A Canoe Trip Through Algonquin Park

Why we love it

A handmade aesthetic for this map emphasises the rustic nature of the canoe trip. Along the journey, the map author reveals clues to Algonquin Park’s history, including logging artifacts. We get a sense of exploring a new frontier despite being inside a popular, provincial park. The map author uses a stippling symbol effect to soften the hard edges of features. We love how this technique, along with the custom cartouche, reinforces a hand-inked appearance. A graphically rendered trip log highlights strenuous stretches and places where the travelers needed to portage.

Why it works

Several well-chosen cartographic techniques work together to express a uniform aesthetic for this map. Typography and label placement are legible and informative. Only relevant labels are included to avoid visual noise. The scale bar is precise and accurate, making it easy to gauge interim trip distances. The trip breakdown maintains a consistent scale and gives a vivid sense of the paddling versus portaging components of the trip. The inset map is an effective guide to pinpoint the map area relative to recognisable features on the continent.

Important steps

Verify the route

The trip route was derived from Ontario Trail Network Segment dataset, attributed by paddle or portage segment, and validated by geo-tagged photos. Positioning of campsite locations used the same method. The basemap is the Province of Ontario Open Data Catalogue.

Apply stippling

Stippling was applied to the lakes with direction from a Coastal Stipple Effect blog by John Nelson. A stipple pattern softens hard feature edges, recedes them to in visual hierarchy, and adds to the illusion of a hand-inked map.

Coastal Stipple Effect blog

Stipple pattern

Breakdown the trip

Make a feature class of straight lines. Use offset symbology rather than geometry to allow for easy modification. Upward for portages (lifting over terrain) and downward for paddling (into the water). Annotate lines with distance and add the map frame.

Add and modify map frames

Create a vignette

Use a layout vignette to accommodate the inset map and trip breakdown. Here, a photo from the trip was image edited to create the cartouche.

Read ‘Steal these Vignettes’ blog

Read about cartouches, or map styles

Requirements

Data

The basemap is from the Ontario Open Data Catalogue. The Ontario Trail Network Segment was used to digitize a feature class of the route. Other data included memory, geotagged photos, and trip planning documentation.

Ontario Open Data Catalogue

Ontario Trail Network Segment

Analysis

The basemap data was clipped to the area of interest using the Clip tool. The Multi-Ring Buffer tool was used to create the internal polygons within the lakes as part of the stipple cartographic effect.

Learn about the Clip tool

Learn about the Multi-Ring Buffer tool

Time

Most of the time was spent on data collection and download. It took about one hour to find and prepare the basemap data and one hour to create trip data. Two hours were spent refining the cartography and another two on the map layout, the vignette, and cartouche.

Tips and tricks

Explore symbol effects in ArcGIS Pro

Take some time to explore the symbol effects in ArcGIS Pro. There is a wide offering beyond what was previously possible in ArcGIS Desktop. Using ArcGIS Pro made much of the cartographic effects in this map possible.

Learn about symbol effects in ArcGIS Pro

Look for more maps you love

Find other cartographers that are making maps that appeal to you, then learn how they achieved that effect. You can add a new set of tools and techniques to your skillset that will enhance your maps.

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Add more to your map

Adding additional content, media, charts, and pictures to your map can enhance interest in your story. This will help you convey your information in other ways to enhance the overall cartographic product.