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1953 Map of Ruby D-4

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Ruby D-4
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

The Yukon River carves a massive path through this landscape, flanked by the northern peaks of the Kokrines Hills and an intricate network of waterways to the south. Near the settlement of Kokrines, an Abandoned Telegraph Line traces the riverbank, a remnant of early Alaskan communication infrastructure that preceded modern aviation and radio. The northern bank is characterized by the dramatic White Cliffs, while the southern floodplain is a dense mosaic of wetlands, defined by the winding Junekaket Slough and Deer Creek.

Geological diversity is evident where the river narrows between Lone Tree Pt and Big Bend, creating a series of complex channels around Hardluck Island and Mickey Island. In the interior, the presence of Horner Hot Springs and the expansive Grass Lake suggests a landscape shaped by both geothermal activity and heavy seasonal runoff. This survey captures a moment when traditional river-based travel and early telegraphy were transitioning into the mid-century era of aerial mapping.