Cape Krusenstern National Monument – Image Gallery

Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Cape Krusenstern National Monument in Alaska is a remote coastal area known for its ancient archaeological sites and stunning beach landscapes.

Details

Cape Krusenstern National Monument

The Cape Krusenstern National Monument is located on the northwest coast of Alaska, covering approximately 560,000 acres of land. The monument was established in 1978 to protect the unique archaeological and cultural resources of the area, as well as its diverse ecosystems.

Features

• Beaches: The monument is known for its stunning beaches, which are composed of sand and gravel. These beaches provide important nesting grounds for shorebirds and seals.
• Archaeological sites: Cape Krusenstern is home to over 100 archaeological sites, including ancient villages, campsites, and burial grounds. These sites provide valuable information about the history and culture of the indigenous people who have lived in the area for thousands of years.
• Rock formations: The monument is characterized by rugged coastal cliffs and rocky outcroppings. These formations provide habitat for a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes.
• Tundra: The interior of the monument is covered in tundra, a cold, treeless biome characterized by low-growing vegetation such as mosses, lichens, and shrubs. This unique ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife, including caribou, muskoxen, and Arctic foxes.

Ecological Significance

The Cape Krusenstern National Monument is an important area for conservation due to its rich biodiversity and pristine landscapes. The monument provides habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species, many of which are unique to the Arctic region.

Additionally, Cape Krusenstern plays a crucial role in the migration patterns of numerous bird species, serving as a stopping point for birds traveling along the coast of Alaska. The monument also supports healthy populations of marine mammals, such as seals and walruses, which rely on the coastal waters for feeding and breeding.

Overall, the Cape Krusenstern National Monument is a valuable natural resource that serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our planet's fragile ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.

Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Points of Interest

Cape Krusenstern National Monument

The Cape Krusenstern National Monument is a coastal area in northwestern Alaska that is known for its rich cultural history and stunning natural beauty. Here are some of the most popular points of interest within the monument:

• Onion Portage: This archaeological site is one of the most well-known in the monument, with evidence of human occupation dating back over 9,000 years.
• Kobuk River: The Kobuk River flows through the monument, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
• Sand Dunes: The monument is home to expansive sand dunes that are constantly shifting and changing shape.
• Cape Krusenstern Beach: This pristine beach offers stunning views of the Bering Sea and is a popular spot for picnicking and beachcombing.
• Rocky Point: This scenic overlook provides panoramic views of the coastline and is a great spot for watching the sunset.
• Krusenstern Lagoon: This shallow lagoon is a prime habitat for waterfowl and other bird species, making it a popular spot for birdwatching.

Whether you're interested in history, outdoor recreation, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature, the Cape Krusenstern National Monument has something for everyone to enjoy.

Cape Krusenstern National Monument – Images

Description: Blue winter light on the snow around a remote ranger station A cold January day at the ranger station at Anigaaq in Cape Krusenstern National Monument. The frozen Tukrok River is in background at the base of the small bluff. Keywords: winter; snowmobile; snow snow machine; ranger station; wear; northwest alaska; cape krusenstern national monument; cakr; arctic; anigaaq; alaska

Image by NPS Photo – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: Alaska Natives. Sunset at Cape Krusenstern National Monument. Original photo taken July 30, 1973. Keywords: ice; sunset; alaska task force; Scenic Views(NPS History Collection Themes)

Image by Milo Woodbridge Williams – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: Ranger station in January at Anigaaq in CAKR. Frozen Tukrok River in background at the base of the small bluff. Blue winter light on the snow around a remote ranger station in Cape Krusenstern National Monument.

Image by Education Specialist – CC BY 2.0 – Wikimedia

Description: Aerial view of beach ridges on a coastline carpeted with red autumn vegetation. Beach ridges created by years of wave action during storms can be seen as parallel lines in the fall vegetation covering the old gravel. Keywords: united states; sealing point; cape krusenstern national monument; cakr; beach ridges; sunrise/sunset; aerial; landscape; western arctic national parklands; wear; arctic; northwest alaska; nw alaska; alaska

Image by NPS Photo – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: The Kotzebue Sound as seen from Cape Krusenstern

Image by Education Specialist – CC BY 2.0 – Wikimedia

Description: Aerial view of beach ridges and wetlands 5000 years of accumulated beach ridges show up well as concentric curved lines in the light of the summer sun. The Arctic Ocean is on the left and Krusenstern Lagoon is on the right. Low angle sunlight makes the wetlands and ridges glow. Keywords: united states; krusenstern lagoon; sealing point; cape krusenstern national monument; cakr; sunrise/sunset; beach ridges; aerial; landscape; western arctic national parklands; wear; arctic; northwest alaska; nw alaska; alaska

Image by NPS Photo – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: A unnamed river snakes its way through the tundra in southeast Cape Krusenstern National Monument. Rivers are so numerous and remote in Cape Krusenstern and other WEAR parks that the U.S. Geological Survey has not named many of them.

Image by Western Arctic National Parklands – CC BY 2.0 – Wikimedia

Description: Person cleaning out an animal skin in Cape Krusenstern National Monument in Sheshalik, Alaska. Keywords: plant; animal; tree; native alaskan; Flora; (NPS History Collection Themes); Fauna; Ethnic Heritage: Alaska Native

Image by Thomas C. Gray; – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: Carpet of blue and white flowers on a vegetated beach ridge with an old cabin in the distance. Late June wildflowers near the Cape Krusenstern ranger station along the coastline of the Chukchi Sea. Stinkweed (Artemisia sp. ) present in the picture. Keywords: wildflowers; flowers; wear; northwest alaska; cape krusenstern national monument; cakr; arctic; anigaaq; alaska

Image by NPS Photo – Public domain – Wikimedia

Description: A unnamed river snakes its way through the tundra in southeast Cape Krusenstern National Monument. Rivers are so numerous and remote in Cape Krusenstern and other WEAR parks that the U.S. Geological Survey has not named many of them.

Image by Western Arctic National Parklands – CC BY 2.0 – Wikimedia