Originally Posted by
00YZ250
I am the creator of California Trail Map. It is more accurate than any other source available. It doesn't rely on government data or crowd sourcing. I created the majority of the data myself and it's a complete map that reflects all of the regulations that have been implemented.
PDF maps are reliable but they only cover some areas and they don't go into a lot of detail.
Apps like Backcountry Navigator rely on USGS maps that were made between 1945 and 1990. The USGS map hasn't been updated in several decades. The apps are new. The data is old.
Other apps use Open Street Map Topo which relies on crowd sourcing. Any source that relies on random user submissions won't be entirely accurate when it comes to regulations and they aren't complete. They have huge gaps because they aren't the result of a concentrated effort.
California Trail Map currently includes southern California, Death Valley, Tulare county and Clark county Nevada. I'm working my way north. The coverage is extremely thorough so it takes a while to make. It's not just a map of trails. It's a complete map with a background and all points of interest.