Registered: 01/22/09
Posts: 60
Loc: Texas Hill Country
Once you zero in on where you're going you can d/l topos from the USGS store for free. http://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/usgs/maplocator/(layout=6_1_61_48&uiarea=2&ctype=areaDetails&carea=%24ROOT)/.do
Registered: 10/30/03
Posts: 4963
Loc: Marina del Rey,CA
When you say CA. do you mean Canada or California? For California, you can get USGS or Tom Harrison maps; for Canada. maybe Phat will post on this-he's up that way.
_________________________
Don't get me started, you know how I get.
Registered: 06/13/11
Posts: 10
Loc: solano co. ca.
Originally Posted By TomD
When you say CA. do you mean Canada or California? For California, you can get USGS or Tom Harrison maps; for Canada. maybe Phat will post on this-he's up that way.
california; mostly looking for maps of the PCT system and some of the wilderness areas in the sierras ( good quality topos with marked trails), our local sports chalet used to have nice topos but havent seen them there lately, BTW thanks for all the great suggestions everyone i think my REI store would probably be my best source.
I like Topo! Explorer for maps. The state versions are $49 and contain all the maps for the whole state. The cost is $49. You can buy it on CD at REI or Amazon. Or just google Topo!Explorer and you will find it on the National Geographic site.
For those who use GPS, it will also download waypoints.
The program is a little difficult to use, and it REALLY does help to read the directions.
No need to photoshop the USGS maps if you have adobe std and/or adobe pro. You can span the usgs maps across 9 pages to their full size then just cut and tape them together(which could get time consuming.) I really like the lastest USGS maps that have been released. They don't have trails but the contours are a lot sharper when you turn off the sat. photo overlay.
You can also also order forest and wilderness maps for the national forest service store.
mytopo.com has online maps you can print yourself and also gives you the ability to order custom maps with utm and/or Lat/Log ticks on the side.
mapper.acme.com is another online map
_________________________
My gear is no where near lightweight
Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:
Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!