Where do you get your detailed 1:24000 maps?

[Love the Sierra]

Hi everyone,
I have been using CalTopo for online trip and route planning, Tom Harrison or National Geo for big overview maps and MyTopo.com for the tear proof, waterproof detail map I take on the trip. However, MyTopo.com is not really functioning any more. I found that CalTopo has a partner, Mountyn.com that prints tear proof maps and ordered my first. I am waiting for it to arrive but it will be smaller than I am used to. I will definitely have to pull out the glasses every time I look at it!
Where do all of you get your maps?
Thanks!

[SSSdave]

One can certainly buy them from the USGS online store that used to be $8 each or other paper map sources that tends to change. We once had a thread for maps with links but is certain to be dated now.

Easy to print custom maps for just a few bucks at high quality if one has basic image processing skills. I screen copy using the Window's Snipping Tool partial Caltopo map sections of interest into Photoshop then combine them. Of course a whole map of interest may be larger than will fit on one's computer display for screen copying, thus a need to combine. At Fed Ex Office, print out using their fancy color printers that use high quality paper at size 8.5x11, partial map sections of 8x10, trim the sections, then tape them together. I use same 2.63" equals one mile 24k scale. If one's map can fit on an 11x17 sheet, one could also just FedEx print onto that without taping, however using multiple 8.5x11 paper sheets is cheaper than one large sheet.

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=21120&p=160972&hilit=print#p160972

[LightBulb]

I download the historical usgs quads (the new GIS ones don't usually have the trails yet) and have them printed at an office supply store in color on blueprint paper.

I find the long side being around 23" is the correct size for me. I don't worry about water/tear proofing because I store in in a gallon ziplock bag clipped to a strap on my backpack for easy access.

[looks easy from here]

If I need anything more detailed than 1:40,000 NatGeo I print them off on 8.5"x11" off CalTopo, trim them to fit flat in a gallon ziplock bag, then just rotate the pages throughout the trip so the applicable one is on top.

[Love the Sierra]

Thanks so much!
@SSSdave that is more time and work than I have and we do not even have photoshop any more.
@LightBulb blue print paper! Interesting, I never thought of that. Thank you.
@looks easy from here Clipping the baggie to the pack is an interesting idea. What sort of clip do you use to prevent the baggie from tearing? I could use a small, lightweight waterproof stuff sack too. I always stuff maps into my pockets which really increases the wear and tear. On the shoulder strap that would keep them at hand and yet more protected than my pockets. Thanks for that idea.

I have also taped printed CalTopo pages together but it is just not as nice as a real map.

I just received the Mountyn.com map and I really like it. The paper is terrific and lighter than Mytopo.com or printing from your printer. It also will be more durable. The synthetic paper seems indestructible but hard to fold and they sent a sample of the coated paper which is incredibly waterproof. They are 12x18” and printed on two sides. They printing is clear and well done and the customer service is excellent. I will be ordering from them again.

[LightBulb]

@Love the Sierra Yea on the strap is very handy, but I usually look at my map every 10 minutes. Just make sure the clips are very secure and protect it when going through heavy bush or glissading (I usually put it in my back pocket then or add a clip to my chest strap)

[BSquared]

@LightBulb , would mind saying which office store? Staples, for example, doesn't seem to offer appropriate sizes...

[grampy]

@BSquared -

11x17 format is (obviously) the cheapest … Staples will do color printing (on plain white paper) for $.99 / sheet. There’s one near you, or they will ship it for $5.

Fedex Office does architectural printing; a 24x36 (“D-size architectural format) printed in black & white is $4.50 each … color printing goes way up to $36. Again, this is just plain paper stock (not waterproof). Add more for shipping, but they do have a store in Burlington.

Hopefully that helps.

[dave54]

https://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/raster ... states.php

Covers FS land.

Print 8.5x11 on a home printer and the scale is 1" = 1 mile. Photo paper works better than plain stock.

[zacjust32]

Go look for an architecture/engineering blueprint shop. I've looked at staples, office depot, etc. and they want over $25 for anything large print in color. My local construction blueprint shop is $5 for a 24x36 in color.