I feel good maps are crucial to my enjoyment and success in hiking. Although I met a guy yoyoing the PCT a couple years ago who didn’t even carry maps, he just used the PCT Data Book. He looked very happy and fit, so to each their own.
I you like maps, and don’t like carrying excessive weight of water, you might want to check out the free PDF maps at www.sacramentovalleyhiking.org We mapped the water sources in September (driest month) in the last two years of the recent drought.
Michael