Google Earth Topo Overlay - A Mapping Discussion

One of the 10 essentials is a map (and a GPS is nice too), especially if you are going into a new area, or even better (worse) going off maintained trails to do some fun exploration.


When this happens, often times available maps (i.e. USGS topo, Tom Harrison maps) are not sufficient because the trail / area you planning on using isn't there.

So some people like to use mapping software like National Geographic TOPO! or Garmin Mapsource to make maps and wapoints to print out and download to a GPS.

Well now I think there's a better, if not somewhat more tedious option.