Map Scales

I went to go buy an updated map for the park area I spend a lot of time in. I narrowed my choices to two, each with their pro's and con's. My deciding factor became which map scale worked on my UTM Grid. One map is 1:45,000 the other 1:60,000. Of course the standard UTM Grids don't have either one of these scales on it.

I like USGS 7.5 maps that run on 1:24,000 but don't like having to buy 2 or 3 maps for one route and they are not personalized at all with trailheads, popular routes, trail names, mileage, etc., all on one sheet.

Why can't map companies at least standardize their map scales to whats on the UTM Grids? Is there any rational reason for this?

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I know REI has a custom map printing kiosk that may, or may not, help.

All of my experience is with USGI maps.

You previously could order maps and protractors from the US Army Corps of Engineers. I don't know if that is still possible these days though.

All of the US (actually the planet) has a USGI map available. Most are of very good quality, but may be dated due to a lack of interest in the area. Obviously Ft. Riley KS maps will be more up to date than middle of nowhere western KS.

Hey Izzy, I know that you and couple others are hot on mytopo.com. I recall going there based on something you mentioned before. i will have to head back.

I understand you can piece together multiple maps for a single trek but can you add the route, mileage, trailhead, oversights, etc?

I bought a handheld GPS a couple years ago and it came with its own mapping software so if I need a map I can just print my own. If I want somehting really nice its easy enough to print to a pdf and take to an office supply store on a flash drive and pay a little to have it printed.

http://mapper.acme.com/

This is my favorite. It is not a set of maps, it is a mashup of MAPS, SATELLITE, HYBRID, TERRAIN, TOPO, DOQ, NEXRAD & MAPNIC.

Place the crosshair on your location and then switch between view types in the upper right corner.

You pick the scale.

I second a vote for MyTopo.com. I ordered a map there last Thursday afternnon and it arrived at my door on Monday.
The deal that they offer is you actually choose the size, scale and border of your map. It comes on waterproof paper printed with waterproof ink. You can also specify if you want it grid marked for UTM, MGRS or Lat/Long.

I am old school and prefer the 1:50,000 DMA military maps, 15 minutes of lat/long with MGRS/UTM grid already printed. I do not know of a source although I am told you can order them special through the USGS.

When I ordered a special map from MyTopo.com, I specified MGRS grid and 1:25,000 scale. That way my military grid romer fits perfectly and the grid lines are already pre-printed. The map is 24x36 and takes in a lot more area than any single 1:24,000 USGS 7.5 scale map.

Hope that helps. I am going to look into the Army Corp of Engineers as a possible source of DMA maps! Cheers.

Thanks