At the end of 2020, Caltopo will stop licensing its maps to other apps, like us.
Fortunately, if you are using BackCountry Navigator, either XE or PRO, there are alternatives. This is an article that gives information about alternative map sources you can start using right now.
Maps previously download should still work.
New downloads/previews will be redirected to the new sources where possible. It is best to switch explicitly, though.
In particular, you can use Caltopo to access previously downloaded. However, for new downloads, it is best to switch to USA Topo Maps. USA Topo Maps has a max zoom of 15 compared to 16 for the Caltopo, but it will scale up if you switch to it.
For Slope Shaded Topo Maps that were previously from Caltopo, we have created our own slope shading layer that over. A Caltopo subscription or other subscription will still be required for this.
Map Sources Replacement:
In the following, it is notable that the suggested replacement may not look exactly the same.
Caltopo US 24K Topo Maps, Alaska Topo, Caltopo (unshaded)
Older style topo Maps
Replacement: USA Topo Maps
Doesn’t look exactly the same, but same data and sometimes more accurate.
USFS - Forest Service, Visitor Maps
National Forest areas in US
Replacement: FSTopo
Some visual difference
Caltopo Topo/Aerial Hybrid
Imagery and Topo combined.
Replacement: USATopo/Aerial hybrid - to come
Hybrid: Caltopo with Accuterra Path
Older map overlay
Replacement: Possibly USATopo with Accuterra Paths
Depends on Accuterra Road Map
US Topo Imagery with Markup
More recent markup of imagery with contour lines and other items.
Replacement: National Map Imagery Topo
This is a more efficient single layer. You can find it in PRO under National Maps.
Caltopo with Slope Shading
This is a popular map that is color coded to show the steepness of slopes.
Since this one of the first layers from Caltopo to go away, we have put great effort into creating our own hosted slope layer. It matches the fixed color scheme you see on Caltopo.
Replacement: USATopo with Slope Shading
The slope layer we can develop can be combined with other layers if people are interested.
Note that Accuterra also has a slope map for subscribers.
Western Canada CanMatrix
Canada topo (older) Scanned printed maps.
Replacement: Unknown
There are various Canada map Sources available, most newer than this.
