max5480

Hi all,
Does anyone know of alternate maps or a way to find the trail without spending $100 on the ACA maps? I realize they created the route and they are a great organization to support, but $100 is a lot of money. Has anyone done it without the maps and just attempted to route find on their own?
Appreciate any advice.

gorshkov

I don't use ACA maps, but it isn't to save money, its because I enjoy the route research and making my own route. I haven't tried to follow the great divide route specifically, but I suspect that I could, based on the thumbnail maps available on the ACA's website. I'd be referring to detailed road atlases for four different states ($20 each), several national forest maps ($10 each), and electronic maps from CalTopo (about $20). Good maps cost money, regardless of where you get them. Sometimes people on crazyguyonabike sell used ACA maps for significantly less than retail, you might check there.

arctos

I rode the GDMBR using the ACA maps. Reliable GPS units and waypoints were not available then. The maps provide more than routing information and are worth the money. Reliable GPS and full waypoints are available now. I would use both maps and GPS if planing the ride now.

iohan.gue

Hey Max, I rode most of it last year with the maps.

This year I am doing it with just a GPS, if you have one you can get the tour divide 2015 route online and use that. Could work on a phone but it would be a big battery drain (you would need a cache battery or something to charge it with dynamo/solar?)

another alternative is getting the step by step directions from ACA (its a text file for those that want to print it and use along with maps). You may be able to get by using that and it's like 10-15$

tailwinds!