Reach the Summit: Mount Hood, Oregon

Mount Hood, a stratovolcano in northern Oregon, is approximately 50 miles southeast of Portland. Belonging to the Cascade Range, Mount Hood is the highest peak in the state and home to 12 glaciers. This map was intended to call out the majestic features of the mountain and was created for Joe Owens of Timberline Mountain Guides Inc. and volunteer for the Portland Mountain Rescue and American Lung Association’s Reach the Summit program.

Glacier data and contours enabled different colors to represent the many glaciers and help enhance the elevation. Supplementary data such as campgrounds, trails, roads, and streams were added, and the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was used for natural features like ravines, ridges, and peaks. A technique called bump mapping was used to give trees a more realistic appearance. A combination of vegetation data, aerial imagery, ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, and Adobe Photoshop was used to create the tree grid.

Courtesy of Tommy Albo.