Reddit reviews Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer
We found 8 Reddit comments about Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Includes back roads, elevation contours, recreational areas, etc.Paperback for easy carry and storageEasy to use and read
This is a great guide for CO.
https://www.amazon.com/Colorado-Gazetteer-DeLorme-Mapping-Company/dp/0899332889
The best way I've found to discover good National Forest areas is with a Delorme Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer
Even with all the great resources online it's easy to page through the maps and look for the "dark green areas" which are National Forest.
I believe REI still sells the Atlas as well.
OK, so the next step are the state-by-state books. That's kind of expensive and for a coast-to-coast tour, you'd probably need to carry a dozen to show all the detail you want. https://www.amazon.com/Colorado-Gazetteer-DeLorme-Mapping-Company/dp/0899332889
Other than getting out there (I learned firsthand that FS-601 is gawd awful this past summer on a camping trip to the Flattops -- had to turn tail at a creek crossing/mud pit), I study maps quite a bit. Pick a cool place you'd like to visit, and plan your route, rather than outsourcing your brain to Google :)
And buy a good road atlas! I recommend the DeLorme one.
This shall be your bible, then
Every jeep trail, creek, stream, puddle, abandoned mine, ghost town, campground, lake, street, highway and boulevard in the state, with topography. Purchase it immediately.
Glad to help. I also use the DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer to get even more detail on rivers and small county roads that don't always show up on larger maps. It has helped me out when getting lost and I have no cell/gps service. If you have these two books, you're pretty much set for Colorado.
Best Option
Second Best Option
I used the second one for a long time. I've gone through probably 5-6 of those. Picked up the first one a few years ago and I like it much better.
They're also wireless and don't need batteries.
I grew up in Colorado. The single biggest things I have seen people who move here struggle with are the altitude and sudden weather changes. Altitude sickness is covered in most basic first aid guides; water is key. Both CU and CSU have some online guides. Also, I have seen some cloud identification pamphlets that are useful.
I own this Gazetteer, and have used it a ton. Hope this helps and welcome to Colorado!