Making an Outing Map
You MUST have a map when going on an outing!
Step One - Who is the Land Manger
Figure out where you are going. Who's property are you going to travel through or camp on? Determine the land manger by looking at this map: Administrative Boundaries Map.
Step Two - Researching the Site
After determining who the land manger is, determine what the regulations are there.
Is camping allowed?
Campfires?
Parking Pass?
Hiking Pass?
Bear Canisters?
Areas to avoid - avalanche, fires, floods?
Start by researching the official web page for that area, determined by who the Land Manger is (Step One).
Look at other travel sites about the area
Contact the Ranger. They have information that no one else has.
Step Three - What Area do you need a Map for
Determine where you are going to go.
How do you get there
Where will you camp
Emergency evac routes
Step Four - Finding a Map
There are many map options. If you just want to buy a map, you can head over the REI in Seattle and find a suitable map. Metskers Maps is Seattle is another great option; if they don't have the map you need, they can make one for you.
DIY Map
You can print out your own map. This saves money, time and allows you to make the map you want in the scale you want. Here are a few options:
Allows you to print one page custom maps
Great option for short trips and day outings
Save as PDF and share with everyone on outing - since everyone should have a map
USGS 7.5 minute topo Maps - Formatted by National Geographics
These USGS maps are set up to be printed on 4 separate pages
Print out Pages, trim edges and tape them together
Great option when you need a map for a large area
USGS Maps - Formatted by National Geographics
Go to https://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads
Scroll down to this tool:
Zoom in to the area you want a map of:
Click on Red Boxes to see download options:
If you click on the Red Box, you will see a link to the map you want and a thumbnail of the 7.5' quad map corresponding the the Red Box.
Click on the link and download your map. Continue to download any other maps that cover the area you are interested in.
Although the print size can be scaled up or down using your PDF print tools, USGS maps are 1:24,000 scale.
If you miss the Red Box, a window will pop up for a link to a product available for purchase and NOT the 7.5' quad map you are looking to print out.
Unless you want to purchase the nice fold out Trail Illustrated map for sale. It's a great map, but 1:100,000 scale just gives you a rough idea of what's out there.
The Cover Page shows you how to arrange the following pages.
Cover Page
See how pages line up and overlap?
Now it's crafting time.
Print out your map sheets. Make sure to save the legend with scale on at least one page - or cut it out and tape to a part of the map you don't need (such as area you won't visit or the back of map).
Assemble map, take care to carefully line it up. Take your Time trimming and aligning the map.
Tape map sections together.
For best results - first tape corners of map sections as you align the map, followed by taping the center of sections, areas between tape and so on, like you would stitch weld sheet metal. This allows you to align your map with greater precision.
If you like to mark your map with routes, launch and takeout points, campsites, etc. - do so now
Fold and place in map case of large freezer bag.
