U. S. Post Office at Summit, Anaktuvuk Pass, 1951 (see p. 25). 





2. Anaktuvuk Pass 



FROM THE BORDERS of Yukon Territory westward to the sea the 

 broad valley of the Yukon Eiver oilers no barrier to the flight of 

 birds. Along the northern part of the central Yukon watershed the 

 Koyukuk is its principal tributary, running approximately west near 

 the southern border of the mountains. Near Bettles the John Eiver 

 enters the Koyukuk, after flowing about 90 air miles south from the 

 divide locally called Summit (lat. 68°10' N., long. 151^40' W., eleva- 

 tion about 2,400 feet). Just north of the divide at Summit the 

 Anaktiktoak Eiver comes in from the eastward to join the head of 

 the Anaktuvuk, which then runs about 100 miles nearly north to the 

 Colville Eiver. 



A forest of spruce with some birch lines the John Eiver and extends 

 up its tributary valleys to maximum elevations of 3,500 feet on south- 

 ward slopes as far north as Publatuk Creek, about 30 miles south of 

 Summit. In the main valley, tree line is passed below 2,000 feet, 

 where the forest terminates abruptly. Northward, willows are re- 

 stricted to certain areas in the valley. In some places they may reach 



15 



