Mapping software and websites
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 8:19 am
I do a lot of off trail and usually like to have a pretty good plan before I go. I'm also a refuge from the now unsupported TOPO! software. What I'm looking for is a one stop shop for planning routes, printing maps and uploading GPX files to an iPhone gps app. I'd like to hear what mapping software or websites others are using. I've looked at several and here is what I've found
Hillmap: great place to start and downloads GPX files nicely but the map printing option is terrible. It looks like the site hasn't been supported since 2014. I sent an email and got no response.
Caltopo: prints maps nicely with uploaded GPX files from hillmap but I can't figure out how to create or edit a route there.
Gaia GPS: I actually paid for this service in hopes that it would be a one stop solution for planning routes, printing maps and uploading GPX files to my iPhone. It does some pretty cool stuff and there is actually support available but it seems very buggy. When planning routes it seems to want to second guess me and plan all sort of loops etc for me that I don't want. Also when planning a little connector route on the JMT it errored out after being fine on a bunch of cross country stuff. Also no scale on printed maps. Seems like the free version is better than the paid version.
All Trail: this is who national geographic sold the TOPO! software too. I haven't tried it since it doesn't say that you can download GPX files and there doesn't appear to be any support so I've passed on it. Appears to be for folks who stay on the trail but not sure.
I'd love to hear the experiences of others. Thanks!
Wanderng Jack
Hillmap: great place to start and downloads GPX files nicely but the map printing option is terrible. It looks like the site hasn't been supported since 2014. I sent an email and got no response.
Caltopo: prints maps nicely with uploaded GPX files from hillmap but I can't figure out how to create or edit a route there.
Gaia GPS: I actually paid for this service in hopes that it would be a one stop solution for planning routes, printing maps and uploading GPX files to my iPhone. It does some pretty cool stuff and there is actually support available but it seems very buggy. When planning routes it seems to want to second guess me and plan all sort of loops etc for me that I don't want. Also when planning a little connector route on the JMT it errored out after being fine on a bunch of cross country stuff. Also no scale on printed maps. Seems like the free version is better than the paid version.
All Trail: this is who national geographic sold the TOPO! software too. I haven't tried it since it doesn't say that you can download GPX files and there doesn't appear to be any support so I've passed on it. Appears to be for folks who stay on the trail but not sure.
I'd love to hear the experiences of others. Thanks!
Wanderng Jack