1955 Map of Wainwright C-3

About this map

The Chukchi Sea dominates this mid-1950s survey of the Alaskan coast, covering the vast majority of the quadrangle with soundings and depth curves. This environment reflects the isolation and logistical challenges of the North Slope during the Cold War era, as the region was designated within Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4. Along the narrow sliver of coastline, the Winter Trail provides the only recorded evidence of overland movement, tracing the shoreline where land and frozen sea met for much of the year. This specific path was critical for winter travel when the permafrost and shore ice became traversable, serving as a lifeline between remote coastal points before more modern infrastructure arrived.