The first comprehensive U.S. Forest Service map series of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) has been honored with a 2007 Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CaGIS) “Map Design: Best of Category: Recreation/Travel award.” The new PCT map series, when complete, will include ten maps, five of which are already available.

Each of the new PCT maps features beautiful photographs and is fully functional for trip planning and provides detailed topographic and geographic coordinate information, trail elevation profiles, and safety information. Access roads, trailheads, and feeder trails that lead to the PCT are depicted. Trail trivia enthusiasts will appreciate the interesting write-ups regarding historical as well as ecological features found along the trail and in its environs.

The maps are being created by the Forest Service in cooperation with the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), which has provided research, writing, and review services. Additionally, numerous PCTA members have generously donated photographs and time to benefit the project.

CaGIS has been running its map design competition for 35 years. The competition is open all map-makers in the United States and Canada. Its purpose is to promote interest in map design and to recognize significant design advances in cartography. The competition’s focus is cartographic design and judging is based on criteria such as creativity, text, balance, unity, clarity, use of color, and subject matter. Winners will be displayed at a number of national and international professional functions and will then become part of the permanent collection of the U.S. Library of Congress. Scans of winning entries will also be provided (with permission) to educators and teachers as examples of excellent map design for their students.

To learn more about the CaGIS awards click here.

To purchase the new maps visit the “PCT Guide & Planning Books” section of the PCTA store.