The Curry District, Alaska

• Main Author: Tuck, Ralph
• Other Authors: Geological Survey (U.S.)
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: United States. Government Printing Office. 1934
• Subjects: Geology > Alaska > Curry Region; Chulitna River; Broad Valley; alaska range; glaciers; Alaska
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc304240/

From abstract: The Curry district lies on the south flank of the Alaska Range, on the southeast side of Mount McKinley. Most of it is west of the Alaska Railroad. The eastern portion can be easily reached from several points along the railroad route, but the western portion is much more difficult of access, owing to the numerous glacial streams and the rugged topography. The relief of the area is great, the elevation ranging from 500 feet along the Chulitna River to 20,300 feet at Mount McKinley. The Chulitna River, a tributary of the Susitna River, drains the larger part of the area described. It flows in a broad valley in the eastern part of the district, and here the maximum relief is about 3,000 feet. The western part of the district is very rugged, with numerous peaks over 6,000 feet in elevation which have sheer slopes and almost unscalable pinnacles. Winding down through this maze of rugged mountains are four major valley glaciers-Eldridge, Buckskin, Ruth, and Tokichitna-and many tributary and smaller glaciers. Practically the entire district, with the exception of the higher peaks and ridges, has been glaciated. Timber grows along the main streams and extends to an elevation of 2,000 feet, but a large portion of the district lies above that elevation.