I have a compass on my watch and my iPhone and will use backup paper maps for trails like the CDT and the PCT or any small hikes.
Maps are available for free for the PCT and CDT. Halfmile creates the PCT maps and has them available on the Pacific Crest Trail Association website along with some smaller pdf files made for phones. I used these maps thru my entire PCT thru hike.
HalfMile Maps
Jonathan Ley creates the CDT maps and annotates them with information plus illustrates all the alternative trails in purple. Ley has created a fine product which he will provide you a link to download if you email him. Get all the map info from his website below.
For me to see the maps clearly I selected the larger size, which in the long run made them a bit bulky. Eventually, I simply used my Guthook and Topo apps to navigate and carried sections of the paper maps for a backup.
Ley Website
Maps are available for free for the PCT and CDT. Halfmile creates the PCT maps and has them available on the Pacific Crest Trail Association website along with some smaller pdf files made for phones. I used these maps thru my entire PCT thru hike.
HalfMile Maps
Jonathan Ley creates the CDT maps and annotates them with information plus illustrates all the alternative trails in purple. Ley has created a fine product which he will provide you a link to download if you email him. Get all the map info from his website below.
For me to see the maps clearly I selected the larger size, which in the long run made them a bit bulky. Eventually, I simply used my Guthook and Topo apps to navigate and carried sections of the paper maps for a backup.
Ley Website
Both of these apps are completely functional without a cellular or wireless connection. They both require the maps to be downloaded with a good connection, usually prior to the hike. The GPS function for these apps can be set to turn off when not using the app, this feature will extend your battery.
I have found Guthook's app to be very good in providing information about important points along the trail such as water, junctions, views and towns. Guthook will get you back on the trail if you wander off. One very nice feature is the elevation profile, this gives you an idea of the ascent and descent of your hike.
I like to use the Topo app to navigate a snow covered trail, create customized a route, or just return to the trail. The Topo app requires the user to import waypoints, then download the free topo maps that are associated with the trail waypoints. This is a time consuming effort that requires the user to do the work prior to the hike, but I have always enjoyed it and found the end result very helpful on the trail. Once the maps are dowloaded you can access them in the app without the user of a cellular or wireless connection.
For the PCT I import the Halfmile waypoints
For the CDT I import the Bear Creek waypoints
For the TRT I import the waypoints from the TRT website
The common GPX files import nicely into the Topo app. Sometimes data is in a different format and requires converting to GPX. I have found conversion programs that are web based that do a very nice job converting data to various formats.
One convient website that converts data is https://kml2gpx.com. A nice feature is to be able to take the GPX waypoints and convert them into KML waypoints to import into Google Earth, giving you a great overview of the trail. Another trick is to import the NOAA snow data into Google Earth then overlay the trail you are interested in. Immediately you get a feel for the conditions that exist ahead.
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