How to Explore the Backcountry With Benchmark Maps

Benchmark Maps is a company that prints detailed road and recreational atlases for interested explorers and backpackers. These atlases offer a range of information for any given location, although they are restricted to only the eight states on the west coast of the United States. Popular landmarks identified on the maps include campgrounds, trail heads and road conditions. Each state packet includes different map scales.

Instructions

    • 1

      Observe the color shade used in each of area of your Benchmark Map while exploring the back-country to determine the managing authority of each area. For instance, green-shaded areas are Forest Service land and you will need to follow the guidelines in these regions before setting up camp, since they are explicitly identified as a designated camp ground.

    • 2

      Choose an appropriately scaled map for your specific back-country journey. For instance, you will want to choose a map scale such as 1:750,000 (where one inch equals 12 map miles) rather than a 1:250,000 (where one inch equals 4 map miles) if you will be exploring the whole state rather than a specific area.

    • 3

      Identify the U.S. Forest Service and other authority contact numbers in your Benchmark Map to reach them in case of emergencies. These numbers will also come in handy if you get lost or simply require additional information about a specific area.