USGS LIDAR for skiing geology.

tirolski · Oct 28, 2024

Been playing with USGS’s national map viewer to check out what LIDAR data reveals for some local bumps.

The National Map - Advanced Viewer

apps.nationalmap.gov

Here’s some Labrador Mountain views.
LIDAR 3DEPElevation-Hillshade & Elevation contours

Same zoom but with Imagery checked and 3DEP Hillshade unchecked.

Similar zoom but with"3DEP Elevation Hillshade Stretched”. Gives a tad more discernments.

Ya can zoom in quite a bit more using “+".
Have fun at your local bump..

Ripitz · Oct 28, 2024

@APphysics discovered an old USGS map that referenced a lost CCC ski trail in the Catskills. Using LiDAR images and a slider on the Before and After app we were able to determine that the old map showed the course correctly. He then hiked the trail and recorded it using GPS. Quite a few of the original features were still identifiable on the ground.

Low Angle Life · Oct 28, 2024

I've used that map layer, it can be viewed as the USA Topo Map base map layer on arcgis.com. I believe its an old military map but I don't know that for certain. It is an amazing resource for finding old road and rail grades and other long forgotten infrastructure that can be useful on adventures.

Ripitz · Oct 29, 2024

Low Angle Life said:
It is an amazing resource for finding old road and rail grades and other long forgotten infrastructure that can be useful on adventures.

I’ve been using LiDAR maps to locate potential ceremonial stone landscapes in my local area.

In this video, NEARA member Martin Rapp explains some of his investigations in New Jersey.