6 steps to designing hiking maps -- Step 1: Understand my audience
In this case, my audience are folks who:
Like to spend time outside, including occasional easy-access hikes;
Are up for more than a stroll around the neighborhood;
Have only a day at a time to hike (as opposed to a long weekend or week to do a longer backpacking event);
Aren't very familiar with the AT, but want to be.
Based on this, complex topographical maps with lots of layers are (mostly) not what they're looking for (but if they are, I've provided a link to that; see "Step 5" below.) Simple map labeling, iconography, and styling all lead to making the map feel more accessible to lay-hikers who are looking to be day hikers.
