Alaska Range, Mountain range in southcentral Alaska, United States.
Alaska Range is a mountain chain in southcentral Alaska that runs roughly 600 miles (970 km) from the Cook Inlet area near Lake Clark to the Canadian border. It forms a broad arc from southwest to northeast, dividing the lowlands of the Susitna basin from the interior plateau.
Lieutenant Henry T. Allen led the first documented expedition through the region in 1885, mapping potential routes for transport and trade. During the gold rush of the late 1890s, prospectors pushed through several passes to reach interior mining areas.
Dena'ina and other Athabascan communities still live in the surrounding valleys, and many place names reflect their language. Hunters and trappers follow seasonal routes along the foothills, continuing practices passed down over generations.
Three highways cross the chain year-round through mountain passes, linking coastal areas with interior towns and villages. Winter brings low temperatures and heavy snow, while summer often sees clouds blocking views of the higher peaks.
The chain blocks moist air from the Gulf of Alaska, creating extreme temperature differences between its southern and northern slopes. On the north side, winter temperatures can drop below minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 50 degrees Celsius), while the southern face stays relatively mild.
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