How-To

How to Read a USGS Topo Map

by Kate Dougherty December 19, 2015

written by Kate Dougherty

Classic 7.5 minute USGS topographic map for Manitou Springs, Colorado, 1961. Credit: U.S. Geological Survey.

We recently covered the basics of topographic maps, including how to read contour lines, and how to use the maps to plan your next outing. In this post, we’ll go into more detail about U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topo maps.

How to read a USGS Topo

The USGS has been the definitive source for U.S. topo maps since the 1880s. Often referred to as quadrangle maps, or quads, the most commonly used USGS topo maps have a scale of 1:24,000 and cover 7.5 minutes of longitude by 7.5 minutes of latitude. In apps and on the Internet, the quads get scanned into digital files and seamed together into one continuous quilt, making them potentially less crisp and clear than modern topo maps based on OpenStreetMap (OSM).

The USGS prints wider index contour lines for easy visibility, and typically measures maps in feet. Contour intervals vary by map, depending on the area’s relief. In some cases, mountainous regions may have an interval of 50 feet, while other maps covering relatively flat areas might measure intervals every 100 feet instead. On paper maps, you’ll always find the contour interval printed at the bottom. You can display USGS topos in Gaia on iOS and Android.

Check out the guide to USGS topographic map symbols for more information about identifying map features of this source.

Selected USGS topographic map symbols. Credit: U.S. Geological Survey.

USTopo

Established in 2009, the USGS calls USTopos their next-generation version of USGS topo maps, and the maps use seamless digital data, while adhering to the quad format. USTopos show contours, roads, built areas, water, mountains, and labeled trails.

Since the USGS does not field-verify the newer, digital topos, they often show fewer trails, remote roads, campgrounds, survey markers, and boundaries than legacy USGS topos. USGS revises these maps every three years to include additional data as they collect and vectorize it.

The National Map

On the Web, you can locate and download many types of maps and satellite images through The National Map, including individual topos. Apps like Gaia GPS also tap into The National Map service to provide a seamless view of the newest USTopos in the palm of your hand.

Learn how to display The USGS National Map in Gaia on iOS and Android.

Forest Service Topo Maps

USFS topo maps (FSTopos) use the same format as the USGS – 1:24,000-scale, 7.5-minute topographic map series, but with enhancements and regular revisions contributed by USFS field staff that emphasize forest-related information. For example, while USGS topos outline national forests in pink, FSTopos color their complete footprints in a light grayish-pink to make them stand out. These topos direct our attention to trails, roads, and water features by toning down wooded areas and contours.

Excellent trail coverage and prominently marked Forest Service road numbers (helpful for navigating backcountry areas) make these maps extremely valuable for outdoor recreation. While revisions as recent as 2015 make the FSTopo more up-to-date than the USGS equivalents, this source only covers quadrangles containing national forests or grasslands.

Manitou Springs, Colorado FSTopo map. Credit: U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Forest Service.

Now that You Know How to Read U.S. Government Topo Maps

You may also want to read about OpenStreetMap-based topo maps, and experiment with all of these sources in Gaia GPS as you organize your next trek. Follow the iOS and Android links throughout this post to learn how to use them in the app.

If you have any questions about using topo sources in Gaia, please email us at support@gaiagps.com.

December 19, 2015

Gaia GPS How-To

How to Read OpenStreetMap Based Topo Maps

by Kate Dougherty December 19, 2015

written by Kate Dougherty

While we’ve covered how to read a topo map and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps in particular, OpenStreetMap-based topos are increasingly popular resources that merit their own post. In this post you will learn how to read OpenStreetMap-based topo map.

The OpenStreetMap (OSM) project leverages the knowledge of millions of people around the globe to crowdsource detailed world maps. As community involvement increases, OSM grows in detail and continues to improve—learn how you can help update OSM data in our recent blog post. Since OSM data is free to use, many apps and websites use it create custom maps for specific audiences.

OSM-based maps have higher resolutions than traditional USGS topos. They often provide more details than newer USGS topos, including additional feature types like cycle paths, bridleways, cable cars and chair lifts, brownfields, and better trail coverage to boot. Note that while USGS typically labels elevations on the 1:24,000 scale maps in feet, OSM-based maps label in meters.

OpenCycleMap

OpenCycleMap, one example of an OSM-based topo map service, emphasizes existing and proposed bike trails, bike lanes, and other amenities for cyclists. While it adds contours and hill shading to the standard OSM map, OpenCycleMap still generally offers less detail about the terrain, such as land cover types.

OpenCycleMap adopts elements of the OSM style, like purple/blue dashed lines for cycling paths and pink dashed lines for footpaths, though they appear more prominent than in OSM, “bolded” even. Non-cycling features have a lighter appearance, with footpaths left unlabeled.

This map source shows national and regional cycling routes, local cycling networks, and footpaths. It also displays bicycle shops, bike parking locations, restrooms, bars, pubs, and cafés near cycling routes.

OpenCycleMap display for the Manitou Springs, Colorado area. Credit: ThunderForest and OpenStreetMap contributors.

OpenCycleMap pulls the latest data from OSM every couple of days. A variety of apps and websites pull OpenCycleMap data, including Gaia GPS. Learn more about OpenCycleMap symbols through the key.

OpenLandscapeMap

OpenLandscapeMap by ThunderForest, another OSM-based service also found in Gaia GPS, focuses on terrain. Like OpenCycleMap, OpenLandscapeMap tones down non-naturally occurring features like roads, which all appear as light purple. Some other differences include:

less differentiation for trails
increased detail for land cover types ( like scrub, grassland, and farmland
darker and more prominently displayed water features
more labeled natural features like springs and geysers

OpenLandscapeMap also marks mountain peaks with a triangle, and labels their names and elevations, unlike the less specific USGS topos.

OpenHikingMap

OpenHikingMap styles OSM data to create a map geared toward hikers. We wrote about OpenHikingMap when it was first released in 2013. This map labels trail names and peak elevations. It also shows protected areas, restrooms, parking lots, and several different land cover surfaces.

Now that You Know How to Read an OpenStreetMap-Based Topo Map

You may want to try these sources out in Gaia GPS as you brainstorm your next foray into the great outdoors. Follow the iOS and Android links throughout this post to find out how to use them in the app.

If you have any questions about using topos in Gaia, just email us at support@gaiagps.com.

December 19, 2015

Android Gaia GPS How-To

Gifting Gaia GPS

by Aileen December 18, 2015

written by Aileen

Give the gift of Gaia GPS, and share your love for the outdoors with family and friends. Click the link below to give a Gaia GPS Membership, Premium Membership, or a 5 year membership.

https://www.gaiagps.com/user/gift/

Gaia GPS Membership includes access to more than 57 unique map sources along with unlimited offline map downloads for navigating without cell phone service.

Premium Memberships include all of the Member benefits plus map source stacking capabilities and access to an additional 250 premium map sources and overlays.

Countless different types of adventurers use Gaia GPS—from hikers, hunters, trail runners, cyclists, skiers, kayakers/rafters, horseback riders and off-roaders, to pilots, firefighters, SAR technicians and other emergency responders, too.

If you know anyone that does anything outside, and you think they might benefit from incredibly detailed offline maps, track recording, geotagged photos and more, click here and send them a Gaia GPS membership today.

December 18, 2015

Gaia GPS How-To

How to Read a Topo Map

by Kate Dougherty November 16, 2015

written by Kate Dougherty

Topo maps use concentric “contour lines” to show elevation changes, and help people navigate mountains and wilderness areas. The denser the contour lines appear, the steeper the terrain. Topographic maps also tend to show a wealth of natural information, like markings for trails, springs, forests, and swamps, though they tend to include roads as well.

In this post, you’ll learn how to read a topo map, as well as how to use topos to plan outdoor adventures. We touch on a variety of topo maps, including United States Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and OpenStreetMap (OSM) topos.

Comparing Topo Maps

Overview	Features	Coverage & Units
USGS Topos (Classic) The industry standard for topographic information. Possibly still the best topo for hiking.	Built areas and man-made features Land cover types Water Labeled trails Natural landmarks MayContours are toned down compared to newer USTopos, making other features easier to see.	Feet* Covers the US
USGS Topos (USTopo) “Born digital,” next-generation USGS topo maps published since 2009. Based on seamless digital data, but presented in a familiar quad format. These often have fewer features and less detail than legacy USGS topos. Revised every 3 years.	Contours Built areas Roads Water Labeled trails Mountains Can be missing trails, remote roads, campgrounds, survey markers, and boundaries.	Feet* Covers the US
FSTopo USFS-based topos with forest-related enhancements. Often more detailed and up-to-date than USGS topos. Only available for quads containing National Forests or Grasslands.	National Forests and Grasslands Forest Service roads Water Natural landmarks Labeled trails and trailheads	Feet* Covers US National Forests
The National Map MayService provides a seamless view of USTopos for use in apps and on the Web.	Contours Roads Built areas Water Mountains Labeled trails May be missing trails, remote roads, campgrounds, survey markers, and boundaries.	Feet* Covers the US
OpenLandscapeMap MayStyles OSM data to accentuate natural features. Good for rural and backcountry areas.	Contours Rivers, creeks, and streams Springs and geysers Mountain peaks Unlabeled trails	Meters Global
OpenCycleMap Styles OSM data to enhance cycling features.	Cycling routes Cycle paths and bike lanes Bike shops Unlabeled foot paths Restrooms Cafes and restaurants	Meters Global
OpenHikingMap Styled OSM map for hikers.	Labeled foot trails Protected areas Land cover types Peak elevations Restrooms and parking lots	Meters Global
Gaia Vector Topo Worldwide topo map based on OSM data, styled like USGS topo maps.	Roads Rivers Runways Islands and islets Military areas Natural features like plateaus, peaks, and volcanoes Amenities like toilets, viewpoints, water fountains, and picnic areas	Feet Global

*Meters in Puerto Rico

What are Topo Maps Used For?

Topo maps provide a bird’s-eye view of a particular area and help you orient yourself in the landscape based on local landmarks. An essential tool for backpacking, hikers use topos to avoid very steep ascents, figure out how to split up multi-day hikes, and determine the right amount of supplies. Topos can also indicate the need to ford a stream, as well as warn you away from dangerous areas like mines, depressions, bogs, and submerged rocks in lakes and streams.

More than just a tool for recreation, topo maps serve conservationists, firefighters, and other professionals who either study the environment or work outdoors. Architects and planners also use them to assess potential build sites.

How to Read Elevation Contour Lines

Contour lines indicate changes in elevation—they act as a 2D tool for visualizing landscapes in 3D. Contour lines show the shape of the terrain, including its hills, slopes, and depressions, by connecting points of equal elevation. If you follow a line, you’ll stay at the same elevation. When you cross a line, elevation either goes up or down.

Think of contour lines as imaginary horizontal planes sliced through the terrain surface. It may be helpful to visualize them as stacked “layers” of the landscape, similar to a layer cake. Lots of contour lines clumped together mean a lot of elevation change, or a steep slope. A large mountain appears as a dense group of lines with a small circle in the center that represents the peak—just picture looking down at a wedding cake from above. Areas with few contours appear relatively flat—more like a 2-tier birthday cake.

Cartographers often use brown hues for contour lines, and they label every fourth or fifth line with the elevation it represents to serve as an “index contour.” They often style index contours thicker or bolder, to make them easier to see. The non-index contour lines give more detail about the landscape, but lack labels usually.

The contour interval, or amount of elevation change between each line, varies from map to map. To figure out the interval, look at the labels for two consecutive index lines and subtract the lower number from the higher number. If the map labels every 5th line, divide by five. For index lines occurring every 4th line, divide the difference of the two numbers by 4.

In addition to contour lines, some modern topos like OpenCycleMap add hill shading, which makes it easier to visualize the terrain in 3D.

Features on Topo Maps

Best known for emphasizing naturally occurring features such as mountains, streams, springs, and land covers, topographic maps also show administrative boundaries, roads, churches, cemeteries, rail lines, and campgrounds.

Topos utilize colors, patterns, and symbols to indicate different features. USGS maps, for example, use light green for parks, light blue for water, brown for contour lines, bright red for major highways, and dashed black or gray lines to represent trails. Typically these features have labels of the same color.

To learn more, check out our post about USGS and other U.S. government topos.

Classic 7.5 minute USGS topographic map for Manitou Springs, Colorado, 1961. Credit: U.S. Geological Survey.

OpenStreetMap-Based Topos

OpenStreetMap (OSM) crowdsources detailed maps of the world. Many apps and websites stylize OSM-based data to accentuate specific features specialized for a particular audience.

Drawn in a modern style, OSM-based maps offer a higher resolution that increases zoom potential. OSM-based sources often have more details and more feature types than newer USGS topos, such as improved trail coverage. Note that while USGS typically labels elevations on the 1:24,000 scale maps in feet, OSM-based maps are labeled in meters.

To learn more, read our post on OpenStreetMap-based Topo Maps.

Gaia Vector Topo

Gaia GPS develops a worldwide topo vector source based on OSM, styled like the USGS topos. Unlike other tiles-based sources, vector maps get styled and drawn directly to the device. Because the map gets rendered locally, it appears crisper when zooming, and provides better text readability—the smaller download size doesn’t hurt, either.

Now that You Know How to Read a Topo Map

We encourage you experiment with all of these sources in Gaia GPS as you plan your next adventure. Follow the iOS and Android links throughout this email to view our Knowledge Base articles about adding these map sources in the app.

If you have any questions about using topos in Gaia, just email us at support@gaiagps.com.

November 16, 2015

Gaia GPS How-To

How to Take Amazing Nature Pics with Your iPhone

by Ruthie Irvin October 29, 2015

written by Ruthie Irvin

Horizon shots best captured in panoramic view

We all do it—whip out a phone or tablet at the top of a mountain so we can look back later and remember our hike. On social media, cousin Bob always posts incredible nature pics taken with his iPhone, and we wonder how he does it. Here are a few tricks for taking more engaging, lively pictures with your device:

Observe your surroundings. Instead of photographing the obvious suspects, like the picturesque view from a mountain top, really take some time to look around. Get close to the ground and look for bugs, frogs, leaves or anything interesting you find, then practice taking pictures of your subject.

Try a variety of angles. You take pictures standing up straight, typically, but what does the photo look like when you squat, lay on a rock, or climb a boulder and look down?

Unique angles applied in the forest

Adjust settings on your phone. Browse your camera settings and take note of the different options. The iPhone 6 Plus includes Burst Mode and Panorama. Try snapping pics around your house or yard, so you’ll know how to use it on your next hike. To frame your shots, turn on Grid Mode and play around on your phone until you’re a self-taught expert.

Utilize the focus function. The tap-to-focus feature makes it easy to select a subject. Other camera apps have autofocus, but allow you to switch the object selected. Focus often makes the difference between a decent and awesome picture.

Practice. Try an exploratory photo session near the trail. Sit on a rock and stare into the wilderness for a while. Pick your subject and experiment with the different angles and camera settings—some in landscape mode and some in portrait mode. Most importantly—don’t get discouraged by less-than-perfect shots, just celebrate the mesmerizing ones. Need some inspiration? Check out the nature pics on the Gaia GPS Instagram.

You can take pictures right inside Gaia GPS without leaving the app, both on iOS and on Android, with a limited number of settings. Add photos taken elsewhere to your tracks or waypoints on gaiagps.com, or inside the app on iOS .

Tap-to-focus used to capture the intricate branches of this tree

P.S. Don’t let nature pics distract too much from your surroundings—prioritize your safety over your art.

October 29, 2015

Gaia GPS How-To

Free Data Sync in Gaia GPS

by Staff Reports July 20, 2015

written by Staff Reports

About half of the people who use Gaia GPS enable the free data sync in the app. We used to call this service “GaiaCloud,” but now we just say the app lets you “sync with gaiagps.com.” This blog post will tell you why and how to sync.

You should sync, because syncing lets you:

Automatically back up your data
Use your data on multiple devices, and on gaiagps.com
Publish and share your trips
Archive data to save space

Automatically Back Up Your Data

When you get a new device, upgrade, (or drop your phone in a river), it’s great to know you can simply log in to Gaia GPS on your new phone, and sync back all of your data.

And when we say backup, we mean it. Your data exists on your devices, in our live database, and in up-to-the-minute snapshots that we archive. Our backups work, and we’ve had events where our servers go nuts, but we don’t suffer data loss of any kind.

After using the sync option, you can view your data on the web

Sync your Data on Multiple Devices

Many people use a combination of iPhones, iPads, Androids, and gaiagps.com. Syncing data makes sharing data between devices simple and pleasant, and it’s really great to be able to plan trips on a big screen (iPad or computer), and then just take the phone or small tablet on the trip.

Plot a route on your tablet and sync to your mobile device

Publish and share your trips

When you publish a track, others will be able to view your track page and download the GPX file or choose to add it to their online tracks. You can also share your tracks with friends on Facebook and Twitter.

You can do this one track at a time, or even auto-publish all of your tracks as you create them. Tracks you share get a nice webpage with pictures, stats, graphs, comments, and more.

View the tracks you sync on the web and share them with friends

Archive Data to Save Space

Some power users find they have too many maps and and too much data to keep it all on device conveniently.

But when you sync, you can keep a digital copy of all of your tracks, waypoints and maps online, and sync them to your device only when you need them.

If you delete any data from your device, it will automatically archive online, instead of deleting. You can manually toggle the archive settings for each track from your online account. Deleting data from gaiagps.com will also permanently delete it across all devices.

Archive data online so that it does not sync back to your device

Free to Use

You can create your account from the iOS or Android app, or on gaiagps.com. This is totally free, and separate from GaiaPro, a service that gives additional features and maps for the app and website.

At no cost, you can sync and back up all the data you use in Gaia GPS – trips, routes, imports, photos, maps, waypoints, and even your map source list. You can also use a bunch of great features on gaiagps.com, with or without the app, including the new Trail Finder.

If you don’t use the service, we’re curious why. Send us a note at support@gaiagps.com

July 20, 2015

Gaia GPS How-To

Use Gaia GPS in Airplane Mode in iOS 8.3+

by Dave Rullo June 29, 2015

written by Dave Rullo

In the latest versions of iOS (8.3+), Apple will now allow GPS to function in Airplane Mode. This means you can save battery life in Gaia GPS, by turning on Airplane Mode on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

Note that Gaia GPS also provides an internal “Offline Mode,” which you may prefer. Offline Mode saves less battery, but lets you make phone calls and use the internet outside of Gaia GPS.

Airplane Mode vs. Offline Mode

Airplane Mode turns off all internet functions, phone calls, and texts. Prior to iOS 8.3, Airplane Mode also disabled the GPS in your iPhone/iPad, which crippled most of Gaia GPS. Now, with the latest iOS updates, you can use Airplane Mode, and Gaia GPS will be able to plot you on the map, and record your trip.

Alternatively, if you do prefer to get texts and phone calls, you can use Offline Mode within Gaia GPS. Offline Mode will narrowly prevent Gaia GPS from using the internet, and your device will otherwise function normally.

Both Modes extend battery life, stop the app from downloading maps and data and allow the use of GPS.

Enabling Airplane Mode

Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen, to open the menu to enable Airplane Mode.

You can also toggle Airplane Mode in the main Settings app.

June 29, 2015

Gaia GPS How-To New Features

GaiaGPS.com Delete Sync

by Ruthie Irvin November 3, 2014

written by Ruthie Irvin

There was an issue with the website causing the deletion of data to not sync back to devices, but we are happy to report that it has been resolved.

Now, if you delete individual waypoints, tracks, routes, or maps, or if you mass-select and delete your data, it will no longer appear on your device once synced.

You can also toggle your data not to sync to your device rather than deleting it completely.

Check out our Knowledge Base article about using GaiaGPS.com to learn how to delete and toggle not to sync from your browser.

November 3, 2014

How-To

How to Plan a Backpacking Trip

by Staff Reports May 15, 2014

written by Staff Reports

I think the first step to planning a trip is figuring out what trail to use, then download a data file for that trail, then do the rest. Using a data file, it becomes really easy to plan a trip.

Overall, my method is:

Find a Trail (and Download the Trail Data)
Plan the Drive and Parking
Print and Download Maps
Share Info with Companions
Check the Weather Forecast
Determine Gear to Bring and Any Permits

1) Find a Trail (and Download the Trail Data)

If You Know Nothing

If you just want a nearby trail of a certain length or difficulty, then I suggest starting with the map on cloud.gaiagps.com/map, look at stuff within a 2-hour drive, and find one or more parks or trails you want to explore.

The Gaia map links to both trails mapped by Gaia users, and also links to other great trail websites that include data files and information. If you are going some place dangerous or unknown, it’s critical that you read many accounts and get a sense for the place.

Use Google if You Know Names

If you already have a trail name in mind, one of the best resource to find the information you need is Google search. I find it better to search Google, than to try and muddle through individual trail websites, if I have an exact name in mind.

For example, Google for _Rockbound Pass GPX_

This turns up an EveryTrail page, which has a GPX data file you can download (and import into Gaia GPS for planning and navigation).

The data file is the most important part, but you may also want to read up about the trail and other nearby places. You may wish to Google for the name of the place without attaching “GPX” to learn more information.

If You Only Know the Park Name

If you want to visit some place like Yosemite, but don’t have a trail name in mind, I suggest two main methods.

Map Method – Look at the map on cloud.gaiagps.com/map. You can search for the name of the park, or just pan the map to where you want. From there, you can do a couple of things:

click colored trails to view and download other people’s data
Google search for the names of trails you see on the map, which we don’t have data files for
click POIs to see other websites with data files
change the base map to see maps that may have other trails.

Search Method – Visit cloud.gaiagps.com and search for the name of a park (e.g. Yosemite). Then, you can browse a gallery of trails. If Gaia doesn’t yet have a data file for a certain trail, try everytrail.com or other trail websites.

2) Plan the Drive and Parking

Once you know where you are going, you can plan the drive. Driving and parking ends up being one of the more confounding aspects of backpacking, unless you figuure it out ahead of time.

So, I typically:

print out driving directions
plot the route in Gaia as well
scout parking on the map

What happens is we’ll usually just try and navigate with the standards Maps app on an iPhone or Android. Then, when we lose our internet connections, we fall back to Gaia GPS and maybe the print-out to navigate the last mile.

Gaia won’t give you voice directions, but you can make a route in the app that mirrors the driving directions, and along with Gaia’s offline maps, you can get to your trailhead.

I amazed my friend the other day when we were driving, he lost his internet connection, and I handed him my phone running Gaia GPS, showing the dirt road we were on, and us cruising along.

Print Directions

I like to use Google to generate driving directions. You can usually get Google Maps directions for the name of the Park/Forest, but you may have to inspect the map and make sure the directions take you to a park entrance that is near your trailhead.

Then, I print the direction list, map, and email the link to my friends.

Plot in Gaia

I also then use the Gaia app or website, to plot out the route (or last-mile) of what Google suggests. Then, even if I lose my internet connection, I can still see we are following the route visually in Gaia, based on my route and offline maps. Here’s the route-maker on the website (with GaiaPro), but it also works in the iOS and Android apps without GaiaPro.

Parking

You may be able to identify where to park near the Trailhead, based on inspecting the map or satellite imagery. Otherwise, I suggest you Google the park name, and read the park’s website, which should include parking info. You can also call ahead and ask.

3) Get Maps

Print Back-up Maps

Regardless of whether you bring an iPhone or GPS device, you should also bring a paper map and compass. In case your electronics fail you, you should be prepared to navigate based on the map, compass, and what you can see. For printing:

With a GaiaPro subscription, you can print up USGS topo maps and other sources via cloud.gaiagps.com/map. Print several map sources, which increases your safety by providing multiple sources of reference.

You can typically pick up a map at the park or ranger station itself.

You can order various fold-out and waterproof maps online, at places like Amazon.com

Download Maps

To download maps in Gaia, the data file makes things really easy.

First, import the file into Gaia, which will add tracks/routes to your list. Then, you can simply select “Download Maps for Track” for any of these, and Gaia will download the currently selected map source, along the length of the track.

If you prefer (I often do this), you can instead use the Box tool to download maps. After you import the data file, choose “Show Track on Map” for the Track, and this will center the map where you are going. From there, you can use the Box tool, and download a broad area that includes your trail.

You should also probably download multiple sources for your journey (even though it costs us more money!). I like to download USGS topos, OpenHikingMap, and MapBox satellite (at a minimum) for all my trips. This gives me multiple references for both safety and exploration fun.

4) Share Info with Companions

Once you have imported the data file into Gaia, you are also a click away from sharing the map and track with your companions.

On both the app and website, you can send your friends a link in email that shows the map, any notes you add, and lets them download the data file too, in case they want to use Gaia GPS (or any app really). You can also send a link to your track and photos, after your trip, to share your adventure.

Also, for safety’s sake, every inexperienced backpacker should go with friends. If you break a leg, they can carry you out, or go get help. They can also stop you from making foolish decisions that lead to danger – two heads are better than one.

5) Check the Weather Forecast

I pulled this into it’s own section, because it’s important!

Go to wunderground.com or even download our weather app, and make sure you check the forecast and severe weather alerts, both when you plan the trip, and the day you leave.

If you don’t, you won’t know the proper gear to bring, you might get rained out, or in extreme circumstances, you might be walking into a blizzard or other severe condition.

6) Determine gear to bring and any permits you need

Based on weather and geography, you can then get the things you need together. Ask yourself these questions:

How do I find or bring water?
How much power do I need?
How warm do my clothes need to be?
Do I need boots, or will shoes suffice?
How heavy should my tent be?

The water question is the only important one really – you need to make sure there will be water nearby you can collect and purify, or bring enough water to see you out and back.

The other questions related to weather and gear requirements you should ere in the side of caution, but in general you’ll just end up a little extra cold and wet if you choose wrong, which is half the fun.

Permits

Some places require you to have permits for entry and making a fire. Find the park’s or forest’s website via Google, and look up permit info.

If you backpack a lot in one area, you’ll start to learn general rules like “dogs are never allowed in California state parks.” Or that most wilderness areas require a fire permit, even to have a stove.

You can sometimes print a permit online, or you may need to drive to an office before or at the start of the trip to acquire one.

Conclusion

A true backpacking trip – spending multiple nights out in the woods – can be a very rewarding experience. Take the time to properly prepare and scout the area, and you’ll enjoy it all the more.

In making Gaia GPS, we have tried to simplify the planning and navigation involved in backpacking, and it can seem all too easy to just wander out into the woods. But even in our high-tech world, your best protection against mishaps is proper scouting, friends, and more than one way to navigate.

May 15, 2014

Load More Posts

How-To

How to read a USGS Topo

USTopo

The National Map

Forest Service Topo Maps

Now that You Know How to Read U.S. Government Topo Maps

OpenCycleMap

OpenLandscapeMap

OpenHikingMap

Now that You Know How to Read an OpenStreetMap-Based Topo Map

Comparing Topo Maps

USGS Topos (Classic)

USGS Topos (USTopo)

FSTopo

The National Map

OpenLandscapeMap

OpenCycleMap

OpenHikingMap

Gaia Vector Topo

What are Topo Maps Used For?

How to Read Elevation Contour Lines

Features on Topo Maps

OpenStreetMap-Based Topos

Gaia Vector Topo

Now that You Know How to Read a Topo Map

Automatically Back Up Your Data

Sync your Data on Multiple Devices

Publish and share your trips

Archive Data to Save Space

Free to Use

Airplane Mode vs. Offline Mode

Enabling Airplane Mode

1) Find a Trail (and Download the Trail Data)

If You Know Nothing

Use Google if You Know Names

If You Only Know the Park Name

2) Plan the Drive and Parking

Print Directions

Plot in Gaia

Parking

3) Get Maps

Print Back-up Maps

Download Maps

4) Share Info with Companions

5) Check the Weather Forecast

6) Determine gear to bring and any permits you need

Permits

Conclusion