Take geology on the trail with mobile maps

New mobile maps put the geology of Oregon’s volcanic peaks — including the Three Sisters — into the hands of hikers.

The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) is offering its geologic guide and recreation map series as mobile maps through the PDF Maps app for Apple and Android.

The series, available for Mount Hood, Crater Lake, and Three Sisters, offers trailside geology along with must-have details like distance, elevation and amenities.

“Hiking is an amazing way to experience Oregon’s geology,” says Daniel E. Coe, the maps’ cartographer. “With mobile maps, you can capture that experience, from exactly where you took that lava flow photo to marking the best viewpoints.”

The mobile maps get a boost with features like tracking location on the map, measuring distance, adding geotagged photos, and dropping placemarks at points of interest. Maps are also downloaded to the mobile device, making multiple maps easy to access.

The map series features new-generation maps created with lidar technology for the ultimate in outdoor exploration.

The Mount Hood and Three Sisters maps include distances and elevations for 70-plus trails, including the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

The Crater Lake map shows distances and elevations for all park trails, including the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Maps also include features like highways, service roads, wilderness areas, and recreation spots.

To get the maps, download the free PDF Maps app from Apple or Android app stores, then search the in-app Map Store for DOGAMI. Two map sides are available for each destination; each side is 99 cents.

The series is also available as a double-sided folding map on water-resistant paper for $6 from the Nature of the Northwest Information Center, www.naturenw.org.