Collected Info About GPS on the Trail

Most of this information comes from Colorado Trail Hikers, Thru-Hikers and Trail Angel

FarOut Advice (from Rolf Asphaug's post(s) on Facebook 2024-06-28)

"Important FarOut advice: I’ve (Rolf) already shuttled several hikers to the trail start at Waterton Canyon, and I now routinely ask FarOut app users whether they’ve downloaded the offline maps before starting. Some people THINK they have because FarOut doesn’t clearly indicate when it’s using online versus offline data. If you don’t have the offline maps downloaded FarOut will show only a rudimentary, pretty useless map when you’re offline. The solution (follow captions in images for more info): While you have WiFi service (cellular may be too slow) go to File Manager and make sure you’ve downloaded all the info you want - especially the OpenTopo map and all the updated trail comments. The waypoint images can be useful, too. Now when you’re in airplane mode you’ll have a great, highly detailed topo map and all the latest info about water sources. Be sure to update the comments whenever you have service so you can get the latest info on things like water sources and detours. "

Hiking/Trail Apps, GPS, Guides, and Online Resources

The choice of apps changes often - so take this with a grain of salt

• Online Posts QandA

  • https://sites.google.com/view/hikerinfo/online-posts

  • FarOut "Before You Go" Checklist: https://faroutguides.com/farouts-before-you-go-checklist 

• GPS/GPX Apps: 

  • FarOut (app) If you don't already know this, the "Guthook" app is now named "FarOut"

    • https://thetrek.co/guthook-guides-popular-thru-hiking-app-rebrands-as-farout 

  • GPX File downloads (to add to GPS watches and related apps)

    • CalTopo map of CT "T9TN"

      • 2024-02-10 Eric Johnson Posted on Colorado Trail Hikers, Thru-Hikers and Trail Angel

    • Garmin Instructions for: Uploading and Syncing GPX Files to the inReach Mini 2

NWCC - National Water and Climate Center

Fiddle with the "Conditions" settings, to view as much data as you can stand!

• NWCC Interactive Map (Snow-Water Equivalent)

Mountain Forecast

Search for the mountain of interest

• https://www.mountain-forecast.com

Hikers could get $25,000 fine after getting "tired" and requesting emergency assistance | outtherecolorado.com

Comment

Hannah Watson

I've been recommended the Farout app by someone whose used it for CT. It's an offline map so don't need data and it tracks your GPS so can see if you've deviated from the trail. It will obviously use phone battery though. I intend to keep my inreach on all the time while walking just for safety. I'll recharge when I resupply and through solar charger.

Question

Ina Biz

just another basic question > caltopo track > how accurate is the cal topo track ???

correct me if i am wrong > the red line is the track recorded - means somebody walked this ..

?? the black dashed  line is the trail as published by the authorities ???

???? who is correct ?

Answer

Eric Johnson

Can you reference the link? Each map on CalTopo (which is my favorite for mapping my own routes) is different.

Ina Biz

Eric Johnson hi Eric this is the link > https://caltopo.com/m/T9TN

Eric Johnson

Ina Biz thanks for sharing. This is not an official map, but it is a very good one for the most part. Anyone can publish a CalTopo map and call it whatever they want.

Ina Biz

Thanks Eric - so the map used as background could show a much older variant of the trail ..