1956 Map of Survey Pass

About this map

Mount Igikpak anchors the dramatic landscape of the central Brooks Range, where the crest of the Continental Divide separates the north-flowing Killik River from the waters of the south. This mid-century survey documents the expansive wilderness of the Schwatka Mountains and Endicott Mountains before the formal establishment of modern preservation boundaries. The terrain is defined by high-altitude crossings such as Survey Pass and Kutuk Pass, which served as critical navigation points through the interior long before the designation of Gates of the Arctic National Park. Drainage patterns are meticulously mapped, showing the headwaters of the Alatna River and Noatak River, as well as prominent summits like the Arrigetch Peaks and Mount Hal Waugh. Scattered Cabins and portages hint at the sparse human footprint in this subarctic environment, dominated by significant water bodies like Oyukak Lake and Kakahula Lake.