logistical challenges of the era, where heavy movement was often restricted to the frozen months. Between the high points of Itigaknit Mountain and Imnavait Mountain, a complex network of smaller lakes and the headwaters of the Kuparuk River dominate the drainage patterns, illustrating the delicate hydrology of the tundra before more extensive regional development occurred.