1986 Map of Survey Pass A-2

About this map

The Continental Divide creates a sharp topographical partition across this Brooks Range landscape, marking a boundary that separates the Gates of the Arctic National Park and its National Wilderness to the north from the National Preserve to the south. The transition from high mountain peaks to more moderate elevations is evident in the Helpmejack Hills, which dominate the southern portion of the sheet. Drainage patterns here are defined by the Alatna River and the winding Helpmejack Creek, which flows through the Helpmejack Lake basin. Historically, the Alatna Portage indicates a point of vital overland movement between these drainage systems, providing a window into the traditional navigation of the Yukon-Koyukuk region before contemporary infrastructure was established. This 1986 provisional map was compiled from 1976 aerial photography, recording the untouched character of these protected federal lands.