John Muir Trail Map-Pack: Shaded Relief Topo Maps (Tom Harrison Maps)

If you are looking for paper maps to go along with your smartphone app like the Guthook app this is a perfect match. I think you can probably hike the JMT without a map, because the trail is so well marked and traveled, but that wouldn't be smart. I purchased this map as a backup, you never know what may happen to your phone during a river crossing or your phone battery can drain before resupply. These maps are waterproof, so they are safe when they get wet.Advantages of Tom Harrison Maps* Light - all 15 maps weigh 2.75 oz or 78 grams (this compares to 3.3 oz or 94 grams for the Nat. Geo. Maps)* For ultralight backpackers each map weighs around 0.2 oz or 5 grams* Unlike the Nat. Geo. Maps you can separate each map for each leg of your trip and pick up new maps at resupply* Waterproof and tear resistant* Covers entire JMT and resupply points* Includes map of Horseshoe Meadows for Cottonwood Pass and Cottonwood Lake trails for north bound hikersDisadvantages of Tom Harrison Maps* The maps do not show potential backcountry campsites. I would recommend the Guthook phone app for locating yourself and potential sites or water stops real time (airplane mode). If you want to hike without technology, I would recommend the Nat. Geog. Maps.I plan on using the Tom Harrison Maps on my upcoming JMT thru hike as a backup. I will divide the maps up and mail the rest to a resupply point. See you on the trail.

I wanted to write this review because I own both this set, and the 'high country' maps (both from Tom Harrison Maps) which cover the same territory. I don't regret owning both, however it is I think worth noting that there is a choice:The JMT collections featured on this page is a NICE set. It is only ~$18 and includes 13 8x11 maps that are light weight and easy to deal with. On the other hand, they aren't folded and feel somewhat less durable than the high country maps. The scale is not as detailed as the high country maps, but they don't need to be. If you only plan on hiking the JMT, this is a great purchase, but it won't service all your sierra hiking needs (probably obvious, but worth pointing out.)The following High Country maps cover the same region (Yosemite, Mammoth, Mono Divide, Kings Canyon and Mt. Whitney.) Together, they'd come to around $50 (so $30 more than the JMT set!) To my sense of touch, these maps feel thicker and more durable. Each is folded to the same size (~4"x9")and together have a depth of about three quarters of an inch. For the real survivalist hiking the JMT all at once, the increased weight of these maps (about the equivalent of a light weight paperback book) might be significant. I'm not sure.What is most definitely significant is the additional coverage and detail on these maps. Once again, if your intention is to enjoy these mountains repeatedly, you'll eventually end up needing the high country maps anyway.Incidentally, the Tom Harrison maps web page does an excellent job of showing the coverage, but of course, it is hard to compare until you have the maps in your hands. Owning both sets, I would tend to favor the high country maps for their completeness, but in making my plans for part of the JMT trail this summer, I am still not sure which will make it in the backpack.

These maps are great JMT maps, easily read, and in sheet sections. The only negative is that they don't show most of the campsites along the trail. I will have to carry two different map sets.

The go-to map pack for hiking the JMT. The included maps are sturdy and water-proof, but are also a reasonable weight at 2.76 oz in a gallon ziplock bag. We looked into using larger maps we already owned for areas along the JMT, like a Yosemite map and a Kings Canyon/Sequoia map, but the weight of this approach ended up weighing more than the maps in this pack. We also found we preferred pulling out a small map vs. folding and unfolding the big maps while on the trail. It was fun getting to move from map to map as we hiked and count down from map #13 to #1 (we hiked N to S). We hiked the trail in 2014 and the shaded areas showing trees vs. exposure were pretty accurate...a very important detail of there is any chance of thunderstorms and you're considering crossing a pass. This map pack shows the entire JMT, but not all the exit points (i.e. if you exit at Onion Valley or Bishop Pass). If you through-hike the trail you only need these maps, but consider taking a look at exit points ahead of time just in case you need to change plans on the trail.

These maps are great for planning. It is also helpful that they’re split into different pages to put into different food/supply drops. The weight isn’t significant but it does help with clutter. The maps themselves are great with lots of detail and pretty accurate. Overall fantastic. Would recommend.

Seems to be ideal, It looks to have all the information I need. I dont actually need it until Aug 2020, but its ideal for planning purposes. The fact US and UK Scale and mapping is different makes no difference at all.I also have a 2013 version of this map set, this newer version is much better.

As mentioned by another reviewer, if you're from the UK and used to Ordnance Survey maps, you may be disappointed by this map set.Paper quality: I calculated 78 gsm (approx). This is 13% less than standard home print media in the UK (90 gsm), but feels much lighter in the hand. They feel like they will get torn easily. It would be a big improvement to double the paper weight and print double-sided.Detail/appearance: Good, but not great. Despite the comments of another reviewer, this map set does now include a key/legend on the cover sheet. Readability is generally good, however some useful details - such as resupply points and water warnings - are missing.Usability: You'll need to buy a transparent map holder. Loose sheets and underweight paper make this map set basically useless if there is even the slightest chance of wind or rain.

Maps are printed on 17 thin, tear resistant, waterproof, light weight, single sided A4 sheets. Mapping is clear, but at 1" to the mile & 80' contour interval they are not as detailed as we are used to in the UK. Bear box locations are marked on maps.By all accounts they are the best/most practical for hiking the JMT - I'm sure they'll do the job.