Tools and Tricks for Adventure/Overland Route Planning

How many times have you decided you wanted to go on an adventure by first establishing a destination? Happens all the time right? How many have realized that there are a bunch of destinations that would be awesome to hit along the way? Or worse, missed out about a cool spot you didn't know about? How about those adventures that have ridged trip criteria like: "touch as little pavement as possible between Colorado and Utah".

So we all start looking...


Maps are always good place to start, but they are all over the place (No one map has all the information we want) or the maps are outdated.  Trip reports are fantastic but so few take the time to write them up, and then some don't provide the details you need. 

So while I cannot solve this challenge entirely, I'd like to offer up a few tools and tricks to help out with your next adventure.  If your in a rush, install Google Earth and download this Master file I maintain and start planning your adventure.

Tools and Tricks:

1. Download and install Google Earth (It's free).  In google earth, in the "Layers" section check out the following:
• Photos > Panoramio
• Gallery > Everytrail
• Gallery > Trimble Outdoor Trips
• Gallery > Wikiloc
• More > Wikipedia
2. Keyhole Markup Language (KML): 
• In geek: KML is an XML notation for expressing geographic annotation and visualization within Internet-based, two-dimensional maps and three-dimensional Earth browsers. 
• Everyone else: Its a file that contains information that works with a lot of map programs, especially easy to use on Google Earth.
• Take the time and learn how to load, create, save KML files.  They not only work in Google Earth but work with several smartphone apps (e.g. Backcountry Navigator) making navigation a breeze. 
3. Treasure Map Hunting (Not to be confused with treasure maps).  A quick search and you'll realize there are huge sources of up-to-date maps on the internet, most of them free. Here are a few (Download this KMZ file (Map Overlays) to access the resources listed below.  Please visit funtreks.com for their content):
• Microsoft's Windows Live maps (Satellite, Terrain, Hybrid)
• Google Maps (Satellite, Terrain, Hybrid)
• OpenStreetMap
• OpenCycleMap (Great source for off road, bike and foot trails)
• arcgisonline.com (Good world topo Map)
• earthpoint.us (hosts the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) map)
• U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife
• Stay The Trail Colorado
• US Forest Service (has the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM))
• GPSVisualizer.com
• Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• funtreks.com - These guys are awesome in that they provide detailed trip reports (trail ratings), maps covering several states.  This is the easy win if messing with a bunch of maps gives you a headache.  There are a few other sources for route planning available (Bushducks, Trail Damage, etc.) available Here.
4. Make your own maps (KML/KMZ files):  Even with all the free resources its hard to consolidate all the information into one view.  Sometimes you just have to create your own notes for trails, points of interests that you read online, trip reports or hear about around the campfire.  Feel free to download my map (MAP-V) and load it into Google Earth to get an idea of what you can do.  Seriously, take others work if you can (if it's free and legal), don't recreate it!
5. Plot a course: Once you have the ability to easily compile all the information you need into one view (Google Earth) you should start to get excited, then pass out due to information overload. 

If you have maps or information you would like to have added to the Master file please send me an e-mail/pm.