I built SummitSnap after a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park left us constantly wondering what peaks we were looking at.
My wife and I visited RMNP last summer and kept running into the same question at overlooks and scenic stops: what mountain is that? I built SummitSnap to be a casual guide for families and everyday park visitors who want a quick answer without needing to be a diehard hiker or outdoors expert.
Overview
SummitSnap came directly from a trip my wife and I took to Rocky Mountain National Park last summer. We kept looking out at incredible views and asking the same question over and over: what peaks are we actually looking at? I realized there should be an easier way for regular visitors to get that answer.
That experience shaped the whole app. I did not build SummitSnap for hardcore hikers who already know every mountain in the park. I built it for families, tourists, and casual visitors who want a simple guide that makes the scenery feel more meaningful.
The app uses AR and location context to make that answer feel immediate. Instead of digging through trail forums or guessing from a map, someone can open the app, point their phone, and get a clearer sense of what they are seeing.
At a glance
Audience: Families, tourists, scenic-drive visitors, and casual hikers who want an easy way to identify peaks without needing deep outdoor knowledge.
Built with: SwiftUI, iOS, ARKit, MapKit
Project type: iPhone app
Key features
- Identify nearby Rocky Mountain peaks through a camera-first AR experience.
- Combine visual overlays and location context to make mountain recognition easier.
- Keep the interface simple enough to use at overlooks, pullouts, and scenic stops.
- Help families and casual visitors enjoy the park with a little more context.
Highlights
Inspired directly by a real trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Built for casual visitors and families, not just experienced hikers.
Uses AR to make peak identification feel simple and immediate.
How it is built
I built SummitSnap as a SwiftUI iPhone app using ARKit and MapKit so peak identification could feel visual, lightweight, and easy to use in the moment.
Why it matters
Most people visiting Rocky Mountain National Park are not serious mountaineers. They just want to enjoy the scenery and understand what they are looking at. SummitSnap is meant to make that experience more accessible and more fun.