View Full Version : Better Topo Maps
mateozzz
03-16-2009, 15:01
Is it just me or are the ATC Georgia AT topo maps kind of useless? I mean it is nice to see the trail and the major features like roads and lakes, but the topo lines are almost impossible to read. First the scale is too small, second most of the trail is either in cross-hatched or shaded areas, and third they are way too big.
In contrast, the Connecticut maps are almost double the resolution and very good contrast, no shading or crosshatches anywhere, and are just the strips where the trail goes.
So is there a good source of cheap/free maps that are actually readable? Has anyone checked Trails.com and was it worth the membership fee? Of course there are the USGS maps but figuring out which ones to buy might be difficult.
I did find this forum topic where a lot of topo maps where attached. I'll have to print one to see how it looks.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16706&highlight=georgia+topo+maps
Of course, maybe one day the ATC will actually make better maps. We can hope!
Matt
mateozzz
03-16-2009, 15:21
Actually I found the USGS map list at the ATC site. The trail is shown in very light dashed lines, not sure how accurate it is.
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/atf/cf/%7BB8A229E6-1CDC-41B7-A615-2D5911950E45%7D/AT_quad_list.pdf
Thank god, it's not just me that needs a magnifying glass to read those maps. I can hardly read the text at all. I do like the later ones like CT and PA, much better to read at a glance.
Pokey2006
03-16-2009, 15:27
I've been disappointed with hiking maps of the south in general, compared to the maps I'm used to in New England. Maybe I just haven't found the right maps yet...
mister krabs
03-16-2009, 15:48
I like the georgia maps found at georgiahikes.com http://www.georgiahikes.com/main.asp?url=/trails
I like the georgia maps found at georgiahikes.com http://www.georgiahikes.com/main.asp?url=/trailsThey are pretty old and do not show relos over the past 6 years or more. Not a problem, but if your goal is to use the topos to figure out where you are it will drive you crazy.
The GA/NC maps seem fine to me. Their real value is in determining the best way to leave the trail in an emergency and they do well at serving that purpose. The AT, compared to less used trails, is like an interstate hwy. You're not going to get lost on the trail.
Pedaling Fool
03-16-2009, 18:13
There's room for improvement on all the maps, but WRT the contour lines, if you think Georgia is bad take a look at the NH maps.
Pokey2006
03-16-2009, 19:20
Thankfully, there are all kinds of other maps of the White Mtns to choose from, because you're right, the AT-specific NH maps are horrible.
Here's a fifth ed., 1973. No profiles:
Terra Server TOPO Map
http://terraserver-usa.com/map.aspx?t=2&s=12&lon=-84.19306&lat=34.62915&w=800&h=600
Google AT Terrain Map W/Shelters and Trail
http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/at/googleat.php?lat=34.62915&lon=-84.19306&mt=3&scale=12
mateozzz
03-16-2009, 22:25
The maps at Georgia Hikes look great, hope they are accurate. I let the web master know that the Section 2 map won't load, hopefully it will be fixed soon. Thanks!
Pedaling Fool
03-17-2009, 07:47
Thankfully, there are all kinds of other maps of the White Mtns to choose from, because you're right, the AT-specific NH maps are horrible.
I bought some of those maps in one of those lodges, much better than the AT maps. IIRC, the countour lines represented 200 feet, much better in that terrain.
4eyedbuzzard
03-17-2009, 11:02
Is there a way to request Trails Illustrated to look into the possibility (profitability) of producing maps for areas they don't currently cover, such as northern GA? I've always liked their NH maps better than any others.
Actually I found the USGS map list at the ATC site. The trail is shown in very light dashed lines, not sure how accurate it is.
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/atf/cf/%7BB8A229E6-1CDC-41B7-A615-2D5911950E45%7D/AT_quad_list.pdf
some usgs quads havn't been updated for years. fine for all things not trail related. mountains, valleys, and streams don't change. the trail does however.
i like national geographics topo program, kinda expensive at 100 bucks a state. or, if you're downloading to a gps unit, map source is hard to beat. you can get the whole trail for $200 from map source (us topo 24k, national parks east). 1:24,000 scale, easy to read, useful for trip planning, print any map(s) on waterproof adventure paper from national geographic.
BlackCloud
03-17-2009, 23:21
U-S-E-L-E-S-S? Not totally; but I don't like them...