Admin
Trail Wise!
Posts: 486 
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Post by Admin on Sept 3, 2015 11:49:57 GMT -8
Start with the basics: the USGS Map Store. Offers a map locator and ordering on-line. Use myTopo to create custom maps on waterproof topo paper. No need to buy and carry multiple maps. The Good? Just as it says, previews a decent digital map to scoot it around and center your area of interest. Regular-size maps are $9.95.
MapSport.com: Standard* maps on waterproof topo paper. @idahowalker suggested it, says the quality is good, and you will see their prices are a pleasant surprise. Good? Price for a 24k maps is $6.95; that's good. Not so good? I didn't find a way to make a custom map! And there is no preview of even a standard USGS map, so you need to know exactly where your trail is. If I'm wrong, let me know. GPSFileDepot : "This site is the ultimate source for GPS files including user contributed and created maps." It is NOT a source for paper maps. But if your GPS can use Garmin maps, ut's all-you-can-eat map city! HillMap.com. "…the best backcountry mapping app on the web*. It combines a selection of the highest quality topographic maps available with data and analysis useful for people who travel far from the beaten path." Note: you print your own maps, but they are free! *Note: Best? Maybe not, but interesting, Topo quality? Unknown. On-screen viewing? Worth a look. Archive.net is a collection that includes the Libre Map Project: "The purpose of the Libre Map Project is to aggregate and make digital maps and related GIS data available for Free." To help you dial in, here is a page that lists each state so you can start your search. Caution: the maps are in TIFF format and the first two I downloaded were both over 12 megs, if that matters anymore! |
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Sept 3, 2015 12:54:55 GMT -8
I once got a custom topo from My Topo that was about the size of a regular quad, but it was a section of 4 different quads, allowing me to only carry the one map to cover all of my hike. All on waterproof paper, as well. I see they now charge $15 for such a custom quad.
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desert dweller
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Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
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Post by desert dweller on Sept 10, 2015 17:28:50 GMT -8
Here are Arizona's maps. You should be able to figure out how to get to other places. link |
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Post by red dog on Oct 20, 2015 14:12:38 GMT -8
I know it is a very small region, but if you are headed to the Superstitions in Arizona the local SAR has maps available that have all of the trails highlighted in contrasting colors. Pretty nice. superstition-sar.org |
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Post by starwalker on Oct 29, 2015 9:51:53 GMT -8
Ouachita Maps is mostly the Ouachita National Forest area of Oklahoma and Arkansas, but there are other maps here.
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whistlepunk
Trail Wise!
I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
Posts: 1,446
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Post by whistlepunk on Jun 8, 2017 20:31:56 GMT -8
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amaruq
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Call me Little Spoon
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Post by amaruq on Jun 23, 2017 5:43:41 GMT -8
www.jeffstopos.com/The above provides the Canadian Topographic Series maps in an easy to find Google Maps tool. Downloads are free and I have it on good authority they will be getting back into printing them (on waterproof paper) in the near future. That being said, if I require several topo maps for a hike, I often swing by MyTopo (linked by Zeke) and purchase a composite. They also have the Canadian Topographic Series maps.
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 24, 2018 11:04:01 GMT -8
Looks like time for an update on this one--many of the links above don't work. USGS store map locator. Not the most user-friendly interface, but it works. MyTopo is still at the same address, and still offers custom maps for $14.95 plus shipping--not cheap, but you may get one map instead of 4 to cover your trip. They also offer extra-zoomed maps, helpful for cross-country travel. mapsport.com seems to be gone. The others still seem to be there, doing what they say. |
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,666
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 28, 2018 21:26:05 GMT -8
They also offer extra-zoomed maps, helpful for cross-country travel. Unfortunately, as I find now my maps have arrive (my bad--should have looked more closely while I was building them), the maps seem to be based on the USGS 15" maps regardless of the scale you choose. I find this particularly surprising because the only maps of the area in the USGS store are 7 1/2 minute maps. So I pretty much wasted my money on the blow-up of the tricky bits, because the contour intervals are still 80'. Not good enough. |
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davesenesac
Trail Wise!
Our precious life is short within eternity, don't waste it!
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Post by davesenesac on Jul 26, 2018 8:00:48 GMT -8
For more than a decade, I have been using mapper.acme.com for online map uses. It was part of the Microsoft terraserver site features. A primary reason I used it was that it did not have complex mapping site features, was not commercial, did not change, and had some important basic features. Its best 2 features were a cross hairs at map center one could use to identify exact locations say as part of forum posts and switching between Topo Satellite and Map held exact registration. So one could find features on say the satellite image like a pond that was not on the topo but know where it was.
However recently that has come to an end. For example if one now loads say this page: (manually select copy paste broken link)
mapper.acme.com/?ll=38.69050,-119.99233&z=14&t=C
It no longer loads the USGS topographic map by default. Instead opens the OpenCycle tab. Sometimes the tabs are all gone so one cannot switch to Topo.
"This page can't load Google Maps correctly."
For the last couple weeks it seems they are working on it. Normally there are Map Satellite Topo NexRad map tabs but only the Topo and NexRad are ok with others showing "For development purposes only" overlays plus new Hybrid and OpenCycle tabs. Another mapping site is caltopo. However it is quite comprehensive and complex so requires some learning. Inconsistent for linking in threads if the audience is not configured correctly.
help.caltopo.com/kb
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2020 10:48:42 GMT -8
Anybody here have a recommendation for a modern computer topo or even road map that can be used with no internet connection?
Something like Delorme's old topo and street maps, something I can use on a computer with no internet and connect a GPS to so I can see my location on a large laptop screen. It's mainly for my RV, not hiking.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2020 18:56:12 GMT -8
I used to do that with Garmin Mapsource and a Garmin GPS. Haven't used it that way in a few years now.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2020 20:32:21 GMT -8
I used to do that with Garmin Mapsource and a Garmin GPS. Haven't used it that way in a few years now. So have I, but I prefer the Delorme Topo maps. But they have not been updated for many years. I have a Jotto Desk in my RV that I like to use with such. -Don- |
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