[pct-l] Maps

[Tony@TonyNitz.com (Tony Nitz)]

Hi Edmond,

Go to http://www.hikermaps.com, and although a complete set is not available yet, you will find very accurate and useful PCT maps.  I have posted the first 365 miles, from the Mexico boarder to Wrightwood, CA, and about another 600 miles from Seiad Valley, CA, to White Pass, WA.  These maps show an accurate trail route, plus side trails, landmarks, and waypoints.  They cover a much larger area than the guide books, so they are useful for orienteering, and they include a trail profile so you can guage the steepness of sections if you aren't accustomed to reading topo maps.  They are free to download, and printing instructions are included on the website.  Also, they're in color.  The guide books are good for planning, and I recommend that you buy the set, but for the actual walk these maps are much more useful to carry.  I only have about a third of the trail available online right now, but for southern California and Oregon these are the best way to go.  Check 'em out and see what you think.

Enjoy your hike,
Tony

---ORIGINAL MESSAGE---
Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2002 19:04:14 -0800
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
From: Edmond Meinfelder <edmond@meinfelder.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Maps

Pardon my inexperience, but what exactly are the Trail Guides (Schaffer, etc.) good for? The maps seem useless and, for re-supply at least, the PCT Town Guide strikes me as more useful.

Related question: Are the trail signs/blazes good enough to make it without maps?

Thanks.