GPS to USGS maps

Okay, here's a topic I'm curious about:

Have you ever transferred GPS waypoints to a printed USGS map? I don't have a GPS unit so don't really know what format that data might be in or what software might be available to do the job, assuming access to a large-format printer.

Reason I'm asking:

As alluded to on the lurking thread, I was annoyed when my map didn't precisely reflect the trail I was on. No impact on the trip at all, but poor data is a pet peave. My soulution would be to take regular waypoints along the path and map it later for future use. I could also tag my favorite campsites, water sources, interesting features, whatever. Yes, I could mark these things out as I go, but the map this time around was off enough that I couldn't pin my location satisfactorily. Trails shift, forest roads aren't always obvious, "oh, I thought we were on THIS hill".

Most of the time the differences are negliglble, but I derive joy from precision and accuracy.

This probably disqualifies me from any futher participation in the "lurkers" thread! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, I go the minimalist route. I have a non mapping gps (garmin gecko 301 and garmin foretrex 101). With either, set to UTM for waypoints, it will give me my coordinates in UTM (universal transverse mercator, metric) and I transfer them to my UTM gridded map to find out where I am or mark places. By not leaving the gps on for tracks or routes, I save batteries.

Yes, coordinates are coordinates are coordinates... you just have to make sure that your GPS coordinates are using the same datum as your USGS topo map. Most USGS maps are in NAD27. You can also draw in UTM grids and do your coordinates that way.

MNS