The Heart of Kiger Gorge, Oregon

Kiger Gorge is one of five deep canyons that cut through Steens Mountain located in southeastern Oregon. The heart of Kiger Gorge illustrated in this map typifies the dramatic nature of these gorges, which were created by mountain glaciation and other geologic events during the last ice age. More than 2,000 feet deep, Kiger Gorge offers a unique opportunity for experiencing high desert solitude and breathtaking views of dramatic landscapes. Exploration is limited to hiking or horseback riding because there are no formal trails.

This poster map was created for the Bureau of Land Management’s Burns District Office in Burns, Oregon, to illustrate and advertise the beauty of Kiger Gorge, which occupies the center of the Steens Mountain complex in southeastern Oregon. The map will also be used as a hiking map as well as a poster. On the technical level, this map uses new “bump mapping” techniques, which create realistic textures representing different land cover types. These textures are generated using ArcGIS Spatial Analyst commands and attempt to characterize through shadow and color the look and feel of different vegetation types.

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