How to get free USGS topographical maps

If you live anywhere in the U.S., then you can have free topographical maps from the government. The reason I bring this up is that if you try to download maps off most national forest websites, you get to pay for them. Price is about $8 - 15 per map. Being a cheap skate, and wanting more than my fair share of maps of my favorite wheeling areas, I don't plan on giving the government $100 when my tax dollars paid to create them in the first place. So after digging around and much trial and error, here is how you get them. First go to the USGS website.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...psd14812ef.jpg

Next click on the yellow maps and publications bar

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...psc82907cb.jpg

Then zoom in on the area you want a map from

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...psf9b984d5.jpg

Then click on Mark points and then click on the quadrangle you want

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...psb09237a4.jpg

Then comes the non intuitive part. You click on the little orange upside down tear drop and you will get a list like this

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...psc2d38ccf.jpg

You then get a list of all maps available for this quadrangle.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps1672311f.jpg

I had three choices for this area. If Wentworth Springs sounds familiar, this map has part of the Rubicon Trail on it. The lower map I don't find very useful. The other two choices are for a 1953 map and a 1973 map. I chose the latest one possible. Click on the map of your choice

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps4556edf0.jpg

This image shows an oversized thumbnail of the map. If you like it, click on the image

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...psa7532719.jpg

What you get next is the full size PDF file. Full size the map is about 24" wide. You can zoom in using Adobe Reader and examine it more fully. It has now automatically been downloaded to your desk top.

So, why do you want maps like this when you can just use a GPS? To find good wheeling trails of course. Depending on the date of last printing, the good trails will be marked "Jeep Trail" or on the later pubs 4WD. The Rubicon Trail and Sierra Trek Trail is marked 4WD on the newer pubs for instance. If you like going where the crowd is not gathered, then this is a good way to find those spots. On the map above this one, there are several "Jeep Trails" indicated that I have never heard of and can find no record of them on the net. So, guess where I will be going :bacondance:

This is AWESOME! Thanks for sharing!

saved

thanks for the info! Wonder what i can find around Texas...