Anyway, I just got my first gps (Garmin 62stc on sale for 50% off!). Two reasons: Now that I'm 65, can't rely on physical endurance to get me out of a jam, so I'm doing more planning. Also, this is going to make my solo snowshoe trips in the Sierra Nevada slightly more secure.
My question is: What are the best maps (both paid and free) to download to the gps. I've already loaded the California 24k topo from GPSFile Depot (which took me two days of chicken pecking effort).

I'm befuddled by this whole process. Viewing raster files??? I've discovered that KML and KMZ files are designed to drive a person KoMpLetely KraZy.
HST people have a wealth of knowledge. Any suggestions or references for the technically challenged? Thank you.