1956 Map of Philip Smith Mountains

About this map

Philip Smith Mountains and the northern reaches of the Brooks Range dominate this 1956 survey, which was later revised in the mid-1970s to reflect the era of pipeline construction. The high-altitude Continental Divide cuts through the southern half of the sheet, where Atigun Pass and Oolah Pass offer rare transit points through the steep terrain. Settlement in this period is largely restricted to remote outposts such as Oksrukuyik and temporary installations like Galbraith Lake Camp and Toolik Camp. These camps, along with the noted (Under Construction) roadway, signal the region's transition toward industrial accessibility. The landscape is defined by its massive drainage networks, including the north-flowing Sagavanirktok River and the Ivishak River, which carve deep valleys between high peaks like Cloud Peak and the dramatic Atigun Gorge.