Using an Iphone as a hand held GPS for hiking remote ares

[Gjac]

I want to hike Paria canyon in AZ to the first Wave and understand there are no established trails or trail markers to follow which I guess is common for desert area type hikes. My question is has anyone used their I phone as a GPS and what kid of maps need to be downloaded first? Is there a database for BLM topo type maps showing waypoints for these type of hikes?

[pauldub]

I've used iHike a lot over the last several years and I really like it. I use it for off-road trips and for hiking. I've tried some of the others but prefer iHike because I find it easier to use. It will plot your course on a topo while you hike or you can put in a route defined by way points in advance. The app is 5 or 10 dollars but there is no recurring charge or any charge for maps. You just need to be sure and download the USGS maps in a location where you have data coverage. I think you can also download USFS maps. If you don't have a map downloaded, it will still plot your course on a blank map which will allow you to retrace your route. I go on hikes with the app running for at least 8-10 hours and I still have some battery left at the end of the hike. I do carry a battery pack in case I run out of juice, but I've never needed to use it.

[Gjac]

joebedford wrote:

Gjac wrote:
traveling down the road at 60 mpg.

I've never been able to get that kind of performance.

This is not the first time I made that mistake.

[Gjac]

wa8yxm wrote:
I am not sure the GPS works in airplane mode as it is an RF Receiver and most RF Receivers make a RF signal as well.. Google "Fox Hole Radio" for an explanation.
(The fox hole radio does NOT generate RF that can be detected).

Also does the I-Phone store the area map.. Android's do not ... by default.. but you can store an area map if you wish.

Carry a back up emergency re-charger would be my suggestion.

My I phone 7 GPS system (Copilot) works in airplane mode. Don't all these newer smart phone have a stand alone GPS system?

[joebedford]

Gjac wrote:
traveling down the road at 60 mpg.

I've never been able to get that kind of performance.

[kzspree320]

Look into Motion X GPS app for iPhone. Costs $1.99 at App Store and there is no subscription required. You can download maps for use when there is no cell service. It will allow you to use tracks like a portable GPS. The offline maps you download can take a lot of space if the area is large and you want maximum detail. Even if the map doesn't have a lot of detail for your area, if you start a new track when you start your hike you should be able to find your way back and retrace your steps. I bought this to replace my handheld GPS when it died. Hope this helps.

[Gjac]

Thanks for all the replies and info. I checked out OnX Hunt, Gaia GPS, AllTrails and USGS maps. Could not find from there web sites if the areas that I wanted where there without buying the subscription. The USGS maps were free and I found the trail I was looking for and for a one time use it looks fine. However if I were 20 years younger and was going to do a lot of hiking the Gaia and Alltrails were better but cost $19 -$29/year for a subscription.

[Hondavalk]

Check the "AllTrails" app

[Tiger4x4RV]

When I did a lot of remote hiking, I would carry topo maps (free downloads from USGS) in my iPod Touch, which is basically an iPhone without the phone. Like a paper map, but better. No cell signal needed.

The key to hiking in wild places is to always know where you are. Stop and look back; that's where you have to go to back to the trailhead. Maybe take photos of the trail behind you. Do not count on signs or piles of rocks.

[wa8yxm]

I am not sure the GPS works in airplane mode as it is an RF Receiver and most RF Receivers make a RF signal as well.. Google "Fox Hole Radio" for an explanation.
(The fox hole radio does NOT generate RF that can be detected).

Also does the I-Phone store the area map.. Android's do not ... by default.. but you can store an area map if you wish.

Carry a back up emergency re-charger would be my suggestion.

[BarryG20]

That is a great area. Cell service out there is very very spotty. Even GPS doesn't work in the depths of a canyon. I would personally take a hard copy map and description of the trail which should be easily found online. However FYI the Wave is a very popular trail and a permit is required which is done by lottery either in advance via internet or in person for a walk up lottery the day before the trip. I think they limit it to 20 permits per day. So make sure and check up on that if you are not aware of it. As such you probably wont have too much trouble following the trail as there is some signage and some rock cairns. On the walk up permit lottery I have had people tell me they walked right in with plenty of others there and they got one but they are only doing 10 in advance and 10 walk up and the walk up is for the following day. So if you walk up you may or may not get one just depends on your luck I guess.
some info for the lottery and the hike
https://www.thewave.info/index.html

Since it is a lottery and you may or may not get a permit having a plan B would be a good idea. Some other hikes that are not too far away and while not the Wave they are awesome and some may say better but that would totally depend on your point of view

Buckskin Gulch is right there as well. One of the Grand Daddy's of slot canyons and not technical though it is a long haul from end to end (longest in the US) but you can hike in however far and turnaround and go back the same way instead of going all the way down to the Paria river and then up it to the White House trail head there which iirc is pushing 20 miles and you still need to get back to the starting point to get your vehicle so if you dont have two vehicles or a shuttle dont try to go end to end.
http://climb-utah.com/Escalante/buckskin.htm

Some others such as Round Valley Draw an excellent slot canyon that does require a bit of scrambling but nothing serious, Bull Valley Gorge same thing. Also Willis Creek and I think Sheep Creek. A piece of webbing or rope 20-30 feet long would be good to take along just in case for help if needed getting up, over and down a choke stone or short pour off. Both of those are up off Cottonwood Canyon Rd which the southern terminus of that road is on the highway not far east from House Rock Road where the Wave is located. A couple others in Page are Antelope Canyon upper and lower. Waterholes Canyon is another in Page. A quick web search will get you info on those. The Page hikes are on the Navajo Reservation and require permits from them which can be gotten at some trail heads or their office just outside of Page last item I was there anyway.
Probably too far but Hole In The Rock Road outside of Escalante is teeming with slots and great hikes.

[MDKMDK]

Gjac wrote:

MDKMDK wrote:
True satellite GPS use can be a huge battery drain, no?

I'm not worried about battery drain for what I need at this point, but from what I understand if you put you phone on airplane mode and shut off all the apps that use your location the battery drain is minimal. . From what little I read about this walking from way point to way point is different than traveling down the road at 60 mpg. I always carry a battery pack anyways

Just wanted to mention it, in case it hadn't been considered. Airplane mode should help battery life. You're right, it's the apps that keep trying to find wireless or cellular signal that wear down the battery. Spare battery pack doesn't hurt, either. Have fun.

[RCMAN46]

I have had good luck with Gaia GPS.

[RCMAN46]

Duplicate post sorry

[Gjac]

MDKMDK wrote:
True satellite GPS use can be a huge battery drain, no?

I'm not worried about battery drain for what I need at this point, but from what I understand if you put you phone on airplane mode and shut off all the apps that use your location the battery drain is minimal. . From what little I read about this walking from way point to way point is different than traveling down the road at 60 mpg. I always carry a battery pack anyways