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- The best route between two points, then, is not always the shortest. Using contour lines helps you match up the terrain you see around you with what's shown on your map. Let's say, for example, you're on a ridge that slopes to the southeast. To help locate your position on the map, read the map's contour lines.
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Aug 28, 2023 · Contour maps display lines called "contour lines" that connect points of equal elevation above a reference datum, typically mean sea level. These lines help visualize the topography and relief of a region, making it easier to understand the landforms and changes in elevation.
- How can you use a contour map to find your location and ...
Using a contour map to determine your location and elevation...
- How can you use a contour map to find your location and ...
- Hill -- A hill is simply a high-ground area. Notice how the contour lines depict a three-dimensional hill in two dimensions.
- Saddle -- A saddle is an area between two hills where the ground goes up on two sides and down on two sides. This is sometimes called a pass, or a col.
- Valley -- A valley is low ground between higher areas. The Vs and Us of a valley's contour lines point to higher ground. Often a valley contains a water course.
- Ridge -- A ridge is a sloping high-ground area. Whereas the Vs and Us of contour lines depicting a valley point to higher ground, the Vs and Us of a ridge's contour lines point to lower ground.
- How Contour Lines Describe Terrain
- Map Scales
- Other Useful Map Details
- Where to Get Topo Maps
Simple trail maps are useful for trip planning but NOT for navigation in the field. Topographic maps go further, giving you the power to visualize three-dimensional terrain from a flat piece of paper. The feature that makes this possible is contour lines: Contour lines indicate the steepness of terrain.Contour lines connect points that share the sa...
The map's scale tells you how detailed your map is. A 1:24000 scale, for example, means one inch on the map equals 24,000 inches of real-world terrain. If the scale ratio had a number like 1:65,000, though, that would mean that each inch on the map covered 65,000 inches of terrain. A map with that scale covers a larger area overall—but it has less ...
Look closely at the map legend.It's loaded with map-reading clues and navigational data. Start by studying what each line, symbol and color means. Generally, green indicates denser vegetation, while light or colorless areas suggest open terrain. And, as you'd expect, streams and lakes are shown in blue. The legend also lists key data like the map's...
USGS Maps
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) used to be the gold standard for topo maps. Covering the entire country, its maps consisted of rectangular areas of land called quadrangles ("quads" for short). Once available in most REI stores and other outdoor shops, preprinted USGS maps are being phased out now and replaced by an online resourcethat allows map data to be continually updated. Maps downloaded and printed from here have some major drawbacks: limited trail information and lack of in-the-field...
Maps from Specialty Companies
Several companies produce enhanced topographic maps. They highlight key features and update details regularly. These maps are more likely to be available for popular areas. (Finding a map for a lesser-known area will be more difficult.) Additional features that can make a map more valuable include: 1. Highlighted trails 2. Elevation callouts 3. Distances between trail junctions and landmarks 4. Primitive trails 5. Backcountry campsites 6. Springs 7. Highlighted boundary lines Shop paper maps
Mapping Websites
Offering similar advantages to mapping software, a rapidly growing number of websites offer you the option to customize and download maps. Some are free; others are subscription based.
- Hill (Also: Mountain) – A hill has a distinct single summit and incline that rises above the surrounding area.On the map, there will be several contour “rings” leading to a peak.
- Ridge (Also: Arete or Spur) – A continuous elevated terrain with sloping sides.In the map represented by “U” or “V” shaped contour lines where the higher ground is in the wide opening.
- Valley (Also: Gully, Draw, Couloir) – Long depression in the terrain that has a narrow elevated side and a wide lower opening.A valley can be “V” or “U” shaped and often can be seen as a “negative” to a ridge.
- Saddle (Also: Col or Pass) – A low point between two distinct peaks (or hills) and forms the shape of a saddle.Saddles are represented on the map by a set of rings of a flatter area with two separate ring sets to represent the two peaks.
Using contour lines helps you match up the terrain you see around you with what's shown on your map. Let's say, for example, you're on a ridge that slopes to the southeast. To help locate your position on the map, read the map's contour lines.
If you are looking at a digital map, you can usually click (or right-click) on a point to get the elevation based on the contour lines. Here's a flat topographic map laid over a Google Map 3D model. You can see that the lines match the slope of the mountains and canyons.
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May 1, 2024 · Using a contour map to determine your location and elevation involves understanding how contour lines represent the shape and elevation of the terrain. Here's a step-by-step guide: Sample Contour Map. Understand contour lines: Contour lines on a map connect points of equal elevation.
