Lessons Learned - How to Create Trail Maps

[CDTHiker]

I purchased Topo 8.0 with a PN-30 a couple of months ago. I like the software and once you get past the learning curve you’ll see it is very powerful. The documentation manual is quite large, but it usually does not tell you why to do something or give you direction on the recommended best practice. I find Help topics more illustrative, especially the tutorials, but there are only a limited number. So, for those neophytes like me, the following documentation is what I have learned and hopefully will help others who are new to the software. It includes plenty of screen shots for easy reference.

I am an avid hiker; so this overview focuses on how to create trails, tracks, etc. I by no means think what I say here is the best way. It is only one way to hopefully jump start you to creating your own trail. The software is very powerful and will often allow you to do the same function many ways. So, I am sure there are more experienced users that have developed better and faster tricks to make great maps.

Another great resource for creating trails is from Delorme and can be accessed by clicking on the attached link. http://blog.delorme.com/2008/10/11/maki ... ate-pn-40/

The attached .pdf file is my four step process for creating trail maps.

[CowboySlim]

Very nice and helpful treatise, thank you very much!

And now for something completely different (well, attitude-wise):
viewtopic.php?f=140&t=18869#p149618

[Vic L]

Nice work. Maybe a start on a much needed Topo USA wiki.

[TotemLake]

Vic, that's not a bad idea.

CDTHiker, that's going to make a nice start to the Wiki. Good job!

[CDTHiker]

It could be a simple wiki with an index of articles and associated .pdf format so we could download and print. Nothing fancy looking like the PN wiki. Lots of good info out there that needs to be pulled together.

[John Moran_2]

Creating trails is easy. Creating routable trails takes a little more effort.
JM

[GinLo]

Thank you!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write and post your article! I received my PN-60 for Christmas (yes, that many months ago!) and attempted then to create a route but got totally frustrated and set my device aside. Decided to give the PN another try and after much online searching and trial-and-error finally discovered both ways you described in your article to create a trail. Wish I had found your article in December. I told myself when I finally figured it out, I'd try to post instructions for other newbies, but you've taken care of that--and better than I could have, I'm sure. Again, thank you very much for helping us all out.