New Moab maps sturdy, concise

National Geographic has produced many excellent world, regional and area maps over the years. Recently it has entered the trails illustrated map market too, and its latest products are two outdoor recreation maps of the Moab area.

Separated into a north and south version, the maps sell for $9.95 each and are printed on tear-resistant, waterproof paper.

National Geographic boasts that together these maps provide the most accurate and comprehensive account of the Moab region. We're talking paved roads, backcountry paths, rivers, bike trails and hiking trails.

The maps are in color and have shaded areas to better illustrate elevation. Global Positioning System coordinates are another feature.

OK, how do these new maps compare to some of my past Moab maps — Utah Travel Council maps, BLM maps and U.S. Forest Service maps of the same area?

First (and foremost) the new maps are going to hold up a lot better than their predecessors. The better paper also means they will last a lot longer.

One side of the map offers a wide overview of the area and the second side shows some close-ups of key areas. The maps aren't cluttered like some, with too many symbols, either.

There's just something about National Geographic maps being more concise than others. (National Geographic employs 60 full-time cartographers and they produce about 100 page maps a year and four map supplements.)

Take Arches National Park, for example. The map in the "Moab North" section gives the best ever overview I've even seen of the park. In one quick look, you can be oriented. Now there's not enough trail detail of Arches to actually hike with this map, but coupled with an Arches National Park guide, you would have a great composite view.

This isn't to say that National Geographic maps are perfect. Like all maps, it seems some overlays of supplementary material get in the way, and I'm forever wanting to look underneath them and see what I can't see.

Also, while I'm a fan of the desert territory of Moab, I am also attracted to its mountains — the LaSals — and yet these National Geographic maps cut off and do not include much of these nearly 13,000-foot mountains.

The maps will have to go on my next Moab trip to really see how well they do, but I have spotted a couple of features in Arches National Park that I may have overlooked in the past. I also identified a few new arches to look for someday in the area of the Potash road (U-279), besides Corona Arch.

The new maps are supposed to be available at some outdoor retailers and hopefully they will have a sample one up on a wall or make some available for inspection before purchase.

The maps can be ordered online at: www.nationalgeographic.com/maps or by calling 1-800-962-1643.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com