GPS Navigation with Your Smartphone

Getting lost is never any fun, and can be life threatening. With today’s technology this doesn’t have to happen.

Here are some things I have learned that may be of use to you.
Modern smartphones make excellent navigation tools, but having a paper map, compass, and knowing how to use them is vital insurance if you are going into large wilderness areas. I have never had the batteries on my compass fail.

One misconception I hear often is that you need cell coverage to use them for navigation. This is not true, as GPS signals originate from low earth orbit satellites, not from ground based towers, as cell signals do. Having said that the map overlay is loaded over cell or wifi, so it is important to 1. have an app that supports offline maps, and 2. downloading the area you intend to be riding in BEFORE you get out of range of either cell or wifi.
Also make sure you have plenty of battery life or an additional power pack to power your phone for the length of your planned trip plus a reserve, ideally another day.

The first thing is choosing an app for navigation. These are the ones I am familiar with, although there are others.
The most important feature is they MUST be able to download and store maps when there is no cell coverage, as on a number of trails, cell coverage is spotty or non-existent.

Alltrails:
Plans: $35.99 per year for the plus, which is all you need
Pros:
Works on Android, IOS, and PC
Has a lot of trails and reviews by users.
Works when there is no cell coverage.
Decent maps
Supports GPX tracks. (Note these can only be exported from a PC, not a mobile.)
Cons:
I feel their map selection is not as comprehensive as Gaia.
In summary, it is a pretty good platform, and I use it for discovering trails and reviewing the user reports.

Avenza:
Pros:
Free app for Android and IOS
The Government uses it for a lot of trail maps.
Works when there is no cell coverage
Cons:
Uses geocoded PDF maps which work well, but take up a lot on memory storage.
The free version limits your own geocoded maps to 3, and the paid version is very expensive.
In summary, it is good to have for the government trail maps which are free.

Back Country Navigator XE & Pro
Plans are $15 to $30 a year depending on how maps are included
Pros:
Android and IOS(XE version only)
Supports GPX files
Works when there is no cell coverage
Records your tracks
Cons:
Not as extensive of map resources
Smaller user base, hence not as many online support options
I used to use this program, and it worked OK, but I have since switched to Gaia as my primary tool.

Caltopo:
Plans start at $20 a year for he ability to download offline maps.
Pros:
Works with Android and IOS
Supports GPX files
Works when there is no cell coverage
Great for teams, it was developed for SAR
Records your tracks
Cons:
Not as extensive of map resources

Gaia:
Plans $59.99 to $ 89.99 per year
Pros:
Works with Android and IOS
Supports GPX files
Works when there is no cell coverage
Record and playback your tracks
In my opinion, it has the best maps, including a private land overlay that shows whose land you are on or near.
Cons:
Expensive

Maprica:
Free for core functions
Pros:
Works when there is no cell coverage
You can make your own maps.
Quit a few private horse camps have their trail maps in this format
Supports GPX files
Cons:
Like Avenza it uses geocoded PDF maps which work well, but take up a lot on memory storage.
IOS is no longer supported, so I question how long it will e supported.

So now you have your chosen app installed, the map for the area you are going to ride loaded and saved on your phone. If you have a GPX track of the trail you are going to ride, be sure to import that and it will show on your map. The first thing I do is start recording my track and mark the trailhead so I know where it is. If you have a paper map, it is a good idea to mark on the map where you are periodically, just in case.

In the event of an emergency requiring outside help, first mark the location on your phone app, and paper map if you are sure of the location. Check latitude and longitude location on your phone and write it down, or save it some way, as this is vital to guide SAR to your location. You may have to ride to higher elevations to get a cell signal, and you want to be sure both you and SAR can find the victim.

Satellite communication is expanding rapidly, with Apple and T Mobile using some form of it. Garmin Inreach allows two way text communication all over the planet, and Spot offers satellite emergency one way SAR alerting. These services can be lifesavers when you are far from civilization. I am presently using Garmin Inreach, but that may change as advances are made.

Be safe and enjoy the ride.