If you think Southern California is all shopping malls, freeways and theme parks ... then why don't you take a hike with us!

Hundred Peaks Section, Sierra Club

The Hundred Peaks Section of the Sierra Club is happy to provide the maps to peaks we climb.   We are first and foremost a hiking club.
WE LOVE TO HIKE. We have hikes for beginners, we have hikes for experienced hikers, and we have hikes for everyone in between. Most people who go on our hikes find them lots of fun and a great opportunity to meet other fellow hikers. Plus we all get the opportunity to explore the beautiful mountain ranges of Southern California.

To find out more about us and see our up-coming hikes please go to  http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps

 

IMPORTANT

This document (Readme.html) assumes you are downloading all the map files in a big glob from the National Geographic Web site. See http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/maps.htm for a link to that site, if you would prefer to download the maps in that manner. If you are instead downloading individual maps, be sure to move them to your c:\topo!\maps directory before proceeding per the instructions below.

 

 

 

WAIVER, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

(Please note:  After you read this WAIVER, you can close this message and find the downloaded individual map files in c:\topo!\maps)

 

 

By downloading and using the maps and depleted routes you, the map user, understand and agree to the following:

  1. All routes depicted in these maps are hiking and mountaineering routes. 
  2. Hiking and mountaineering are inherently dangerous outdoor activities. 
  3. The hiker/mountaineer will be exposed to a variety of hazards and risks, some foreseen and some unforeseen, which are intrinsic to this sport and can not be eliminated. 
  4. These inherent hazards and risks include, but are not limited to serious personal injury, property damage, and death. 
  5. The maps shown are based upon USGS 7.5 maps and they contain errors.  Some, but not all, of the errors are due to changing conditions such as fires, land slides, private property issues, impassable/unsafe roads, etc.
  6. The routes and waypoints depicted on these maps are meant as a general guide only. 
  7. The hiker/climber must be knowledgeable and experienced to choose the best and safest route and to turn back, if conditions so dictate.
  8. The routes shown do not reduce or eliminate any of the inherent risks and hazards of this activity. 
  9. Special training and knowledge are required to hike/climb the routes/mountains shown. 
  10. The hiker/mountaineer must be mentally and physically prepared and carry the necessary food, water, clothing, equipment and the other ten essentials of wilderness travel. 
  11. The hiker/mountaineer needs to know the local weather forecast before attempting to do any of these routes and be prepared for any and all possible weather conditions.  Weather ranging from heat, cold, lightening, rain, snow, etc. has been contributing factors to hiker/climber deaths and other serious injuries on the routes shown.
  12. Finally, it is recommended that individual hikers do not attempt to do any of these routes alone.  There have been deaths of well-qualified hikers/mountaineers attempting to do some of the routes without a knowledgeable climbing partner or group. 

 

Therefore, by downloading and using the maps and depleted routes, you, the map user, agree to the following:

1.    You are responsible for your own safety, actions and decisions in regards to the use of the maps and the depleted routes contained the downloaded files. 

2.    The authors of the depicted routes and maps assume no responsibility or liability for your safety or well-being.

3.    You waive, discharge all claims, release from liability and hold harmless all persons and organizations that developed the software, maps and routes provided. 

4.    You assume all risks associated with these files and the associated maps, routes and waypoints contained therein.

 

This agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law.  If any provision or part of any provision of this agreement is held to be invalid or legally unenforceable for any reason, the remainder of this agreement shall not be affected thereby and shall remain valid and fully enforceable.

 

The routes shown are to peaks on the list of peaks of the Hundred Peaks Section (HPS) of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club.  The peaks are generally all the major peaks in Southern California from Kern County south whose elevations are over 5,000’.   

 

The Hundred Peaks Section of the Sierra Club also has a complete set of written hiking guides to all of its peaks.  The HPS official peak guides can be obtained by visiting the HPS web site at www.angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/.  Please note:  Some of the routes on the maps do not correspond with the routes discussed in the peak guides.  .

 

General instructions:

1)     TOPO has a great user manual which can be found under the menu bar under the heading INFO.  Please read the manual before you get started.

2)     The downloaded maps will only work on a windows based machine.  To use the downloaded files you will need to own and have installed the National Geographic TOPO! California Series CD-ROM software.

3)     A file with all of the HPS maps has been downloaded to your computer which this warning/disclaimer message is apart of.  You will need to know where you downloaded this file. Once you find it on your computer please double click on it.  The individual maps will then be placed in the directory c:\topo!\maps.

4)     If you look at the files in this subdirectory you will notice the following things:

a)     There are two types of files.  One file ends in .tpo and the other ends in .tpg.  The tpo file contains all of the HPS routes while the .tpg file contains the utm waypoints for each of those routes.  That is, for each peak you will find two files, one ending in .tpo and the other .tpg.

b)     All of the files are named using our standard peak naming convention (e.g. 01a Sunday Peak 01-03-2002 where the date is the date the map was last updated.)

5)     Some files contain more than one peak and they are so named
(e.g. 01 CD Split Black 01-02-2002).

6)     To load individual maps into your TOPO software do the following:

a)     Start your TOPO software

b)     Do a file open (.tpo region), navigate to the peak you are interested in and click on it.  Please remember the map files are in the subdirectory named c:\topo!\maps.

c)      To load the utm waypoints so you can later download them to your gps, do file, open (.tpg file), navigate to the peak you are interested in and click on it.

7)     There are book marks for each file to help you quickly see the map and waypoints you just loaded.  To use the bookmarks, find the symbol on the tool bar with a finger and an arrow pointed through it.  Click on this and then click on the bookmark you are interested in.

To print a map do the following:

1.      Because you can print your maps out at different scales, it is suggested that you tell the system to print grid lines using utm coordinates set so that the grid lines are ¼ mile apart.  To do this, click on view in the menu bar, then check utm grids and set the distance to 400 meters (about ¼ mile)

2.      Next click the printer symbol in the menu bar.

3.      Set the magnification to custom and then click the setting to the print the map so it is magnified or reduce to exactly fit on one page

4.      Using the red box, move the red outer lines to enclose the area you want printed.

5.      You can use page setup to print the map either portrait or landscape.  Use the portrait if your map is taller than wider, use landscape if it is wider than taller.

6.      Press print.

 

How to use a gps and your HPS maps:

1)     First, a GPS is just a tool.  To use it properly and safely you first need to know how to navigate, use a compass and route find.  To use a gps without these other skills is dangerous.

2)     Next you need to make sure your maps, gps, and compass all line up and use the same means to located where you are and to take bearings.  Here is what you need to know to set your compass, National Geographic Software and GPS so they all work together. 

a)     Buy a compass where you can set the declination so the compass readings point to true north.  Set your gps so it points to true north.  Maps (TOPO and USGS) already point to true north. 

b)     Next set your gps and TOPO software to use the coordinate system know as UTM.

c)      Finally set both the software and your gps to use the grid system wgs 84 (the default in TOPO software and the current USGS mapping standard).  If you are using paper USGS maps instead of National Geographic Maps you need to see what grid system is being used (either wgs 84 or nad 27) and set your gps and TOPO software accordingly.

3)     Please note: other settings work, but the above is what most people use.  If you want to learn more there are many good books on how to use a gps where the above is explained.

4)     You will need to connect your gps up to your computer.  Most gps manufactures make a serial cable that allows you to do this.

5)     To export the waypoints to your gps do the following:

a)     First make sure you have set the preferences described above properly in both your TOPO software and your gps.

b)     Next plug your gps into your computer.

c)      Finally go to the menu bar that says gps, go to export and follow the instructions on the screen.

 

 

Please hike/climb safely.  Please leave the land in better condition than you found it.  Please help protect it so others in future generations can enjoy it as much as we do.

 

May The Peace Of The Wilderness Be With You Always