1949 Map of Talkeetna Mountains D-6

About this map

The Alaska Railroad serves as the industrial backbone of this subarctic corridor during the late 1940s, tracing a path through the steep drainages between the Talkeetna and Alaska Ranges. Small trackside outposts like Hurricane, Chulitna, and Canyon mark the line as it navigates the rugged river valleys. The landscape is defined by the convergence of major glacial waterways, including the braided Chulitna River and the Susitna River, which are fed by the massive Eldridge Glacier in the northwest. High-altitude crossings like Chulitna Pass and landmarks such as Chulitna Butte dictate the movement of both the rail and primitive ground transport, evidenced by the presence of a Sled Road near the northern boundary. This survey provides a look at the early infrastructure supporting transportation and remote settlement in the Alaskan interior before modern highway expansion reached this section of the rail belt.