The Fellowship of PNW Tacomas | PDX Area Wheeling

One thing I'd add is for people to download an offline GPS app. These include Gaia GPS (my personal favorite), OnX Offroad GPS, Avenza Maps, etc. Something that allows you to record your movements. These apps are extremely useful and are free for basic use, such as recording or downloading pre-recorded GPX files, and basic membership usually opens up the ability to download areas so you don't lose map details when offline. I can't stress enough how helpful offline GPS apps are, Gaia has saved my ass from getting lost too many times, and I'm telling you, it's extremely easy to get lost out in the TSF.

Here is the link to get the GPX files for where we're going: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/recreation/pages/motorizedtrails.aspx
Here's an image highlighting what to click on that page to get the correct files

 

Have you found a good way to navigate to those points as well as label? I find it’s hit and miss for me..
And thanks for the tips!

 

100% Gaia has been a game changer for exploring. I did a free trial for 3 months and after about 2 weeks I was sold. I’ll drop the link here for the 3 month free trial through Washington trail association. I would also say spend an hour watching some tutorial videos. It seems a little complex at first, but before you know it you’ll be a master navigator.


https://www.gaiagps.com/premium/?PROMO=WTA

Here is some good tutorials and if you want a regular membership Lifestyle Overland has 20% off, so it works out to right around $32 a year.

https://www.lifestyleoverland.com/this-is-the-best-outdoor-navigation-app-ever/

 

that TSF gpx package is thorough but also kinda overwhelming. It shows a spaghetti factory of trails with no names or details.

I’ve had really good luck downloading individual trails off trailsoffroad.com It’s alittle more tedious since you have to do it trail by trail but then you can put the name and difficulty in the title of each trail (more handy if you have an idea of where you wanna go that day)

The fee TSF paper map has also saved my lost ass many times.

 

I don't think I'm understanding what you're trying to ask. I've found it easy to make labels/way points on Gaia at least, just hold finger down on screen where you want the point, then title it, hit save, done. But that's what I've been doing myself for that.

 

You have to tap on the trail itself and it'll give you the trail name, then you can add other details like, personal difficulty rating and standard rating, etc. But yes, it really does look like a mess of trails when you get it in there lol

Here's after I trapped in the trail


Then tap on that green "i" that's circled

 

I’m very familiar with how to use Gaia (been using it for years climbing and backpacking). But they must have updated the files! I downloaded them several years ago and all the trails literally show up as a single track.

 

Sorry, didn't mean to over explain to you, but more for others who are in this forum who aren't familiar

 

No worries. More importantly I’m going to have to re-download the TSF map package. With trail names added that plus the paper map to lookup trail difficulties is all you need out there!

thanks!

 

I’m going to have to download some gpx files soon too. I’ve only ever used it on phones/iPad so I’ve never actually gone through file downloads. I’ve heard about doing it, just never got around to doing anything yet. Seems pretty straight forward.

 

the other game changer was when they added Apple CarPlay functionality to Gaia a few years back.

 

That would be awesome, but it’s currently out of my price range and priority list. I have the DMM mount from taco garage and I have an old iPhone 6plus that I run as my navigation monitor for Gaia.

 

I think this is what I didn’t realize. I have the files downloaded, but struggle to get to the points. Found it hit and miss actually knowing what road I was on. I’ll have to play with it some more. thanks.

 

This is a great post, thanks for sharing this again with everyone. I am gonna add a link to this post in the OP.

It's awesome to have the trails, but the color coding could use some work. I was pondering last night spending some time and going though and making everything look better. Maybe I will even do it..

Wish they would add android auto. Though now that I have the front camera, I am not so sure how much I would use it.

 

Yeah sucks that they don't allow 3rd party navigation apps. Also kind of ironic because I held off on a carplay unit for awhile because they were the same way only allowing the use of apple maps. Didn't upgrade until they enabled google maps (and my stock head unit died) and then Gaia followed suit about a year later.

I have a front camera as well but I only turn it on when I need it and my head unit has a button that toggles between the main screen and camera so it's super easy on the fly. Plus my camera is mounted low in my front bumper so it feels like warp speed on the screen if I just leave the camera on all the time.

 

Google is now allowing 3rd party apps. They changed it a few months ago or so. Gaia just needs to get on making it happen.

Since getting the front camera I have been leaving it on basically the entire time on any trail. I love that thing for off roading. It's so good it feels like cheating.

 

Found a post from a year ago that was answered in 3/2021 referencing a beta version you can sign up to test. I signed up earlier but have not received the updated version yet.

Edit: JK, I have the new version already.

 

I am in the beta. It does not work at all with AA yet. I honestly cannot believe they don't even have turn by turn navigation working yet. Seems like a basic function for a gps app.

https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/c...status?page=2#community_comment_1500000484022