Paper Topo Maps

[Maximus Ram]

Not sure if this is the correct spot for this , but....
I did a search and it seems most everyone uses GPS these days. Is there a good source to get paper topo maps. I know delorme puts out some, but are there others. I am looking for forest service road markers and other such road indicators.
Thanks....

[DaveM]

Yes, the Forest Service! ;) You can order most NFS maps over the phone by calling the districts you need. Also REI and other outdoor supply stores usually carry some NFS maps for the most popular areas.

The USGS map store is located in Menlo Park CA (Bay Area) and carries a huge variety of topo maps for all of CA, most of AZ, OR, WA & AL I believe (1:2400 & 1:100,00). You can get BLM maps here as well, but coverage is spotty unless they have recently re-ordered. These can be ordered online as well, but perusing the map store is much more fun :D

[DaveInDenver]

I don't have a GPS box...

Paper map-wise, I am lucky. The USGS has a map outlet at the Federal Center in Lakewood, CO and so getting topos straight from the source is easy. We also have a Mapsco in town, another good source. REI used to sell them, but I try to avoid going there as much as possible.

I do also use the DeLorme Atlas/Gazetter and Trails Illustrated, which I usually can find at Mapsco or a local bookstore.

[paulj]

Forest Service maps are the authoritative source of information on the roads that they maintain. They also show their campgrounds. However they tend to be cluttered and hard to read. Also they don't usually show topography, at least not contours.

The USGS maps are best for topography. But at 7.5' (minutes) on the side, you need a lot of maps to cover a trip - unless you are crawling. Also they often are out of date when it comes to changable manmade things like roads. I'd suggest studying them online, and just buying the paper versions where the added information is most useful.

DeLourme atlas are a handy way of carrying topographic information for a whole state. They don't have as much detail as 7.5' maps. Benchmark atlases are an alternative. Benchmark uses topographic shading instead of contours. It doesn't show as many roads, but the ones that it does show are clearer.

paulj

[Mike S]

The best source is the US Geological Survey. You can order the maps direct from USGS or, if are able, you can visit their offices and browse and purchase maps of several types and in various scales.

Some stores (REI, for instance) have a database of printable Topo maps, and you can go in and buy off he computer system. Not sure f they still do this, but up to about one year ago they were.

The best I have seen on DVD/CD are the DeLorme TopoUSA maps - really good.

Mike

[DaveM]

However they tend to be cluttered and hard to read.


Very true. They work best in conjunction with another cleaner looking map.

For anybody going into the CA Sierras, AAA N.CA has two recreation maps that cover most of the NFS land from Lake Almanor in the north to just above Sequoia Natl. Mon. in the south. They are Sirrea Nevada - Yosemite Area and Sierra Nevada - Lake Tahoe area. They show almost all of the same NFS roads the NFS maps do but on a much cleaner looking map. All NFS Rd. numbers and designations are listed. Campgrounds, wilderness areas, major hiking trails, major OHV routes. Gates. Seasonal closure dates, ranger station HQs... etc. They work great as the base map to read from while traveling the Sierras, keeping the NFS maps as back up reference.

[kellymoe]

I use just paper topo maps for my travels. Delorme for hwy travel and when I get closer to my destination I use USGS topos. You can get them from REI, Sport Chalet and online. I also use a place in Toluca Lake called Geographia, it's an awesome little map and travel shop that has the full range of USGS topo maps for the entire US. My late grandfather also left me his complete set of USGS topos for California that dates back to the early 1950's, very cool looking at the 50's map and comparing it to todays maps.

Good luck

Kevin

[Maximus Ram]

Cool, thanks for the info guys.

[nickatnite]

I don't know the exact area you are looking for; but...

I just picked up some wicked cool maps at Barnes and Nobles the other day for my upcoming trip out west. They are put out by a company called GTR Mapping. All they had at the bookstore was Colorado and Wyoming.

They are called Topographic Recreational Maps (very detailed).

http://www.gtrmapping.com/images/colorado_rec.jpg

Click here for the website (http://www.gtrmapping.com/catalog.php?category=Topo%20Recreational%20Maps)

Even tho I am using my GPS, I wanted TOPO maps for my adventure. I'm going to be spending 2-3 weeks and a good 6,000 miles on my bike.

[egn]

Why not taking electronic maps and print pages along the trail?

This should at least work for the maps with higher detail. And you can laminate the pages easily to protect them.

[craig]

The USFS is subdivided into regions, forests, and then districts. They have maps for both the fForest scale and District scale. The Forest Scale maps are good fore generally figuring out where the major roads are, but if you want to know exactly what roads are open, have gates, etc you need to get the District maps. The district maps are kinda cluttered, but at least they show everything.

Craig

[DaveInDenver]

Why not taking electronic maps and print pages along the trail?
That require having a computer and printer in his truck, correct?

[egn]

I know the area I am going to very well in advance so I print the maps for specific areas at home.

I wouldn't print anything on the road. But if you really want to be flexibel why not use electronic mapping gear for the details and a more general map as backup?

[offroad_nomad]

I carry a set of DeLorme Gazetters for the Mid Atlantic region (NC, VA, WV, PA, MD) and use Maptech as well.

[ntsqd]

In the California deserts the BLM maps are hard to beat. They don't have the topo detail level needed for orienteering, but they are based on larger scale USGS topo maps. They do have much other info like the Military Reservations, Wilderness Areas, and the ACEC's shaded in a color unique to each type. They are $2 each from places like the Ridgecrest or Barstow Field Offices, or from the Jawbone Station at Jawbone Canyon Rd. & CA-14. You can also order them by phone from one of the Field Offices. Last time I did so there was no shipping charge. It's really helpful to have one initially before phone ordering as each has an index of coverage printed on the back. Also printed on the back are descriptions of ares or locations of interest within that map's borders.

[tdesanto]

I used this site (http://publiclands.org/home.php?SID=1208199187.50422)to order several forest service maps and USGS Topo quads. Easy to use and they shipped within 24 hours.

[Maximus Ram]

all great sites and info... I need to hit up B&N to see what they have , then possibly order others online

[nwoods]

I use just paper topo maps for my travels. Delorme for hwy travel and when I get closer to my destination I use USGS topos. You can get them from REI, Sport Chalet and online. I also use a place in Toluca Lake called Geographia, it's an awesome little map and travel shop that has the full range of USGS topo maps for the entire US. My late grandfather also left me his complete set of USGS topos for California that dates back to the early 1950's, very cool looking at the 50's map and comparing it to todays maps.

Good luck

Kevin

Kevin, those maps could be extremely valuable! Not necessarily in a cash value way, but just to see all the roads and trails no longer included on today's maps! It would be a HUGE service to the community to make a high resolution scan of them and available via the internet. I know a while ago Mr. Death Valley was looking for historical info like this on the Red Rocks area to fight further trail closures. This cache of 50's era maps could be extremely useful!

[Luke]

I use the DeLorme Gazetteer for any long distance travel, and then switch to a USGS 1/24,000 topo for a specific location/destination. Wouldn't hurt to have a 1/50,000 just in case you wander outside of your 1/24,000 map. If it's an older USGS topo make sure you draw on your UTM lines at home and get proficient using your protractor!