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Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

I've been playing with BaseCamp, switching back and forth between the topo map (with no trails) and the trail map (with trails, but no context).  Unfortunately, I find it to be too cumbersome to really be useable this way.  Without seeing both simultaneously, it's almost impossible to identify which trail is which.

I've also made a couple of custom maps, just using my local area and following Garmin's tutorial.  This works OK, but I really don't think it's practical for most hikes in State Parks and such, since I don't have a good trail map to start with – which is part of what I was hoping to overcome by buying the topo maps in the first place.

So I'm left thinking that it's simply infeasible to plan out routes in advance on the computer, then transfer the data to the Oregon for the actual hike.  That's really too bad, because it cripples the GPS for about half of what I wanted it for.  I can still use it to record our track while hiking, etc, but I'm not sure that's enough functionality for me to keep it.  I may just return it and wait a couple more years for the software to catch up. 

Again, thanks for the information. 

Thanks very much for your replies.  The difficulty I am having is in using the computer to create waypoints, routes, etc for later use on the Oregon.  I've attached two screenshots to illustrate the point.  The first is a section from Garmin's 24k map, in an area where there are several trails.  I'd like to select one of them based on what I see in the topography on the map.  Unfortunately, the trails themselves are listed on another map (mytrails), which I downloaded from this site.  That's the second screenshot, showing the same area.  If I switch to that map on the computer, then I can see the trails, but only against the plain white background.  It's very difficult to even identify which trail each red line represents without also seeing the topo data on the screen simultaneously.  It's impossible to see which trails go near rivers, which near peaks, and which near valleys ... much less choose significant waypoints, etc. 

If I use MapInstall to install this section of both maps to the Oregon, I can see it all overlaid just fine.  But that's a really small screen for planning out hikes in advance, and I'm hoping that I'm simply missing some important step here ...

Again, thanks for suggestions!

First, thanks to everyone for all the great information on this website.  Without it, I'd really be nowhere.  I recently purchased an Oregon 450, Garmin's Topo 24K maps for my region (Minnesota), and I've downloaded a few other maps from this site.  I've been reading the tutorials, searching the forums, and reading the Oregon Wiki.  I've been playing with BaseCamp, and I've been walking around my neighborhood getting a feel for the Oregon.  I'm starting to get an understanding for what I can and can't do, which is quite a bit different than my preconceived notions. 

What I'd like help with now is "best practices".  I bought the Oregon exclusively for use with dayhiking.  What I'd like to understand is how other hikers plan their trips in advance, and prepare their GPS with intended routes or waypoints or tracks. 

Before I made my purchases, my goal was to be able to view an entire trail on the computer, in advance, to help select which trail to take.  I have loads of hiking books for the state, but the maps in them are marginal.  When I read about one I want to try, I figured I could somehow use BaseCamp to mark the trailhead and other significant points (e.g. a good place to rest), then load all of that information onto the Oregon for use during the actual hike, to help keep me on course.  I'm less interested in using the Oregon to track where I've been, and more interested in using it to guide me as I'm going along the trail.   

I now understand that BaseCamp can't display multiple maps simultaneously.  This presents a real problem, as most trails aren't in Garmin's map.  I naively assumed that Garmin's map would include the major trails in my state (like those in State parks, for example).  I did find some trails in overlay maps on this website, which is fine during the hike using the Oregon, but doesn't really help much while planning in advance on the computer (since only one map can be shown at once).

So how do others do it?  I suspect I'm missing some key understanding.  I'd like to hear from other hikers about the process they use to plan ahead, how they use software to plan hikes, and how they get their get their intended routes into the Oregon.   Thanks in advance for the advice and guidance.