• Mount Rainier peeks through clouds, viewed across subalpine wildflowers and glacial moraine.

    Mount Rainier

    National Park Washington

Map Reading

A trail sign showing different mileages for different trails.
A Mount Rainier trail sign showing mileages for different trails.
NPS Photo
 
Overview: Students will be introduced to the basic skills necessary to read a map, specifically a topographic map, in a national park. Students will practice by orienting a map to magnetic north and/or true north. Students will also have the ability to practice land navigation around their school based on a course set up by the instructor.
Grade Level:
 5 - 12
Objectives: Students will be able to:
  • Identify key elements on a topographic map including elevation lines, compass rose, trails, roads, and key features such as hills and valleys.
  • Orient a map to magnetic and true north.
  • Travel on a relatively flat course using a map of the school or local area.
Lesson Plan:
 Map Reading - word, 41KB
Map Reading - pdf, 459KB
Resources: Map Reading Hints & Suggestions
Map Reading Setting the Course
Map Reading Teacher Planning Chart
Map Reading Student Answer Sheet

Did You Know?

Artist rendering of the Osceola Mudflow releasing from Mount Rainier.

About 5,600 years ago the summit and northeast face of Mount Rainier fell away in a massive landslide accompanied by volcanic explosions. The Osceola Mudflow, a towering wall of mud and rock, thundered down the White River Valley where it deposited 600' of debris eventually reaching the Puget Sound.