JWR,
I read the letter from Grant regarding free topographic maps and I have an even easier method [if you don’t need to download data into a GPS receiver.] You can go to the USGS web site and use the GoogleMap API to find the area that you want a map of. Once you find the area, just click the “MARK POINTS” Radio button and click on the map. The marker that shows up will have the option of ordering paper copies of the map for $6 or free download. You can download your standard 7.5 minute topographic map in PDF format and if you also use the free TerraGo Desktop (the USGS site has a link to it) you can use Adobe’s free reader to compute distance, calculate area, find elevation, find lat/long, compute bearings, etc, all for free.
I’ve downloaded numerous maps and they’re all excellent quality. It’s the best source I can find for free maps and it’s courtesy of the US Taxpayers. – LexNaturalis