1953 Map of Valdez C-3

About this map

The Tonsina River carves through this Interior Alaska landscape, flowing toward its confluence with the Copper River in a region defined by high mountain passes and glacial drainage systems. Surveyed in the early 1950s, the map illustrates the early alignment of the Edgerton Cutoff, a vital overland link connecting the copper-rich interior to the coast. This corridor follows the natural contours of the valley, passing near the small water body at Kenney Lake. To the south, the topography rises sharply toward Kimball Pass, where high-altitude drainages like Dust Creek and Bernard Creek begin their descent. The transition from the broad river flats to the steep, unsurveyed alpine territory reflects the mid-century challenges of mapping the Alaskan frontier before comprehensive ground surveys reached every peak.