Golden Gate Pass divides the gold-laden creeks and rivers to the south from Pilgrim and Kuzitrin Rivers, which are less rich sources of ore. To the east, a low, wide pass leads to the upper reaches of the Niukluk River, which flows southeast toward Council, White Mountain, and Norton Sound. This pass is a migration corridor into the Pilgrim River drainage for the Western Arctic caribou herd in years when they winter on the central Seward Peninsula. Domestic reindeer graze on open range land in summer. American golden-plover, northern wheatear, American pipit, and Lapland longspur are common in the tundra areas.
