USGS Topo Maps: Changes Over Time

A deep dive into some tips and tricks I've found trying to make use of the USGS Historical Topo Maps as well as modern mapping/G apps while exploring Stevens Creek Canyon on on bicycle and on foot. Some might think a map is a map, who cares. If you think (Apple/Google/Bing/etc.) Maps is the be all and end all of maps, then you might want to skip this video.

From my experience, there's no "best" map or app for this kind of task. Rather there are many maps/apps all with pluses and minuses. They vary in what details they show, what time period they cover, and how they can be used out in the field with no data connection. In the end, you need to pull together bits and pieces from several maps/apps and then form a plan and go out and see what's actually out there. Then you may need to come back, gather up what you found and then maybe find something new out of another map and repeat the process.

I find this is a great way to get to know an area in depth. For years, I was riding up and down this road and it was just that part of the ride you had to grind through to get to the trails. But now, at every turn in the road, I can look over and see that there was an old structure there or an old road heading off here, etc. This is a great way to practice map reading, navigation, cross country hiking and G/app use. It's incredible when you can link up a historical map with modern G technology and see exactly where you are and navigate on that old map and look for roads and structures and then actually find them.

About the USGS HTMC:
https://www.usgs.gov/programs/national-geospatial-program/historical-topographic-maps-preserving-past

View/download maps on the TopoView site:
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/

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