I used to plan my trips with a paper map and a highlighter, then I switched to CalTopo

For years, I'd get a big paper map, spread it out on my table, and trace my planned route with a yellow highlighter. It felt solid, but I did a 4-day loop in the Trinity Alps last fall and my plan fell apart fast when a trail was washed out. This spring, I tried CalTopo for a trip in the Sawtooths. Being able to layer different maps, check slope angles, and drop pins for water sources on my phone before I even left home was a game changer. I could see the actual fire closure lines and reroute in minutes instead of guessing. The real win was having the map on my phone in the field, so when I hit a sketchy creek crossing, I could pull up a satellite view right there and find a better spot. Has anyone else made a jump like this and found a specific feature that saved a trip?

3 comments

3 Comments

simonh781mo ago

Man, I was a total paper map holdout for the longest time. Thought all the apps were for people who couldn't read a real map. Then I got caught in a whiteout on a ridge and my soggy map was useless. Having a GPS map on my phone that showed my exact dot on the trail probably saved me a really bad night. The slope shading feature is the real hero though, lets me avoid sketchy terrain I might have missed on paper.

kimg571mo ago

Oh man, @simonh78, I feel that... I was the same way until my paper map blew right out of my hands on a windy pass. Had to sheepishly pull out my phone.

theahart19d ago

My uncle was a master carpenter who swore by hand tools until he tried a laser level. Said it felt like cheating but then he couldn't go back. It's that same thing, right? We get attached to the old way because it feels pure or skilled. Then the new tool does something the old one just couldn't, like showing your exact spot in a storm. Makes you wonder what else we're stubborn about for no good reason.