Brooks Range
Remote Arctic mountain range spanning Alaska and Yukon.
- Length
- 700 miles (1,100 km)
- Major protected areas
- Gates of the Arctic National Park, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Noatak Natio
Reader's Guide
It roughly delineates the summer position of the Arctic front and represents the northern extent of the tree line. As one of the most remote and least-disturbed wildernesses of North America, the mountains are home to Dall sheep, grizzly bears, black bear, gray wolf, moose and porcupine caribou. In the far west is the Red Dog mine, the largest zinc mine in the world. The range is federally protected as a series of national wildernesses and refuges.
Did You Know?
- The Brooks Range is listed as a section of the North American Cordillera, stretching 1,100 km (680 mi).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Brooks Range?
The Brooks Range is a remote Arctic mountain chain stretching roughly 700 miles across northern Alaska and into Canada's Yukon Territory. Its Gwich'in name is Gwazhał.
What is the highest point in the Brooks Range?
Mount Isto stands at 8,976 feet (2,736 m), making it the range's tallest summit. The entire chain is estimated to be around 126 million years old.
Who is the Brooks Range named after?
The range honors Alfred Hulse Brooks, who served as chief USGS geologist for Alaska from 1903 to 1924. The United States Board on Geographic Names officially adopted the name in 1925.
Is the Brooks Range considered part of the Rocky Mountains?
In the U.S. it is classified as a northern subrange of the Rockies, but Canadian authorities treat it as a separate range because they place the Rockies' northern boundary at the Liard River in British Columbia.
What protected areas does the Brooks Range contain?
The range encompasses Gates of the Arctic National Park, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and Noatak National Preserve. These designations shield much of its remote, largely roadless terrain.
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