Overview

Topographic maps are widely used in the physical and geographical sciences, and the ability to read and interpret these maps is integral to route finding and planning for many outdoor activities including hiking, climbing, and skiing. After completing this learning activity, you should be able to read and interpret topographic maps.

Instructions

Utilize the information located in the Scenario and Key Concepts to answer the questions located in this activity. You may refer to your textbook and notes to help you work through the assigned questions if desired. You will have two attempts to complete this activity. The highest grade will automatically be recorded. Once you have submitted your activity for a second time, you will be able to see the correct answers. Discuss with your instructor if you have questions about your answers or feedback.

For this assignment you may find it helpful to use the embedded links (specified with "click here") to access a larger version of some figures.

Activity is due Sunday, by 11:59 p.m. MT

Submission and Assessment Guidelines

You will complete the quiz associated with this scenario within Canvas. For help on how to take a quiz in Canvas, review How do I take a quiz.
This learning activity is worth 6 points toward your final grade.

Scenario

You are new to Utah and are planning to ski Snowbasin this coming winter. The resort trail maps are helpful but can be misleading. You want to learn about the subtleties of the terrain, such as where it's steep and where it's a lower angle. To do this, you will be studying the topographic map of Snowbasin shown below. Click here if you would like to view a larger version of the map.

Topographic map of Snowbasin with locations for quiz annotated Figure 1. Snowbasin topo map

Key Concepts

Topographic maps typically include contours that connect points of equal elevation. For example, on this topographic map for Collins Gulch at Alta Ski Area, the brown contours are lines of equal elevation (click here for a larger version). There is a contour every 40 feet of elevation, with slightly thicker lines used every five contours or 200 feet. If you could walk along one of these lines, you would remain at the same elevation. If you faced downhill and walked across the contour, you would be walking directly downhill along what is known as the fall line. If you faced uphill and walked across the contour, you would be walking up the fall line. On this particular topographic map, chairlifts are indicated by the red dotted lines and ski runs by solid green (beginner), blue (intermediate), and black (advanced) lines.

Colllins Gulch Topo Map

Figure 1. Topographic map of Collins Gulch at Alta Ski Area. Source: caltopo.com.

Figure 2 shows an annotated version of the topographic map (click here for a larger version). A thick brown line identifies the 10,000-foot contour. If you were to walk along this contour, you would remain at an elevation of 10,000 feet.

In areas where the contour lines are close together, the terrain is steep. One such area is identified along the run known as “Christmas Tree." In areas where the contours are farther apart, the terrain is a lower angle or less steep. One such area is identified in the middle of Collins Gulch.

In areas where the terrain is sloped, the fall line is oriented directly across, or perpendicular, to the contours. Near the trail known as "Eagle's Nest," the fall line is identified with a bold arrow labeled with “FL."

Ridges are narrow regions of high terrain. One ridge is identified with a dotted brown line. High points along a ridge are called peaks. One peak is identified with a triangle. Finally, passes are low points along a ridge, and one is identified with two parallel lines near the top of the Collins chairlift. This pass is called Germania Pass. A “kink” or strong bend in a contour line along a ridge points towards lower terrain.

A canyon or valley is a narrow region of low terrain, often with a river, stream, or wash running through it. Little Cottonwood Creek runs through the valley identified with a blue dashed line. A “kink” or strong bend in a contour line along a valley points toward higher terrain.

Figure 2. Annotated topographic map of Collins Gulch at Alta Ski Area. Source: caltopo.com.

Additional perspectives are provided by the YouTube Video How to Read a Topographic Map and the map in Figure 3 in which the slope angle is color-shaded following the scale at the bottom (click here for a larger version). Higher slope angles indicate steep terrain. One can clearly see that the terrain is steeper where the contours are closer together.

Topographic map of Collins Gulch annotated and with slope angle shaded

Figure 3. Annotated topographic map of Collins Gulch at Alta Ski Area with slope angle shaded following scale at bottom. Source: caltopo.com.

Citations

Scenario:

- Alta
  - Citation: Alta. (n.d.). Alta. https://www.alta.com
  Snowbasin
  - Citation: Snowbasin. (n.d.). Snowbasin. https://www.snowbasin.com

Images:

Key Concepts

- Figure 1. Topographic map of Collins Gulch at Alta Ski Area
  - Citation: © CalTopo, USFS, Kartverket
- Figure 2. Annotated topographic map of Collins Gulch at Alta Ski Area
  - Citation: © CalTopo, USFS, Kartverket
- Figure 3. Annotated topographic map of Collins Gulch at Alta Ski Area with slope angle shaded following scale at bottom
  - Citation: © CalTopo, USFS, Kartverket

Resources
- Figure. Annotated topographic map of Snowbasin ski area including lifts and trails.
  - Citation: © CalTopo, USDA Farm Service Agency, Kartverket