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How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

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How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 02 05, 2014 •  [Post 1]

Pretty cool and free way to download your own 7.5 M USGS Topos.

1. Go to http://store.usgs.gov.

2. Once the page loads, click on the Map Locator and Downloader link in the upper left corner.

3. With the Map Locator page up, you can either click around on the map (rolling your mouse to zoom in/dragging map left, right, up, down) or enter the location of the USGS Quad you want (if you know it). If you scroll in, you'll see the quads start popping up so you can choose the one you want. For example purposes, I’ll use a known quad from here in WA; Sleeping Beauty, WA. After you enter Sleeping Beauty, WA in the Search line, make sure you click "USGS Map Name" from the drop down to the right then, click GO.

4. You’ll see your map pop up in the middle of the screen with an upside down pink teardrop in it. Left click on the teardrop. A selection screen will pop up on your map (you may have to adjust the page down a little by dragging the bar on the side so you can see the selection screen pop up). Go to the top link below the blue download button with the white arrow. You should see 29.89M. Left click on it, then save (select your desktop as destination), and a file name for the map, i.e., SleepingBeautyWA.zip. Yes, it’s a big file and will take some time to download.

5. Once done, open up your “free” USGS top map. You can manipulate it a bit once you get into the map you’ve downloaded and can adjust the print size. There are map option selections on the left side of the window. On the very bottom, you can select images to change your map to a SAT view.

6. To select an adjacent map to the one you chose earlier, simply go back to the internet page, click on the “mark point” button on the right side, move your mouse to the next quad you want, and left click on the map. The upside down teardrop should appear. Just like before, follow the instructions starting with the left click on the teardrop in the new map to save.

7. Lastly, because your saved file is a PDF, you can do a “snapshot” of an area, paste it into MS Paint, and mark it up. If you need some notes on how to do that, let me know.

Have fun.
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby easeup » 02 05, 2014 •  [Post 2]

ahhhh....the consummate geek for elknuts.

thank you mr. phantom
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby Lark Bunting » 02 05, 2014 •  [Post 3]

What is the largest map size you can print?

8x11
11x17
17x22
22x34

???

I'd love to utilize the color plotter I have access to.
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 02 05, 2014 •  [Post 4]

Lark Bunting wrote:What is the largest map size you can print?

8x11
11x17
17x22
22x34

???

I'd love to utilize the color plotter I have access to.


Not sure, I can check tomorrow ;)
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby Swede » 02 06, 2014 •  [Post 5]

RJ I don't know how you figure this stuff out. I think we could use a division in the archives for stuff like this too. If it is not too difficult, maybe John can set us up.
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 02 06, 2014 •  [Post 6]

Lark Bunting wrote:What is the largest map size you can print?

8x11
11x17
17x22
22x34

???

I'd love to utilize the color plotter I have access to.


Tom, I played around with this a bit this morning. Once your map is saved to desktop, it appears one has the ability to print a 25.5" X 33 " map which includes all the margin information (woo hoo!). Now, if a person has access to a machine like you, you're golden. If not, one could take the file on a USB drive to Kinkos or similar business and they would probably print off the map on one big sheet. A guy could also just buy a pre printed map from USGS for 15 bones. Or, a guy could do what I just did and open the file/map, click print, and select "poster". This feature will print nine 8 1/2 by 11 sheets that fit together (contour lines appear to match up well from sheet to sheet). A bit of scotch tape and you'll end up with a complete quad map. I did one in black and white and it looks something like this before you'd tape it together. Pretty darn cool huh 8-)

IMG_0471.jpeg
IMG_0471.jpeg (105.36 KiB) Viewed 9990 times
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby cnelk » 02 06, 2014 •  [Post 7]

Nice map RJ!
I can see where I would hunt on it! :)
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 02 06, 2014 •  [Post 8]

cnelk wrote:Nice map RJ!
I can see where I would hunt on it! :)


Noooooo. Dang it.. delete, delete, delete, recall, recall, recall :lol:
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby bowhunter99 » 02 06, 2014 •  [Post 9]

Just did one at work...looks great!
Thanks for the step-by-step instructions! I'm not patient (or smart) enough to figure this stuff out.
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby Lark Bunting » 02 06, 2014 •  [Post 10]

That is awesome! Looks like I can print full "D" size (22x34) maps. Now to find laminate to make them waterproof... :lol:
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby Mikeha33 » 02 06, 2014 •  [Post 11]

It's a great tool. I had my local print shop laminate 2 - 24x36's for me last year, and it was only $11. Well worth it. It did make them a little more difficult to fold, but after jamming them down inside your pack 10,000 times, they loosen up :D
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Re: How to Download/Save/Print Complete USGS Topo Maps

Postby Lefty » 02 06, 2014 •  [Post 12]

I just bought color ink for my printer just for maps
Gonna give it a try tomarrow
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