Free Map Program

“Some of you may know about this program, but for those that don't ....

It's called USAPhotoMaps and it is a program that will allow you to pull-up maps, both USGS 7.5 Topos as well as aerial photos and print them. If you have a GPS you can enter all your waypoints, download your tracks and do just about everything those other expensive programs do. If you just want free maps of your area, maps for your next hike or want to see what it looks like from the air, this is for you. If you like the program, send the guy a few bucks.

This program is being upgraded constantly, with new features being added all the time, so keep checking for updates. It's not quite in the same league as TOPO, but then it is free! You will need to enter Lat/Lon or UTM coordinates to get the center of your area. The learning curve is steeper then Topo or Terrian Navigator, but like I said it's free.

You need to go to the site and download the USAMaps 2.09 file (it's only 241 kb, zipped) open it in a folder then make a short cut to your desk top (USAPhotoMaps logo) and your ready to go. You can get help starting out at these sites..
Kim's Notesand
Doug Cox & Jack Yeazel
and another site that has more information on mapping programs is Digital Grove Mapping
Here is a thread at the Geocaching site talking about.”

“cool! thanks”

“You da (mountain) MAN!!! Thanks!”

“thanks a million Steve!”

“Damn Steve, that sofware ROCKS! I know what I'll be doing the rest of the day!”

“wow thats the coolest program on my computer now, should keep me occupied for a couple o' months”

“Back to the top..... you must download this software, you'll never buy another map again!”

“For those of you with GPS's and EasyGPS , you can use them to download all the waypoints and POI's to USAPhotoMap...then all you need to do is right click on the map and you will have all the locations in that area ready to be clicked on. I added a couple caches near Lassen, checked the box that says "also download nearest placenames and now I have a rather complete list of places to go to without having to put in Lat/Lon....I like it!

You are supposed to be able to read the EasyGPS files directly I think, but I haven't figured that out yet...anyone able to do this without having to use your GPS to load them?”

“Your welcome....


Map on.....”

“Those of you that are computer literate have probably figured this out........

You don't need a GPS to put in all the waypoints and points of interest you could ever ask for...Just download the waypoints, along with nearest placenames into EasyGPS, open the file and go to select all in "Edit", then go to "file" and click on "save as"..save it as a gpx file, and put it back in the EasyGPS folder...then go to "Waypoints" in USAPhotoMap and find the EasyGPS file and click on it. Waaay easy.”

“BTTT...

My new computer at the office needs to be deflowered and this should be a great first time experience for her.”

“Mtnsteve, are you attempting to incite untrained cartographers to prepare their own maps? Why, that's nothing short of BLASPHEMY!

Heed the words of the late Sir Winston Churchill on the eve of WWII:
"Never, never, never believe any map will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on this strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The amateur cartographer who yields to map fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events!"

You have been warned!”

“We be slaves and stuff......





Bring on the unforeseeable and uncontrollable!!!!”