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How to Graph Elevation

An elevation graph charts the changes in the terrain elevation over a specific path. Elevation graphs are useful when planning trips that involve hiking, biking or mountain climbing because they show a path's slope at different points in the journey. In geology, elevation graphs, which are also known as topographic profiles, can be used to show a cross-section of a segment of terrain. Graphing the elevation of the area you intend to traverse will give you a better understanding of what lies ahead in your journey.

Things You'll Need

Topographic map
Pencil
Graph paper
Ruler
String (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Draw or find the trail you intend to travel on the topographic map.
- 2
  Draw a graph on the graph paper. The y-axis represents elevation, with a range starting just below the lowest elevation on your trail and ending just above the highest elevation. The x-axis represents the total distance along the trail (not as the crow flies). If the trail is too curvy to measure with a ruler, use a piece of string to find its length by bending the string to mimic the trail's shape, marking the start and end points on the string, then pulling the string straight and measuring the distance between the marks.
- 3
  Draw a point on your graph to represent each point on the topographic map where your trail and a contour line intersect. Graph the contour line's elevation on the y-axis and the point's distance along your trail on the x-axis. Use string as necessary to measure curves.
- 4
  Connect the dots on your graph using a ruler. The result will be an elevation graph that shows the average slope of each segment of the trail.

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