V-shaped contour lines that“point” toward higher elevations I. Cliffīlack, dashed double-line A gully on a topo map H. V-shaped contour lines that “point” to lower elevations A cliff on a topo map F. Steep terrainĬrowded sections of contour lines A gentle slope on a topo map B.
Here’s what you can expect to see on a topographic map: A steep slope on a topo map. Check your map’s legend for the contour interval, which tells you how many vertical feet apart they are from one another (usually 40 feet).Ĭontour lines allow you to infer general terrain characteristics from their patterns. When you hike, you’re passing through the contour lines, not staying along one as if it were a trail. Think of a contour line as a closed loop: By following a contour line on the ground, you would travel neither uphill nor downhill, eventually ending up back at your starting point. All points along the same contour line are at the same elevation above sea level. The thin brown lines snaking around a topographic map are contour lines. (Photo: Stramyk via Getty Images) Anatomy of a Topo Map Contour Lines Topo maps show both location and elevation in one document. There’s enough information on a topo map to plan an entire trip in advance and also find your bearings in a pinch. It not only shows elevation and distance, but also human-made structures and changes in vegetation. A topographic map offers a wealth of orienteering information, too. If you get lost, these trail maps won’t help you find your way out.
There’s no elevation data, no magnetic declination, and not as many symbols. Simplified trail maps-such as the JPEG images you might find on a national park’s website-don’t always include all the information you need for complete navigation. More: Get unlost with our Backcountry Navigation course on Outside LEARN They’re different from other maps because they outline the three-dimensional landscape: its contours, elevations, topographic features, bodies of water, vegetation, and more. Topographic maps are ideal for backpackers. More importantly: Doing it the way hikers did it 50 years ago gives you more trail cred. Maps and compasses are the best backups to your navigation system (no battery or cell service required) and will give you an understanding of the ground you’re hiking on that you just can’t get following a gadget. If your map skills are rusty, it’s time to brush up. Unless you’re a dedicated old-schooler, it probably wasn’t recently. When was the last time you planned a backpacking trip without a computer, phone, or GPS unit? Think hard. Join the class now and learn at your own pace. In our 7-part Backcountry Navigation course on Outside LEARN, you’ll learn everything you need to know to navigate on- and off-trail, from using GPS and digital maps to wayfinding the old-school way with a paper map and compass. Master the art of navigation, and you’ll never use your way again.
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