Sturgeon Stairway Additions and Corrections : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

jtschanz - Dec 15, 2004 11:31 am - Hasn't voted

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It's interesting to note that the USGS maps show Sturgeon Rock in the wrong place. See for example http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=45.7398&lon=-122.25&size=l&symshow=n&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25

The peak labeled Sturgeon Rock is incorrect - Sturgeon Rock is actually the steeper and taller rock to the east, closer to the summit of Silver Star.

Klenke - Dec 15, 2004 1:01 pm - Hasn't voted

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Yes, that is true. I thought I mentioned that somewhere (like maybe in a picture caption) but I can't find it now. Maybe it was in my trip report.

This is the true location of Sturgeon Rock.

This is where the USGS erroneously puts it.

Note that they've also got Pyramid Rock in the wrong place. This is Pyramid Rock (Pt. 3577).

jtschanz - Dec 15, 2004 1:38 pm - Hasn't voted

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Thanks Paul - I didn't realize that Pyramid Rock was mislabeled too!

Brian Jenkins - Dec 15, 2004 1:55 pm - Hasn't voted

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I'll try to put this info into the main page guys. I remember my first hike in on this one being confused about Pyramid Rock. It is so obvious that it is the big rock by the trail not the mound back behind you as you exit the forest. Looks like USGS mismarked a bit of info in this area.

Brian Jenkins - Dec 21, 2004 12:54 am - Hasn't voted

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Hey Don, did you realize you just put your cell phone and address on the internet for all to see? Might want to delete that. Be careful.

Don Nelsen - Dec 21, 2004 10:07 am - Voted 10/10

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Hi Guys. I noticed these errors too and sent in the following to the USGS:

To: gnis_manager@usgs.go 10/07/2004 07:21 PM

Subject: Errors on published maps

Dear Sirs,

I have noticed what appear to be errors in your mapping database.

1: In Clark Co., Washington state, Larch Mt. quad: The point marked Sturgeon Rock at 45 44 44N 122 16 09W: Sturgeon rock is the point 1.1 miles to the east at approx. elevation 4,100' and at coordinates of 45 44 54N 122 14 52W

and:

2: The point marked Pyramid Rock at 45 43 52N 122 15 15W: Pyramid Rock is the feature located .25 miles to the north at 3,577' elevation at coordinates of 45 44 03N 122 15 11W.

The errors also exist on your larger scale maps.

I live in this area and know the area in question very well and am certain of the above. I can provide photographs, if requested.

Best regards,

Don Nelsen Vancouver, WA E-mail: donnelsen@yahoo.com

I received the following reply:

Fri, 10 Dec 2004 09:20:27 -0500

Dear Mr. Nelsen:

Thank you for your email message of 7 October 2004, regarding the name Sturgeon Rock in Clark County, Washington. We have reviewed your comments and concur. We have updated the geographic coordinates for the feature named Sturgeon Rock in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). These changes should be evident at the web site today.

We are grateful that you took the time and effort to notify us and help make the GNIS database a better and more accurate data source. Please contact us if you have any questions or comments.

Sincerely, For Manager GNIS

Ms. Eve Edwards

eedwards@usgs.gov for gnis_manager@usgs.gov 523 National Center Reston, VA 20192 (703)648-4548

Presumably, I'll eventually get an answer to the Pyramid Rock question, as well.

Here's the link to report errors if you know of some others: USGS error reporting link

Best regards,

Don

Don Nelsen - Dec 21, 2004 10:12 am - Voted 10/10

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Thanks, Brian. It's fixed now, plus I added the error reporting link.

Don