Customer Reviews

Trails Illustrated National Parks Death Valley (Trails Illustrated - Topo Maps USA)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The fact that this map is done through National Geographic says it all. All of the Trails Illustrated Maps are the golden standard. Sure you can get the USGS topographic maps, but you'd need dozens for an area the size of Death Valley and beyond that, they won't give you 'the big picture.' This map is especially designed for outdoor recreation. You get a road map at the visitor center but this is for hikers and off-roaders. The outdoors can be a rough place and Death Valley can be especially difficult. This map is built to survive America's hottest and driest weather. It is waterproof and tear resistant. For years, this 1996 edition has accompanied me on countless backpacking trips and 4x4 adventures. While it's now dirty as heck, it's as intact and functional as ever. In contrast, the 2006 edition is a snazzy upgrade. For starters, it's significantly easier to read. Not just a bare-bones topographical map, mountain ranges are shaded under the contour lines. Additionally, roads are much easier to see. Paved roads and significant backroads are shaded in a way that makes them much easier to visually follow. I had to write all over this 1996 version to make sense of the roads and trails. Such customizing is mostly unnecessary with the new version. Since the 1990s, personal GPS units have become all the rage. In response, the new edition has a full UTM grid. The 49ers found out that getting lost in this place could be deadly. If they had this map, they wouldn't have been lost and the area probably would have been given a different name. Don't repeat their tragedy. Bring the (updated) Trails Illustrated map with you into the Death Valley backcountry.

Great quality map, made of tear resistant and somewhat water proof paper. I found this map extremely useful when I visited Death Valley.