Green Trails Maps Get an Ultralight, Waterproof Refresh

When you're browsing WTA's Hiking Guide for information on hikes, you'll often see Green Trails maps referenced as a good resource for hikers who need to round out the 10 Essentials for their next hike. As the first maker of quality, accurate topographical trail maps in Washington, Green Trails has been showing hikers the way for more than 40 years.

Since their beginning in 1973, they have issued several versions of their maps: from the original 18x24 inch paper ones, to more utilitarian water-proof and tear-resistant versions. Now they've issued Gold Standard Editions; part of a 2014 refresh of the company's branding, which includes a new website and logo.

Listening to what hikers want: durable, waterproof and ultra-light

The Gold Standard Editions ($14 each) are ultralight, printed on a tear-resistant and waterproof medium known as Polyart, and cover more area based on regions of hiker interest. They are also printed in full color on both sides.

“Users tell us the color pops better and the information is very clear,” says Green Trails president Alan Coburn about the new design.

The new maps weigh in at less than 1.5 ounces—40 percent less than their predecessors. Popular areas such as Mount Rainier (map number 269S) and Mount Baker (map number 13S) join 18 other Green Trails maps in the Epic Map series ultralight line, launched July 1.

At 18x24 and 22.5x30 inches, the maps provide great detail of an area, but still fold neatly into a compact package.

“We like to remind customers that all the maps are "green": unbreakable, solar-powered—no batteries required,” says Coburn. You won't lose power, run low on batteries, or lose a signal with a hard copy map.

If trail tech is your thing, the company offers map apps on iTunes, which is great for providing access to trip planning.

The new Green Trails can take a swim in a river and come out looking fine. Photo by Alan Coburn.

Refreshing their look

With its 41st anniversary, Coburn says the time was right to officially launch the new ultralight line and freshen its look and image. Part of this push includes the company’s continuing commitment to provide the most current road and trail information so hikers can plan, enjoy and remember the priceless natural heritage of the West’s spectacular mountains, rivers and oceans.

Like WTA, Green Trails' message promotes getting outside and enjoying the many recreational opportunities in our national forests, national parks and ocean beaches.

"We want these great resources to be valued, respected and used," he says.

Maintaining a legacy of reliability and love for Washington's wild places

Along with the launch of the new series, the company remains committed to the '15 Minute Series', their classic maps based on the United States Geological Survey’s original 15 minute quadrangles.

“There is a substantial and growing segment of the community that loves the classic USGS style updated with the latest trail and road information based on Green Trails’ diligent mapping crew’s work.”

To keep this information up-to-date, Green Trails works with well-known local hikers and guidebook authors Craig Romano, Michael Fagin, Alan Bauer and Tami Asars to produce well researched maps, and in 2014, six Green Trails crews mapped more than 1,000 miles of trails for 25 revised editions and three new maps.

“We are trying to do our best to make sure there is access to wild areas now and in the future,” says Coburn. “Our duty is to do our best to maintain that inheritance and to expand it at every opportunity. I like to believe our 40-plus years of continuous growth and more than 4 million maps in use by an estimated 100,000-plus hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers and backcountry horse-riders is testament to the value of our efforts in support of this commitment. As our new tag line says, ‘We love these places!’ Remembering love is a verb, we want the public to enjoy and love these places too.”

Thanks the new maps, hikers can look forward to years of more reliable information from Green Trails. Photo by Christine Foro.