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Complete National Geographic Pacific Crest Trail Maps Now Available in Gaia GPS

by Julien Friedland November 22, 2019

written by Julien Friedland

Now, you can hike the Pacific Crest Trail with digital maps born of a partnership between National Geographic Maps and Halfmile.

In 2017, National Geographic teamed up with thru-hiker and mapmaker Lon “Halfmile” Cooper to produce maps that included both NatGeo’s meticulous cartography and Halfmile’s firsthand notes and insider information. The result contains careful annotations about trail mileages, official and unofficial campsites, water sources, and other points of interest.

Gaia GPS started converting and uploading those maps this spring, adding first Washington, then Oregon. Now, we’ve reached the finish line with one final push to add the entirety of the trail through California. (National Geographic has also released the PCT California maps in print.)

About the PCT in California

For most thru-hikers, the journey starts in California. North bounders hikers toe the Mexican border, then set off through Campo and into the Laguna Mountains and the stark beauty of the Southern California desert. The following sections of trail contain some of the most iconic landmarks along the entire PCT. Think giant sequoias, the granite monoliths of Yosemite National Park, and 14,491-foot Mount Whitney, the highest point in the Lower 48.

In total, California holds 1,692 miles of the PCT—over half the trail. Whether you’re out to hike the whole thing, hunting for your next big backpacking adventure, or scouting scenic day hikes near Los Angeles or Sacramento, the NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail map layer has everything you need to plan and execute a smooth trip.

How to Use the NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail Map Layer

You can access the NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail map layer—in addition to weather forecasts, wildfire overlays, and other premium maps—with a Gaia GPS Premium Membership.

To access the map layer, follow these steps:

First, download the Gaia GPS app. It’s available on the App Store for iOS devices and on the Google Play Store for Android devices.
Open up the Map Manager. Go to United States > NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail, and tap the green plus-sign to add it to your main map.
Scroll across the main map to find your upcoming section of trail. Then, download maps for offline use.

November 22, 2019

The Only Map You’ll Ever Need to Climb All the Colorado 14ers

by Corey Buhay May 28, 2019

written by Corey Buhay

Summit all 58 Colorado 14ers with just one app and one map. Now, you can get accurate, comprehensive National Geographic route information for all Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks in Gaia GPS. The map includes trail mileages, elevation gain, technical climbing ratings, parking information for both 2WD and 4WD vehicles, points of reference, and detailed route notes.

You can use this map layer to guide you in real time on any peak, even when you’re offline. That’s because the Gaia GPS app uses your phone’s built-in GPS chip to pinpoint your location, no cell service required.

About the Colorado 14ers

Colorado is home to 58 peaks above 14,000 feet in elevation. That includes 14,433-foot Mount Elbert, the second highest summit in the contiguous United States. The routes up these mountains range from non-technical hikes to serious scrambles. The Knife Edge on Capitol Peak and the infamous Keyhole Route on Longs Peak are both good examples of the latter.

For many Colorado locals, as well as avid mountaineers across the U.S., summiting every 14er is a life goal. However, there is some debate about which 14ers should make the “official list.” After all, some peaks are connected by shallow saddles that make it difficult to determine where one summit ends and the other begins.

Currently, many climbers characterize a Colorado 14er as a peak above 14,000 feet with at least 300 feet of topographic prominence. In other words, it has to rise at least 300 feet above surrounding peaks to count. For that reason, you’ll hear many refer to the “53 Colorado 14ers” rather than 58. Just to be safe, the NatGeo Colorado 14ers map includes all 58.

Longs Peak Colorado — 14,259-foot Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

About NatGeo Maps in Gaia GPS About NatGeo Maps in Gaia GPS

Gaia GPS has long partnered with National Geographic to provide users with the expertly designed, high-quality cartography NatGeo is known for. The NatGeo Colorado 14ers layer is the most recent addition to the Gaia GPS map catalog, which already includes NatGeo maps of the John Muir Trail, the Colorado Trail, and dozens of America’s most popular recreation destinations.

How to use the Colorado 14ers map layer

Like all National Geographic maps, the Colorado 14ers layer is available to users with a Premium Membership.

You can access it by opening the United States category of the map manager. Then, tap the plus sign next to the layer to add it to your map screen.

map of longs peak — Routes to the top of Longs Peak, as depicted on the NatGeo Colorado 14ers map.

Tips for Climbing Colorado 14ers

Hiking and climbing at high altitudes can be dangerous, and hikers get lost or seriously injured on Colorado 14ers every year. Here are some tips for packing the right kit, nabbing the summit, and getting home safe.

Build up your experience level. Start with non-technical peaks, and honestly evaluate your expertise and emergency preparedness before embarking on a climb.
Wait for the snow to melt. The safest time to summit a 14,000-foot peak is between mid-July and late September, when the spring snow has melted out and before fall snowstorms begin.
Bring a buddy. A partner can help keep you accountable to your pre-determined turnaround time, help you make risk-management decisions, and seek help if you get sick or injured on the trail.
Download maps before you head out. The sheer elevation of 14ers means most of them have service on the summit. However, the rest of the trail is often without cell reception. Always make sure you have the map you need downloaded in Gaia GPS before you leave, so you can access it no matter where you are.
Start early. Aim to be back below treeline by noon; afternoon lightning storms are common in the Rocky Mountains, and often occur even when the forecast doesn’t call for them. Pulling off a successful summit often means beginning your hike well before dawn, a quintessential part of the experience known as the “alpine start.”
Prepare for unpredictable weather. Temperatures can drop fast in the mountains. Look at a forecast that shows predicted weather at the top of a peak as well as at the base (we recommend mountain-forecast.com). Pack for the lows, not the highs. Always bring more food and water than you think you need, as well as a hat, gloves, a good insulating layer, and a rain shell.
Pack safety equipment. Always bring a headlamp, sun protection, sun glasses, a first aid kit, and any other protection you might need from the elements should something go wrong. It’s smart to bring a satellite communication device, such as a SPOT device, as well.
Beware of summit fever. No peak is worth putting yourself in danger. Turn back immediately if you see rain clouds moving in, or if you begin to experience any signs of acute mountain sickness (AMS).

May 28, 2019

Gaia GPS Hunting New Maps

New! Colorado Fishing and River Maps

by Corey Buhay April 24, 2019

written by Corey Buhay

Whether your ideal afternoon involves casting in riffles or riding rapids, the NatGeo Colorado Fishing & Rivers map layer has everything you need to get out on the water in the state of Colorado.

NatGeo Colorado Fishing & Rivers contains complete coverage of all the wild banks, backcountry access spots, and adjacent lakes and ponds for the Roaring Fork, South Platte, and Blue Rivers. It also covers large sections of the Arkansas, Colorado, and Fryingpan Rivers.

Built with National Geographic’s characteristic attention to detail, accuracy, and smart map design, this layer is a complete picture of not only the river courses themselves, but their banks, recreation areas, access points, and adjacent ponds and lakes. The result is a complete picture of each river ecosystem, and the boating routes within it.

Colorado: A Boater and Angler’s Paradise

In Colorado, Rocky Mountain snowmelt and steep slopes have worked together to forge some of the mightiest rivers in the United States: Seven major rivers, including the Rio Grande, Arkansas and Colorado, all have their headwaters in the Centennial State.

The sheer number and variety of waterways makes Colorado ideal for boaters of all experience levels. Visit river towns like Salida or Buena Vista for a family rafting trip with an experienced guide, or head into Colorado’s deeper canyons and rougher rapids in a kayak or packraft for higher-level adventure.

Colorado’s abundant wilderness areas and protected lands mean all its mighty rivers and fast-flowing mountain streams are not only beautiful to float, but teeming with trout as well. Cast a line, and you’ll find rainbows, browns, brook, cutthroat, and steelhead, as well as kokanee salmon and lake trout.

*Brooke trout coming in for a bite. Photo courtesy of Heath Alseike, via Flickr.*

Map Features for Fishing, Kayaking, Rafting, and Boating Trips

The NatGeo Colorado Fishing & Rivers map includes clearly marked river miles, access points, put-ins, and the names and ratings of rapids, making it easy to locate yourself on the river, share route information, and plan trips. You’ll also find labeled stream gage sites to reference when researching flow rates at potential fishing or boating spots. Land ownership boundaries and recreation sites also make it easy to scout out campsites along the way.

How to Use the NatGeo Colorado Fishing + Rivers Map

The NatGeo Colorado Fishing & Rivers layer is available to web, iOS, and Android users with a Premium Membership. You’ll find the map in the United States category of the map manager. Tap to add it to your Layers menu, and use it as a robust, stand-alone base map for any of the waterways it covers.

Before hitting the water, be sure to review local regulations and guidelines, especially those for decontaminating watercraft. Do your part to protect riparian habitat and help prevent the spread of invasive species in Colorado.

*Rafters navigating the Arkansas River, Colorado. Photo courtesy of Kari, via Flickr.*

Feature photo courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management, via Flickr, of the Arkansas River outside Buena Vista, Colorado

April 24, 2019

Gaia GPS New Maps

Pacific Crest Trail Maps Available in Gaia GPS, Starting with Washington

by Corey Buhay March 26, 2019

written by Corey Buhay

In 2017, renowned thru-hiker and mapmaker Lon Cooper (Halfmile) partnered with National Geographic to craft meticulously accurate maps of the Pacific Crest Trail. We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve joined that historic partnership to bring you those same PCT maps in Gaia GPS.

We’re rolling out the maps one state at a time, starting with Washington. The NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail map layer currently details a 10-mile-wide trail corridor of the PCT as it stretches from the Canadian border to the Columbia River. In it, you’ll find everything from labeled terrain features and amenities, to points of interest, annotated mileages, and hand-curated notes from Halfmile’s original maps.

What is the Pacific Crest Trail?

The PCT traces the spine of the western coastal ranges, carving out a 2,650-mile trail that winds through some of the most storied landscapes of Washington, Oregon, and California. Traditionally, the trail begins at the California/Mexico border and finds its terminus at the Canadian border. In between, it connects desert, volcanic slopes, temperate rainforest, and the rocky alpine crown of the High Sierra.

The PCT was originally conceived of in the 1920s, and has since become the stuff of both American heritage and recent pop culture. Its length and variety makes it ideal for staging day-hikes and section-hikes of any shape and size, in addition to end-to-end hikes. These full-length hikes, called thru-hikes, take most people four to six months to complete. According to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, just 6,636 people have completed the entire trail.

Why National Geographic Maps?

National Geographic consistently sets the standard for quality and accuracy in outdoor recreation mapping. The NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail map is a perfect example. All information is fact-checked and reviewed by long-distance hikers, local land managers, and NatGeo’s own cartographic editing team. The layer also uses a trail-centered map format specially designed for long trails.

This PCT map stands out for its comprehensive campsite coverage. Unlike other maps, this one labels both official and unofficial campsites, and marks over-camped spots. If land managers report that a campsite is heavily impacted by human traffic and no longer recommended for camping, the NatGeo PCT map uses a grayed-out tent icon to indicate discouraged use.

How to Use the NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail Map

The NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail map source is available to any Gaia GPS user with a Premium Membership. To add, simply open the United States category in the map manager. Then tap the plus sign next to the NatGeo PCT map layer. Because NatGeo maps are extremely detailed, we recommend using this one as a primary base map under any of your favorite weather forecasts or feature overlays.

You can find other tips for using Gaia GPS to navigate on thru-hikes and extended backpacking trips here.

More to Come

Keep an eye out for Oregon and California PCT maps, which we plan to add in the coming months. When complete, this will be the second prong of the Triple Crown to be included in the Gaia GPS map catalog. (We added the full NatGeo Appalachian Trail maps in 2018.)

March 26, 2019

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