Maps target bird fans, hikers

Two new outdoors maps are now available in Utah. One offers a hiking map for the Salt Lake area Wasatch Mountains, and the second is a bird trails map for southwestern Utah.

Daniel Smith of Sandy has compiled a Wasatch Front hiking-only map, going from Steed Canyon in Farmington on the north to Timpanogos on the south. Eastward, it covers to the edge of Park City.

It contains 1,000 miles of trails and lists many mileages, identifies springs, campgrounds and land ownership. It even has map grids for GPS users. You will find the Great Western, Bonneville Shoreline and historic Pioneer trails on the map.

For example, say you want to hike Mount Olympus, you find the trailhead marked at "Pete's Rock." The switchbacks up the mountain are clearly shown, and "Blister Hill" is even found on the map. Smith's mileage estimate is 3.3 miles to the summit, though, lower than the 4.5 usual guess.

The print on the map is extremely small, that's its weakest point. Also, the hiking trails and paved roads are identified by black lines, and that can be a little confusing.

However, the two-sided map lists trailheads and trails, and important elevations appear to be there. It's simply less cluttered than other outdoor maps, since it is so specialized.

It's printed on extra thick, waterproof and tear-resistant paper and looks to be well worth the $10 cost.

The map is available at REI, the USG bookstore, Kirkhams, Wasatch Touring, the Utah Travel Council and other outlets.

Smith said he began working on the map in the spring of 2002. He has personally hiked many of the trails the map includes.

The Wasatch Audubon Society, in conjunction with sponsors, produced the Southwest Utah Birding Trails Map. It goes from Nephi on the north to Kanab and from Hanksville on the east to the Nevada line on the west. it also contains GPS coordinates.

This full-color creation features almost 50 sites for great birding opportunities. It also has driving directions, types of habitat, the best seasons to visit and which bird species can be seen.

The map sells for $2 from the BLM, Zion Natural History Association, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Dixie National Forest, the Wild Bird Centers in Layton and Salt Lake, and other groups.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com