Grand Gulch, Cedar Mesa Plateau Map [BLM - Monticello Field Office] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map, 706)

I have quite a few Nat Geo maps and enjoy them. This one not so much. There is a huge lack of information in the area this maps covers. It does mark major sights in the Grand Gulch ( half of the map’s title) but it has nothing on the rest of the Cedar Mesa Plateau (second half of the title and 90% of the map). There are tons of interesting canyons in the area of the map that are not named and trail heads not marked that are in most books on the area. If you are visiting the area it is better than nothing but does not add to the experience or provide new information.

Great Trails Illustrated waterproof map that covers a large area of Cedar Mesa Plateau/Grand Gulch. Adds much information to the east of Grand Gulch from previous Grand Gulch map. Good detailed map to be used in combination with local guidebooks for many available hikes of various lengths. Includes Comb Ridge to the east which is an area I would like to explore. Very useful map with good scale for hikers and access to trailheads. Will go out when I can.

We bought this map for a backpack trip. It turns out the area we needed was in the low resolution section of the map, and did not have the detail needed for the trip. Quad-topos are still the best, but this map gives a great overview of a large area.

This is a typical Nat Geo trail map. Very high quality with very few trails. Be warned if you are going to the area you also really need the map just north of this one too. I found myself off this map more than once. There might have been an area to the east or south I found myself off the map too. Which are very common hiking areas and their are no Nat Geo Topo maps for them.

I rate this device, called a "map," highly. It provided a representation on a flat, durable, folding surface the features of the area roughly defined as the Grand Gulch / Cedar Mesa Plateau in Utah, United States, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to common 21st-Century cartographical conventions. The durability of the "map" is exceptional and its slightly plasticized surface shows a strong likelihood of being resistant to food and beverage insults, although I have not insulted it yet. I will get to that later. The scale, in conjunction with 1:24000 topo "maps", is excellent. CAUTION: Objects shown on the "map" are much smaller than they appear on-site.

waterproof and sturdy..lots of detail. one side has a larger view of the area other side has a blowup of cedar mesa.

If you are backpacking the Grand Gulch, you want to take along a map. And this map is excellent. Clear, well marked and constructed of strong material. It won't rip and tear when you fold it or change its folds to concentrate on what you're interested in. I have mostly day hiked canyons of the Gulch and several times I have run across backpackers who were confused about their location and the distance to their destinations. And they chose not to carry a map. Take a map. And bring along a GPS if you have one.

I truly love Trails Illustrated maps. Except in the desert you really need the quad maps from the USGS. The scale most Trails Illustrated maps are printed at does not provide enough detail to truly find your way around a canyon. Yet they are superb for detailing the roads to the site and getting you to the trail head (marked or unmarked). Yet I do find that the Trails Illustrated maps suffice for the Rocky Mountains. The amount of detail on those maps is enough for this environment. They are often printed at a different scale too.

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