Which Maps?

[Newb]

Ok guys. I am hiking Watauga north thru Damascus and then north 50 miles from D-town. Which two maps do I need? I cant figure it out anymore I'm too old and lazy.

[moldy]

On the ATC map sales web page. They now force you to first purchase a 2 map deal item (Q)#133 which covers from the north end of the Smoky Park to a few miles south of Damascus. You will only use maps 1&2 of this set. Then you need item (P)#132 which covers from that sport north to well on the other side of the Mt Rogers/Grayson highlands area.
Then they have a new 2 map set coming out in May 2011. That will cover From Damascus North to Pearisburg(I think). This a new map that replaces a worthless map that needed updating. Attempting to get the right map is very confusing because they don't use names or starting and ending points that are recognizable to most hikers. VA state line to the New River would be recognizable to hikers. Instead they use National Forest names like Southern end of Washington National Forest to Jefferson National Forest. I guess they are involved is the politics of who pays for what within overlapping jurisdictions of the forest service, park service and States. By making it confusing they sell more maps.

[JaxHiker]

Watauga (http://ims.er.usgs.gov/gda_services/download?item_id=5240893&quad=Watauga%20Dam&state=TN&grid=7.5X7.5&series=TNM%20GeoPDF)
Damascus (http://ims.er.usgs.gov/gda_services/download?item_id=5215244&quad=Damascus&state=VA&grid=7.5X7.5&series=Map%20GeoPDF)

[Tenderheart]

If you're as old and as lazy as I am, just carry the pages for that section out of the current data book. Put them in a zip-lock bag and you can read them right through the plastic. Just an idea.

litefoot 2000