if im using a compass in the rockie mountains.what would my magnetic declination be?

Answer 1

Magnetic declination is the angle between the direction to the earth's rotational axis and the magnetic north pole. In other words, declination is the difference between true north (astronomic or axial, almost the same) and magnetic north (the direction the compass points). In North America (except in the extreme north), both of these points are in the same direction (or a zero declination) in an approximate north-south line running just west of the Great Lakes roughly following the Mississippi River. Because the earth's north rotational axis is north of the magnetic north pole (by "true" direction), all points lying west of that line have an "east" or "positive" declination, and points to the east have a "west" or "negative" declination.

The declination in the Rocky (not rockie) Mountains would vary from about 15°E in the southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado to about 35°E in Yukon. You would have to know what part of the Rockies you are in to give a better answer.

Answer 2

You have to know more information then just a general area. You need to know the latitude and longitude of where you are to correctly computer for declination. I will attach a web site that will allow you to search for you lat and lon. and it will calculate your magnetic declination from that for you.