Skykomish Valley

The Skykomish valley, also known as the Noguchitani valley (: 野口谷), is a in the Tenzan mountain range. The point with the lowest elevation on the entire mountain range, it is the largest and safest crossing point between both sides of the mountain range. It runs from north-east to south-west, and lies on the border between Akitsukuni and Elwha. Bisected between both nations, the border line and customs checkpoint is located roughly in the midpoint of the valley. The Skykomish and Noguchigawa rivers, running towards the south-east and north-east respectively, start from the Skykomish lake on the north-western side of the valley.

Several small settlements are located on both Akitsukunese and Elwhan sides of the the valley. The main transportation routes are the Tenzan Highway and the Trans-Tenzan Railway.

The Skykomish valley is the main ground link between Akitsukuni and Elwha, as one of the only easily crossable points through the otherwise impassable Tenzan mountain range. Due to its strategic position and accessible land border, it was the focal point of the 1987 Mountain War between Akitsukuni and Elwha.