Best maps

[MikeDougherty]

This has more than likely been brought up many times before. But my search didn't turn up anything of substance. So if you recall the thread and have a link I would appreciate it. Anyway, on with the question...

I've been out with people who have these really detailed maps of the national forest. Complete with trail numbers/names and everything. Been wanting to get some of those myself but have not been able to find them in stores. A visit to the USDA Forest site revealed that they have two types of maps, Visitor and Topographic. I presume the ones I want are the Topo maps. But before I orderd 5 or 6 of them (@ $7 a pop) I wanted to confirm that these are going to be the maps I expect.

I also went to the USGS site and poked around there. They at least provide a preview of the map, but I'm not sure those are what I was looking for.

I am completely open to suggestions on maps here. I'm looking at US Forest and USGS because they seemed the most logical. If there is a better map product out there for finding trails please let me know.

Thanks in advance

 

[Cadaver]

I dont know if this will be of any help. But, check the county US Soil/Agriculture office. Several years ago, I was able to go in and make copies of Topo and Aerial photo maps of the county. After a while, they started going computerized and just gave me the maps. Something to check out.

 

[Gonzo]

I know the maps your talking about their Topo maps with the hiking and off road trails marked and numbered.You'll only find these ( at least thats where i get them) at ranger/visitor center. Some times there stations/visitor center is not even in the park/forest/preserve like the station of the Santa Ana mountains is not even in the park is in Corona. Or you can get the National Geographic maps online I have a few of those.

Remeber if it's not a National park or nantional forest area the trails are not marked and your on your own.

 

[garrett]

i'm assuming you are referring to the USGS 7.5" quad maps. the map company DeLorme based out of Freeport, ME also produces high quality relief maps with topo lines, forest roads and trails.

 

[rovercanus]

Don't trust USFS maps or the National Geographic maps. I think the greenies have gotten ahold of them. They tend to omit trails and to also call vehicle trails "foot paths". I think there's a bit of intentional mis-direction there. I always stick to the USGS quad maps.

 

[tehamarx]

FS maps show locked gates, Delorme doesn't. NG maps not as detailed as 7.5' topos. IMHO.

 

[marc olivares]

... NG maps not as detailed as 7.5' topos. IMHO....

i'm not sure which NG maps you are refering to, but the national geographic topo software i have has the exact same detail as single 7.5 topo maps.
in fact, i've seen more roads on the topo software than on some 7.5 maps.

i love the NG topo state series, i use them for wheeling, hiking, and finding slot canyons.

 

[edthediscoman]

I just got a set of trail maps for the whole San Bernadino range from the Cal Assoc Of 4WD clubs....so I hope those are right - as these guys ought to know. They also lobb against the tree huggers and anti access groups. Some cool stuff too.
www.cal4wheel.com
1-800-4x4-funn
I will be scouting out those trails here in the near future.

 

[edthediscoman]

After re-reading the first post, I beleive I got a set of the ones you want. They have topo stuff, trail numbers etc, and they come in a bound book, complete with some 3D pictures of the terrain from the above people for Socal. They are all plastic laminated which is handy. The Socal trails is about 20 bucks or so, I am sure there are more geographic areas available, and they are dedicated 4x4 trails.

 

[nwoods]

Ed, I'd like to know more about that laminated book. Sounds great. I just picked up some books from the TruckFestival in Ontario that are also really great.

Large format color publications, called "Backcountry Adventures" by Peter Massey and Jeanne Wilson. In that book, they critize the US Forest Service maps (gently), they like the DeLorme atlas, but it's mostly just roads and not so great for trails. They reccommend the National Geofraphic "Trials Illustrated" topo maps, but state that they show only a few of the off road trails. However, they LOVE the Maptech Terrain Navigator series on CD-ROM. The California set includes nearly 3,000 maps at 1:24,000 scale and 116 at 1:100,000 scale.

Overall, this Backcountry Adventures book is fantastic, with great trial descriptions, ratings, history, GPS coords, and directions. I got the books for AZ, Utah, Colorado, and SoCal. Didn't get NorCal and I kick myself now for not getting that one.

 

[edthediscoman]

Let me find out the name, my buddy has the map right now, but he may come with us on Sunday for a drive.
I checked the website, but the guide is not on their website. They had them at the show for 20 bucks, which is where we got one. It was to the left of the blonde selling maps....at the Cal4wheel booth. I also entered for the raffle, figure I can sell the Jeep and get a new engine if i win.

 

[MikeDougherty]

Let me find out the name, my buddy has the map right now, but he may come with us on Sunday for a drive.
I checked the website, but the guide is not on their website. They had them at the show for 20 bucks, which is where we got one. It was to the left of the blonde selling maps....at the Cal4wheel booth. I also entered for the raffle, figure I can sell the Jeep and get a new engine if i win.

Please post the name and source here when you find it. I am interested in this book as well.

 

[tehamarx]

i'm not sure which NG maps you are refering to...

Marc,
I bought a set of National Geographic maps of Gold Lakes area in Norcal last yr, they were printed from a kiosk. I also bought a FS map of the same area and the FS map had better detail of roads,trails.gates. The NG map did have topo lines. My Delorme was wrong on one road (non-existent or deleted connection).

Sometimes it's better to have more than one map.....

 

[Leslie]

I concur, the USGS 7.5-minute topographic maps are the standard. Have to admit, I've had access to digital versions and plotters, that I don't buy them anymore.

If you are handy w/ computers: you can locate DRGs (Digital Raster Graphics) of the USGS' maps. The USGS' own site is mostly set up to sell you printed copies, or to sell you digital ones on CD. But if you hunt around, you can find them online via different locations online.

As an example, for California: http://gis.ca.gov/DRG.epl From there you can either view Cali maps online, or download the scans of the topo sheets.

As another, in Virginia, the state resells DRGs, as such: http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DMR/DOCS/Digit/drg2.html . But, if you look around, you can find the topo maps for the coalfields of southwestern Virginia in AutoCAD format, downloadable for your use : http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/Dmlr/Materials for Downloading/StateMap.htm

I've found that, most of the time, with a bit of surfin' you should be able to find any 7.5-topo online somewhere.


While not available for everywhere but only for select locations, I do like National Geographic's Trails Illustrated series, which are based on the USGS topos as the basemap, contain additional info, and are waterproof. Not cheap if you're gonna buy a lot of 'em, but if you've got a particular area that you revisit a lot, it'd be a good investment. http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/trails/maps.cfm