For a landscape photographer, hiking and taking images go hand-in-hand. And hiking means I always carry a trail and topographic map. When I hike locally, I typically carry maps by Tom Harrison (see also a recent interview with the Marin IJ newspaper). Why? Because they are the maps-of-choice for our local search and rescue teams. What’s good enough for them is good enough for me.
So I was excited to learn that some of his very detailed maps are now available on the iPhone. I immediately purchased the map of Mount Tamalpais and am very pleased with it.
Great detail when zoomed in on the left. Measuring distance on the right
Here’s what I really like about these maps:
- Incredible detail and still very readable when zoomed in. Much better than any other map that I’ve seen so far on the iPhone
- Lots of information: Trails, backcountry roads, peaks, canyons, water features, campgrounds, point of interest, ranger stations and more
- Information is very accurate (based on my own experience hiking Mount Tam plus Tom Harrison’s reputation
- GPS tracking while you hike
- Measuring distance between freely definable points on the map
- Support for compass and adding bearings in case you do not use a compass
- Add your own markers and export them into CSV files (plus instructions on their site on how to import the CSV exports into Google Earth)
- Good help system plus nice additional information on the site
The only potential downside: The maps are expensive for an iPhone application. But then, you do get very high quality maps plus the ease of mind that these are among the best maps you can have with you when hiking and photographing.
Verdict: Highly Recommended – an easy Editor’s Pick
Available maps: Yosemite Recreation Map, Yosemite Trail Map, Sequoia and Kings Canyon Recreation Map, Mount Tamalpais Trail Map, Point Reyes Trail Map, San Diego Backcountry Trail Map, Angeles Front Country Trail Map, Mammoth High Country Trail Map
Price: $4.99 per map
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