US Forest Service Maps on Your Smart Phone

[FrontRangeRider]

I also posted this in the general section.

I stopped by the local Forest Service office to pick up maps the other day and learned that there is an app that links Motor Vehicle Use Maps with the GPS on your smartphone. The map application is Avenza PDF maps. After you download and install the app on your phone, you then access the desired maps via the Avenza store icon. Search for the ranger district of interest and download the desired map or maps. The maps are free and the application works great; I've used it a couple of times to verify I was where I thought I was on a particular trail.

You can find more information at http://www.staythetrail.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=278:checkout-the-free-avenza-app&Itemid=154

I can verify it works well in CO but cannot verify the connection between the maps and GPS works in other ranger districts in the US.

 

[14kmtnman]

FrontRangeRider - How have you been? This looks like a really cool tool. It sure beats hauling around a bunch of maps. Looking forward to trying it once I get back on the bike in about 3-4 weeks.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

14kmtnman - I'm doing great. I retired in January and have been playing as much as I can since. The latest fun was buying a couple of serious dirt bikes and riding the OHV trails as well as our dual sports. I have an appointment next week for the State Police to inspect the Yamaha WR450 to verify it is street legal. Going to plate it so I can ride it to the trailheads and on roads connecting good trails. If the weather would cooperate, we'd have ridden a lot more than we have so far.

Yes, the map app is great. Supposedly, it even works when you don't have cell service. Just needs the GPS turned on. I cannot verify that; have not been anywhere without cell service yet where I was using it but I plan to check it this summer when we go to Lake City.

 

[14kmtnman]

Good for you. Congrats. I knew you were getting ready to. It's hard to believe how fast time flies... Those WR450's would seem to make a fun off road bike.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

I hope so. The Tenere is what got me interested in serious dirt riding again. I had loads of fun back in my 20s when I raced motocross and rode offroad areas in NJ. The S10 is great for most of the dirt roads we ride but a little heavy for some of the places we'd like to get to. I'm also hoping there is some skills transfer that improves my off road skills on the S10.