Requesting a map

mystical woodsman

mystical woodsman

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What is the appropriate way to go about acquiring a map for a particular region for a particular state? Bradford Angier gave these instructions which I forget now and I gave the book to friends son who is a boy scout (and I am not sure if the instructions are still valid).

I am sure I can Google it and find out, but you guys usually reply grease lightening fast and I am sure it could benefit someone else as well. :)
 
I would like a topo map (perhaps) but also be able to read road signs. There is a huge sweet spot in Pisgah forest with a river (South Mills) that would be a nice bug out location because there are few roads through it (at least as far as I can tell thus far), but I would like to KNOW how many there are and which ones I can get on to make my trip much more cost effective (money and physical energy).

I am still checking out Esav's site mentioned. Sleepy right now. :yawn: Will talk soon.
 
I have used all the ones mentioned so far, and I am going to highly recommend Terrain Navigator.

Here is why:
- USGS rocks. TN is just scanned in versions of the USGS maps for your ENTIRE state.
- There are over 1000 USGS maps for my state. Add the cost up of buying each of those.
- TN lets you scale and print on 8.5" x 11". I find it easier to have 3 maps stacked on top of each other, printed at different scales than it is to open close and fold a big map.
- TN has all sorts of "computer tools" built around the USGS maps. You can print with whatever grid system you want on the map (UTM, DMS, etc). Buying new USGS requires you to draw a grid.
- Based on current time, date and location, it will calculate current magnetic declination. You can print your map with the True North arrow and the magnetic declination with magnetic north arrow and with magnetic north lines. Just orient your map to magnetic north now, and don't worry about declination.
- You can draw tracks, routes, waypoints in the software. Choose whether or not to display and print them, because they are put on in different "layers"
- You can take measurements, and bearings in the software. You can choose whether you want the answer given in True North or Magnetic north.
- Interfaces with your GPS, if you like that sort of thing.

There are many other features to list. Those are just the highlights. It works great for me.

Also, you probably not going to get a single map that meets your need. But, if you used TN you can use the software to put the additional road symbols and such that you want on the map and they will be there permanently. Depending on what you are doing, you can choose to display them or not (same goes with printing).

I usually print my maps as PDFs and save them all set up the way I want. I print off two sets. One "user" set, and one backup (either laminated or in a watertight bag). I can mark up my "user" set all I want, use them in the rain, etc. When I get home, I generally transcribe any data, and then throw them out. If I go back to the same area, I go back to my PDFs and print them out again.

My long winded two cents :D

Brian
 
Don't forget that many areas have high quality aerial photos available online as well, such as Google Earth, Yahoo Maps, and Windows Live Local. (need a fairly recent version of internet explorer to view the maps on live local, or you'll just get a blank page)

I work a lot with aerial images, topo maps, and other layers such as roads, railways, hydrology, soil types, etc., and download most of them from ESRI or USGS, but you'd need an appropriate GIS to work with them.
 
Since it looks like you're wanting a map more for the roads than hiking, I think one of the DeLorme Atlas series would be perfect for your use. They show a state at a very high detail and have all the roads, campgrounds, trails, etc. and have contour intervals.
 
BlackHills said:
Since it looks like you're wanting a map more for the roads than hiking, I think one of the DeLorme Atlas series would be perfect for your use. They show a state at a very high detail and have all the roads, campgrounds, trails, etc. and have contour intervals.
Click to expand...

Well, truthfully, I am no master at using maps but I do know the basics. If it's possible, I would like a map that has topography so I can steer clear or detour around areas that severe inclines/declines and be able to name roads in case I get stopped I can come up with a good ruse as if I am a local.

I do know the area as I lived in Hendersonville, NC for five years and Pisgah Forest is truly a place to camp for a week. Many waterfalls, and friendlies but if you intend to bushwack it, the terrain (if you don't have a plan or destination with a proper route) you could end up slipping off or down a mountain :eek:
 
Use Google and/or Yahoo online maps and sat photos while you are narrowing down the region. Once you have some likely candidates, start accumulating maps. If you (or a friend) is a member of AAA, you can get excellent road maps for free. Don't plan on a single map doing everything for you. A topo map is a PITA to use for driving directions, and a road map isn't very helpful in reading terrain. Some computer maps do a pretty good job of toggling between the two.

-- FLIX
 
I've purchased several maps from "Mytopo" with good results. Also some of the aerial photo's have come in handy. The larger sizes and waterproof material are convenient and not something I can print at home.
 
Maps in Delorme Topo USA are okay at about $50. I use these for work often. Delorme also sells CD's that contain all the 7.5' maps for a given state. I have two states so far, which are the ones I use the most. These run $100 more or less per state. That might sound like a lot of money but if you use them and it saves you a trip to the map store or ordering from the USGS, you can pay for them pretty quickly and you can scale them to whatever scale you like.

Small maps are available via TerraServer for free as are aerial photographs for a lot of the US. Google it. For me they are okay, but are not flexible enough.
 
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