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This website was created and is maintained by an educator that is dedicated to delivering.. As I complete pages, the site pages will be updated. Most pages will be broken until the page is complete. Pennsylvania and its wilderness / water supply is in danger, because of the natural gas industry. |
Note: Welcome to the new |
This webpage is designed to teach you about various..
GPS features, Garmin Information, GeoRFLF created data
and additional information useful to GPS technology.
GeoRFLF GPS Receiver (GPSr)
Currently I am on my third GPS and I have my eyes on a 4th, the Garmin "GPSMAP62s" (I do not need the "st" model since I already own the Topo Maps). My first GPS was the Garmin "eTrex Legend." It was a nice GPSr with some great features. I liked the rocker switch for naming waypoints. I also liked its small design, but it lacked the reliable reception that I was looking for. This receiver did not hold a strong signal under the summer foliage of PA. Unfortunately because of poor reception the LINK HERE Black Forest Trail GPS tracks and waypoints suffered consistency. I am currently reassembling the trail and its data as I hike sections of the BFT. Further research concluded that the lack of reliable reception was because of two things. The first being the type of antenna this model uses (patch antenna) and the second was due to a GPS chipset that was not high sensitivity. Garmin, Magellan, Bushnell, Delormes and other manufactures still use the patch antenna, but thanks to high sensitivity receivers and better technology these types of antennas are more reliable, but I am still a believe in the quad-helix antenna, more about this later!
My second GPS unit was the Garmin GPSMAP 60. It was a great GPS and was worth the extra money, but it lacked some extra feature such as: an electronic compass, barometer, elevation profiling and color to name a few of the big ones. I truly enjoyed this unit, but when Garmin released the new "x" series I had to upgrade. The 60 series units utilize the quad-helix antenna which is capable of searching for satellites on a 360 degree level unlike the eTrex series which has limited viewing of the sky. My current GPS is the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. This unit is absolutely amazing and is worth upgrading to. The satellite reception and accuracy, no matter what the conditions or topography (due to the SiRF chip), is absolutely awesome! The original "x" units released by Garmin incorporated the SiRF chip, which increases the units sensitivity in receiving satellites by a huge percentage. The new "x" units use Garmin's own highly sensitive chip which from what I read is comparable to the SiRF chip. High Sensitive receivers are capable of receiving bouncing (deflected) satellite data. Most GPSr's need direct sight of the satellites in the sky to receive data, but the SiRF and other "x" receivers are capable of receiving data that has "bounced' or "deflected" off the topography whether it be buildings, trees and sometimes caves. How cool is that! I have been in some serious tree coverage, canyons, ravines, tunnels, caves and even my house with access to only one window and it still is capable of receiving/holding reception with no problems. The GPSMAP 60CSx has great features that are perfect for all GPS users. I encourage you to research the unit and Garmin's other newer units or any GPS unit before buying, because what works for me, may be too much or too little for you. You can also create your own personal waypoint symbols for the 60CSx, which I have done! Check them out at the bottom of the page. There you will find the symbols and directions on how to download them for your own personal use.
Useful GPS Information & Links from Garmin
* Learn all about Garmin products, GPS & software available to Garmin customers here.
* Click either the icon or the link below.
Garmin's Learning Center- Learn about your GPS and other GPS stuff.
Garmin's Support Page - Garmin's Support Page.
Garmin's Software for Download - Products such as: MapSource Updates, POI Loader, BaseCamp, Mac Software, etc..
Garmin's BaseCamp Software - BaseCamp is a free piece of software available for download that incorporates features of MapSource along with the ability to view the map from any angle. I am not a big fan of it. I prefer..
MapSource Trips & Waypoint Manager.
Garmin's MapSource Update Website - This page takes you to their update location for MapSource.
Garmin's Map Conversion Website - This page tells you how to convert your PC DVD-ROM maps of U.S. TOPO for Mac use. Read about it here.
Garmin's MapInstall and MapManager for the Mac - An additional piece of software needed to complete the map conversion for your Mac.
Garmin's Unit Update Website - WebUpdater updates your unit automatically with the lastest software and firmware updates.
Garmin's Custom Maps Website - Information on how to upload custom maps to your GPS.
Garmin's BirdsEye Satellite Imagery Website - BirdsEye Satellite Imagery is exactly that. It's like using Google Maps Satellite View, but on your GPS.
Garmin's Points of Interest Loader Website - This software allows you to convert a waypoint with symbol to a permanent fixture on your GPS Unit.
Garmin's Road Trip Website - This software allows you to use your laptop and GPS unit as one during navigation. Take that small 2in. screen and enlarge it to your laptop size screen!
However the software is only compatible with the Mac OS.
Read Garmin's "How To Use Paper Maps with your GPS" to improve your navigational confidence.
Read Garmin's "GPS Beginner's Guide Manual".
Read Garmin's "Map Datum List"
Read the "DCNR's Trail Markings" PDF file.
Download Acrobat Reader here.
* Click either the icon or the link above.
GPSr Features
Most GPSr's are equipped with some great hardware and software features. With this in mind they have a wide variety of features and menus. Some receivers are more customizable than others, some support shaded-reliefing, some support geocaching features and some have better processors and more memory. Features listed below are for garmin units, especially the 60 Series.
Main Screens
- Satellite Screen
- Displays the 12 possible satellites visible at all times no matter what your location is on the earth
- 3 gets a 2D Fix, 4 or more is a 3D fix with elevation
- 2 views, satellite bars & constellation location along with satellite numbers
- Track Log Screen
- Displays your track log
- Saved tracks
- Menu setup - I have found the best setup to be 10,000 tracks, set to .01 miles (52.08ft.) by distance
- Map Screen
- Displays the map in various formats depending on what software you have loaded
- Basemap
- US TOPO 100K
- US TOPO 24K
- Custom Maps for new units
- Newer units support 3D shaded reliefing and Bird's Eye Viewing
- Compass Screen
- Displays a compass for navigation, the unit must be held horizontal
- Some have a 2D compass where you must be walking for the compass to work
- Some have a 3D compass where you do not have to move for the compass to work
- The newest units have a 4D compass that works no matter how the unit is held
- You can also display up to 4 data fields
- Trip Computer Screen
- This screen displays a wide variety of data fields calculated by your GPSr
- I prefer to show time of day, sunset, moving time, moving average, total time, overall average, trip odometer & odometer
- Altimeter Page
- Displays your hike via a profile view along with two data fields, barometer and max elevation other fields can be chosen
- Menu Page
- This page allows to you edit your GPSr in all sorts of ways, from setup to menu displays to GPS games
- There are allot of features displayed on this screen and many of the icons have additional information within them
- Auto-routing Screen
- Some units have a screen for road navigation just like a car GPSr
GPS Antenna Types
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Custom "MapSource" Categories Created by GeoRFLF
MapSource Users can organize their waypoints into 16 different categories. So I have utilized this feature and created 16 different categories that I feel are important to use when out in the woods. They are...
- It works great. For example, if you are strictly looking for campsites, just use the campsite category and the only waypoints that will be displayed on the screen will be the campsites.
Learn How To Interpret My GPS Files
Custom "Waypoint Symbols" Created by GeoRFLF for use with GPSr & MapSource
I have also created 24 of my very own custom waypoints that I use out on the trail. Feel free to download and use them.
You may also want to down download my file that will explain how to Interpret My GPS Files to better understand how I have uniformed my GPS naming and filing system. I do however explain of of this below.
FYI on Custom Waypoint Symbols
- Icons have been saved to Garmin's color palette specifications and extension. (16 pixel, 256 colors, .bmp)
- The icons must be saved in a certain order and naming scheme.
- Unit icons must be saved as: Waypoint Symbol 000.bmp, Waypoint Symbol 001.bmp, etc..
- MapSource icons must be saved as: 000.bmp, 001.bmp, etc..
What Does All This Mean?
- If you want to see and select your custom icons in the Garmin MapSource software you must save the custom icons in your "My Documents\My Garmin\Custom Waypoint Symbols" folder in the order named above.
- If you want to use the icons in your GPS unit you must upload them using "ximage" in the same order you saved them on your PC with a different naming method (given in #2.)
- Yes, you will have 2 sets of the exact same waypoint icons, but named differently, Why? It's just the way it is! One set for the unit and one set for the software.
- Use "ximage" to upload the symbols into the GPS unit (you must have a compatible unit, which I will get to later).
- If you use another brand of GPSr; I am very sorry, but I can not help you in uploading my custom symbols (I don't know how, but I can try and find out for you). : )
- I have the icons available for download in both color palette's; the GPSr & MapSource:
- Black & White (GPS Only)
- Black & White (MapSource Only)
- Color (GPS Only)
- Color (MapSource Only)
| Icon Symbols & Their Meanings | |||
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 Cross a Road or Merge onto a Road Turn Left onto a Road Turn Right onto a Road Reptile or Amphibian Flower or Plant Trail Register Trail Merge Trail Crossing Low or Non-Dependable Water Source Small Waterfall Big Waterfall Trail Split Trail Bears Left or Takes Left Fork Trail Bears Right or Takes Right Fork |
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Note: To download icons right-click over the image and click "Save Picture As.."
Questions or Comments?: Please feel free to email me, I would appreciate them, Thanks! |
Want to download all 27 of them? |
Note: Icons were created with GPS orientation set to "North Up" Note: The magenta background is needed to display a transparency background around the waypoint objects on the unit & MapSource display screens. Note: The bottom left two icons will not display correctly on the GPS Unit. I think the color palette is messed up. I will attempt to fix them in the near future. |
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Vista looking North
Vista looking South
Vista looking West
Vista looking East
Panoramic Vista looking North
Panoramic Vista looking South
Panoramic Vista looking West
Panoramic Vista looking East
Snake
Run
Bail-Out Trail to Main Road
Animal
Insect or CaterpillarGeoRFLF Help Files (available for download)
Learn To Interpret My GPS File
I have arranged my GPS waypoint naming system to follow a certain format.
I hope they are not too confusing for you to use.
Listed below will be examples that you will find within my .gdb / .gpx files along with their meanings.
Please read all of this to fully understand my GPS files.
I may have enough room for spacing waypoint names, but most of the time I do not.
Click Here to download the topic information below in a pdf document.
The first thing you will notice is the waypoint symbol name:
Ex.1) 0815 GCS
- This means that at mile 8.15 you will find a Good Campsite!
- Generally GCS’s have a good water supply
- Are big in size
- Have a nice fire ring with seating
GCS = Good Campsite
ECS = Established Campsite
PCS = Possible Campsite Location
You may also find other words behind the GCS, ECS or PCS such as:
NoH2O which means there is NO WATER HERE!
-H2O which means LOW WATER SOURCE HERE! Or UNRELIABLE due to location or during periods of no rain or drought when I was there
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Ex. 2) 0693 Lt Wds Rd
You many also find other words after the mileage such as:
Ex. 3) 5048XCraneSpur
You many also find other examples after the mileage such as: 3982 X Sm Trib = Cross over a Small Tributary at mile 39.82 X = Cross Over or Crossing Ex. 4) 0385 Bohen Run
* The rest of my sayings are pretty much self explanatory. |
The second thing you will notice is the waypoint symbol itself:
Each symbol has its own meaning. They are listed above: Click here to be directed to all 27 of them. They are also available for download!
Note: The GPSMAP 60CSx allows:
- 14 characters in the "name" section
- All of my waypoints are 14 characters or less
- 30 characters in the "comments" section
- Please Read Them Prior to Your Outdoor Adventure
- 1 "symbol" per waypoint of any precreated or personally created waypoint
- 24 user created symbols, I have created 27
- All of my waypoints have an icon with it
Click on the image to view full resolution.
The third thing you will notice is the comment section:
- All of my waypoints have a comment written in this field
- Please Read Them
- They contain valid and valuable information about that waypoint
- I’ve created a format with this section as well.
Ex. 1) Trail Merge – RX-3 (left), turn right
This means that you will merge with the RX-3 trail that comes in from the left, but you will turn right.
Ex. 2) Trail Merge – RX-3, turn right
This means that you will merge with the RX-3 trail that comes in from the left, but you will turn right.
Ex. 3) Trail Split – RX-3 (right), turn left
This means that you will depart the trail by turning left, but the RX-3 trail continues to the right.
Ex. 4) Trail Merge - Unknown, turn left
This means you will turn left to continue on the trail. Unknown simply means I don't know the name of the trail that merges into the trail you are hiking
Ex. 5) Trail Crossing – X-C Ski
This means that you will cross over the cross country ski trail.
I have several other formats that I use, they are self-explanatory.
The fourth thing you will notice is the categories section:
Note: If you have not created categories yours will appear as Category 1, 2, etc.. to 16
- Each waypoint is placed into one of my precreated categories. They are listed above: Click here to be directed to the screenshot.
- The categories come in handy, especially if you only want to view a certain aspect of the trail, for instance: campsites, vista, etc...
You can also arrange the waypoints in order by either:
- Name (from A-Z)
- Waypoint Symbol
- Comment, Coordinates, Altitude, etc.
Just click on the bar above the waypoints symbols where the title appears.
After the category title you will find a personal comment about the waypoint, either the name or specific instructions.
Additional Important Information
GPS Recorded Tracks:
- The majority of my tracks are the actual electronic breadcrumb trail tracks that my GPSr (Garmin GPSMap 60Csx) has recorded.
- I have my unit set to do this every .01 miles, roughly 52.8 feet (17.6 yards).
Setting the GPSr to record track data in time intervals is not practical in my eyes and anything more than .01 miles is too much.
I want my tracks to be as accurate as possible.
Track Log & Odometer Discrepancy
- The Track Log & Odometer on my unit never match up correctly on any of my adventures.
- At first the odometer recorded a distance shorter than actually traveled.
- After an update, my odometer now records a distance longer than my track log?
- Garmin is fully aware of this problem and has not given me a straight forward answer. I have received multiple explanations from different technicians. All that I can tell you is the odometer and the track log record by two different means of data. Why? I don’t know, but my best educated guess is:
- A. the track odometer considers the vertical change in the trail as you hike and
- B. the track log record straight distance only or as we call it, "the way the crow flies"
This is very frustrating for me, because I spend many hours correcting the waypoints to their exact distances. I do this one of two ways:
- The Trail Book (most trails detailed in trail guides have been recorded via a surveyors wheel or a surveyors GPS with differentiating
- MapSource using my tracklog
I want my data to be accurate for both you and me. My wife and I like to go back and visit certain geographical features on the trail at a later time. This data is critical for us when time is a factor.
Track Log Color
- The color of my track logs all have meaning too.
- Red trail / track = represents the state forest trail that we hiked, they are orange-blazed out in the woods, but red is the closest color to orange
- Blue trail / track = side trail or spur trail that connects two trails, blue-blazed out in the woods
- Yellow trail / track = side trail that leads to a town, road or other trail, yellow-blazed out in the woods
- Dark Red trail / track = shared used trail where foot, bike and horse travel is permitted, red-blazed out in the woods
- Default (light gray) = the default color that I used for the track log that is over 500 points
- Dark Magenta = The color I usually set my GPS to use for real-time tracking, but not always
Click on the image to view in its full resolution
Note: This trail's main track color is yellow, that is because the LT is blazed with yellow disks.
Most popular state forest trails are blazed with orange 2" x 6" rectangles.
* Take note to the track colors and the menu on the side.
If you would like to view the picture at full resolution, just click on the image.
Tracks In General
- Prior to a hike I draw out the trail by using the maps purchased for the trail. Many of them are USGS 7.5 minute maps or near quality.
- After the hike I delete my precreated trail and use the actual track log trail.
- This is what you get from me when you use my recorded data, unless it is a…
- Many of the side trails are estimated by the method above.
- If I have hiked the side trail it will be listed
- If I have not hiked the side trail, I will place a (NV) at the end of the name which means
- not validated by me
- Or if I have an estimated track log such as the last half of the STS.
* Accuracy is very important to me. If the trail was drawn correctly on the map, I will reproduce it as best as I can.
Saved Tracks
- Saved tracks can only be 500 points long, no matter how many miles the trail is. Stupid, but that is the way it is for the 60CSx
- The GPSMAP60CSx can save 20 tracks on the unit and an infinite number on the card (depending on how much space is available on your card.)
- The unit saves the active track log file as, "ACTIVE LOG" (you will notice this in MapSource) so if you upload a saved track bigger than 500 points to your unit you will see the word "TRUNCATED" on the GPSr screen. This means that data has been lost during the upload due to the track log being too big!
- So I have made sure that you get both track log files.
- ACTIVE LOG = This is the units actual electronic bread crumb trail
- Most accurate track
- 500 Point Log = saved version of this hike on the unit.
- GPSr’s version of this track log saved, not as accurate but is fine
Work Around..
- I have figured a way to work around this truncated track problem.
- If you want to upload a track log file larger than 500 points to your unit, whether it is…
- Created by you or me on the computer or
- By The Unit
- Just rename the track log file on the computer to "ACTIVE LOG" (this is what the units saves the active track log files as)
- Then upload it to the unit.
- What has happened is; the unit’s active track log file has been filled with this data and this section of the GPSr can store up to 10,000 points! Just make sure that your active log is clear before doing this.
GPS Files
- Some of my older GPS files do not follow my format 100% like my newer files. I am in the process of renaming these files to follow my new format. Some are worth changing and some are self-explanatory if you read this document.
Elevation Profile Documents
- Again, some of my older Profile documents do not follow my newest format 100% like my newer files do. I again am in the process of correcting these files to follow my new format. Most of my day hikes do not have detailed elevation profiles, they just contain the elevation information. I am also in the process of recreating these to contain the detailed information.
Click Learn to Interpret My GPS Files to download the topic information above in a pdf document.
Learn To Interpret My TOPO Files & Maps
I have transferred my GPS File Data to my National Geographic TOPO! software for even more detail and accuracy. The file (available for download) has the GPS waypoints and symbols.
The topo maps that I have created contain symbols and text only. Each map available for download will contain various symbols that I use and feel is important on the trail. Symbols used are campsites (3 different colors for 3 different meanings), waterfalls, vistas, parking areas, trailheads, water sources & others if needed.
The solid colored lines represent trails that are within the area. The main trail will be in red. This would be the trail you are about to hike if it is a state forest trail. Any map created on my website contains the actual trail you are about to hike unless I have stated so on the webpage. Some of the side trails I have and have not hiked, those that I have not hiked are estimates based off a very accurate method that I use. They are generally in other colors such as: Yellow, Green, Blue, Black, White, etc... The meanings for each trail are listed below.
The overall map of the entire trail (day hike or backpacking trip) & its surrounding area is very large in both viewing and print size, but they are USGS 24K quality. So I have also created smaller (1) one page maps available for print that cover the entire trail. These maps too are USGS 24K quality and scale.
Click Learn to Interpret My TOPO Files & Maps to download the topic information below in a pdf document.
Trail Colors
Red Trails
.tpo File: Main Trail associated with the .tpo file.
* Move the mouse over the trail to find out the name and mileage of the trail.
Map File: Main Trail associated with the map.
- I made the main trail red after the orange blazes that accompany main trails in PA.
- Day Hikes are also in red as red is the easiest color to see.
Blue/Black/Etc…
.tpo File: Side trails close by that can be seen on both types of maps. May lead to a waterfall or detour.
Map File: Side trails close by that can be seen on both types of maps. May lead to a waterfall or detour.
Yellow Trails
.tpo File: Side trail close by that can be seen on both types of maps. Generally lead to a town or road.
Map File: Side trail close by that can be seen on both types of maps. Generally lead to a town or road.
- * Trail colors are generally replicated exactly as they are in the woods
Right-Click: Save As... If you would like to copy the image.
| Symbols | |
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Green Campsite – Campsite established, maybe be a GCS or ECS, with flowing water Yellow Campsite – Campsite established, but it has low water, might be small or not an ideal location (right on the trail, poor water drainage, etc.) and/or all of the above Red Campsite – Campsite established, but it has no water! White Parking – Parking Area either established or off road parking location Blue Thick Arrow – Waterfall Blue Thin Arrow – Small Waterfall Blue Water Spout – Water Source Purple Trailhead – Trailhead Black Camera – Vista or View - - - - - Mile Markers – Shown on the maps too Trail Type – Point to Point or Loop Recorded Data from Guidebook – in Miles GPS Recorded Data – in Miles Trail Difficulty – Easy, Moderate or Strenuous |
 Right-Click: Save As... If you would like to copy the image. |
Click to view fullscreen  |
* The map displayed is the 17th Section of the Mid-state Trail (MST). This particular section traverses the mountains north of Rt. 414 heading NE from Blackwell, PA (Canoe Access Area) to Rt.287 near Antrim, PA. (14.91 miles) This is a great section of the MST. |
Click Learn to Interpret My TOPO Files & Maps to download the topic information above in a pdf document.
Learn To Interpret My 5 point Water Table Scale System
This next help file talks about the water table referencing guide that I made up. Water is an essential part of backpacking. If the water levels are low it can make for a much less enjoyable hike. So what I have done is come up with a 5 point scale that I use to rate the water sources along the trail. I also reference my hikes to the USGS - PA Current Stream Flows website, which gives you data for all water gauges in the state of PA. USGS Water's main website, USGS Water's US WaterWatch website. This is a wonderful site to use, but it can be a little difficult to understand and navigate. The 5pt. scale is quite easy to use.
| 5 pt. Rating System for How the Water Was When We Hiked the Trail.. | ||
| Water Level | 5-pt. Scale | |
| Personal Rating System: | Very High - water is abundant, high water crossings possible | 5 - Excellent Water |
| High - water is plentiful, creek crossings taken with care | 4 - Good Water | |
| Medium - water should not be an issue | 3 - Ok Water | |
| Low - water may be scarce at streams and creeks | 2 - Poor Water | |
| Very Low - water is almost nonexistent, filter where possible | 1 - Bad Water | |
| * Use this chart to interpret my water level rating system for each hike or backpacking trip. * | ||
Click Learn to Interpret My 5pt. Water Rating System to download the topic information above in a pdf document.
Garmin Receiver Classes
Garmin has a wide variety of receivers, some better than others. Some are basic and some have all the bells and whistles you could imagine. In this part I will briefly talk about each outdoor series and what they are capable of doing.
- Basic GPSr (no Mapping) - Exactly that, does not contain any map data about the area or any area!
- Includes Topographic Maps - Detailed maps about the land and what's around it
- Includes Saltwater Maps - The topo maps of the ocean!
- Accepts Data Cards - These types are capable of accepting MicroSD or SD Cards to expand their memory capabilities
- High-sensitivity Receivers - A receiver that is capable of receiving deflected signals and weak signals
- Electronic Compass - All have a compass, but not an electronic compass, which means its capable of detecting your bearing even if you are not moving
- Barometric Altimeter - Track barometric pressure and your altitude change
- Geocaching Mode - This type is capable of making your geocaching adventures a little easier
- Paperless Caching - Makes geocaching even easier by allowing you to upload the information about the cache without the use of a palm pilot or paper
- Wireless data Sharing - Exactly that, no cables needed as long as your other receiver and computer are capable of wireless data transfer
- Color Screen - Some are color, some are B&W, some are touchscreen, which one do you want?
- Touchscreen - No explanation needed, you touch the screen so therefore their are no buttons except the on/off button
- Camera - Do you want one capable of taking pictures too and geotagging?
- Floats - Does your GPS need to float because you will be using on the water, all are waterproof using IPX4 specs
- Two-way radio - This type known as the Rhino is not only a GPSr, but also a walkie-talkie
- Tracks Dogs - The Astro allows you to monitor where your dogs are at when you are hunting by placing a receiving color on their neck
Oregon Series
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Dakota Series
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GPSMAP 60 Series
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GPSMAP 62 Series
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GPSMAP 76 Series
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GPSMAP 78 Series
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Rhino Series
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Astro Series
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GTU Series
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eTrex Series
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Foretrex Series
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How Do I Know Which Datum & Format My Map or GPS is in?
To figure out how your map has been setup look over the legend and look to the edges of the map. The USGS Topo! software tells you the datum used in the upper right & lower right-hand corners. It can also generate maps in four formats (3 lat. & long. & UTM). The format markings are along the outer edges of the map & would contain the coordinates.
The USGS maps you purchase at outfitters are 7.5’ topographic maps. You will find (9) 2.5’ blocks on each map. 7.5’ is the distance it covers in both directions using the latitude & longitude grid system. It will also contain the UTM grid system with markings every 1000 meters.
Reading Distance on a Paper Map
Can You Read, Make Out and Interpret distance on a Paper Map?
Yes, you can (to a certain extent) do this by knowing the distance between o (degrees), ' (minutes), " (seconds) or UTM's meters, but the best way is:
- Use the legend to interpret distance along with some sort of straight edge instrument.
- Use a special ruler that is calibrated to read minutes & seconds on a 2.5' x 2.5' grid.
- Use the ruler on your compass (make sure the scale on the map & the compass match)!
- Draw a finer grid on your map (subdivide the map into smaller grids).
- Make sure the grid lines are easy to interpret distance measurements and are easy to read.
- When interpreting distance on a paper map, it takes some knowledge & practice to accurately interpret distance.
- Latitude distance is consistent.
- Longitude distance is not! If you remember from my bulleted information about longitude, as you move north or south away from the equator, the distance between grid lines decreases. The only time both latitude & longitude are the same is at the equator.
What is Declination? How does it relate to Me?
Declination is the difference between magnetic north (the direction your compass points) and true or grid/map north (the direction the map points as north, which is the North Pole). Declination difference will be in degrees and varies depending on what part of the US you live in. Declination can vary up to +18o depending on what part of the US you live in. Here in PA, its roughly 11o W or -11o.
You must know the declination of the area you are in, for example:
- Declination around this area Central PA is roughly 11o W or -11o
- Declination in PA is roughly 8.5o - 12.75o W or -8.5o - -12.75o.
- Since we are to the right of the Magnetic North line we add the declination difference to our compass to get to a certain point on a paper map.
- (Remember East is Least, West is Best!)
* Determining Your Declination – Expressed as either East or West Declination according to your present location of the magnetic North Pole
If your present location is right of the magnetic pole line, it is considered
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If your present location is left of the magnetic pole line; it is considered
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Continental US in a pdf document for download |
North America in a pdf document for download |
East is Least, West is Best – Which means you subtract east declinations and add west declinations to your calculations depending on which side of the magnetic pole line you stand on. The examples below show you how do do this.
| Example #1
Location: Eastern Pennsylvania |
Example #2
Location: Central Montana |
* Most all maps will tell you the declination difference somewhere on the legend, the USGS Topo! software maps declination is located in the lower right corner.
* Declination changes due to the floating magnetic poles. The maps above are current as of 2011.
Vital Things to Take with You on the Trail!
- GPS
- Extra batteries for you GPS receiver
- Paper maps of the area
- State Forest Map or Park Map of the area
- Compass
- Watch
- Altimeter (helps to better estimate your location on the mt. when you do not have a GPS)
- Pedometer (not necessary, but may help you to track your steps)
- Survival Blanket (space blanket)
- Water tablets
- Headlamp
- Strike anywhere matches or Butane Lighter
- Cotton balls dipped in vaseline
- First Aid Kit
- Band aids
- Gauze Pads
- Tick Twister
- Medical tape
- Duct tape
- Benadryl
- Antibiotic cream
- Ibuprofen
- Travel notebook
- Log your adventure
- Notable crossings, ridge lines, valleys, views, terrain, scenery, camps, runs, etc..
- Draw pictures or diagrams if it helps
- Be descriptive
- Record the time you were there
- Know the sunset & sunrise times
- Be aware of the weather and possible elements around that time of year
- Make sure someone knows that you out in the wilderness & your general location
Useful Charts Created by GeoRFLF
Basic Conversions
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USGS Map Scale Conversions Chart
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Map Scale Conversion Excel Document
* measurements were calculated and rounded to the nearest 100th, so they are not exact, but very close.
Latitude & Longitude Distance Conversion Chart
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Latitude & Longitude Distance Conversion Excel Document
Decimal Miles to Kilometers (km), Miles (mi.), Meters (m), Yards (yds). & Feet (ft.) Conversion Chart
.06 miles = 317ft. or 105yds. |
.5 miles = 2,640ft. or 880yds. .6 miles = 3,168ft. or 1,056yds. .7 miles = 3,696ft. or 1,232yds. .75 miles = 3,960ft. or 1,320yds. .8 miles = 4,224ft. or 1,408yds. .9 miles = 4,752ft. or 1,584yds. 1 mile = 5,280ft. or 1,760yds. |
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1 mile = 63,360 inches |
1 mile = 160,900 centimeters 1 mile = 1,609 meters 1 mile = 1.61 kilometers 1 kilometer = .62 miles |
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The above chart in an excel document - feet to mile chart in excel - feet & yards to miles chart in excel - feet, yards & km to miles chart in excel
www.onlineconversions.com is a great website that converts just about anything!
Great Links
Many / Most of the pictures above are links to great software and website's
- Garmin Software
- National Geographic Software
- Learn to Interpret...
- http://www.pahikingtrails.com/faqs.html
- http://www.onlineconversions.com
- Do a search via Google on any topic of interest and I'm sure you will find something interesting.
Questions or Comments?: Please feel free to email me, I would appreciate them, Thanks!
Disclaimer
*Please remember, the information posted on this page and all other pages can & probably will change. I assume no liability for accidents happening to, or injuries sustained by, readers who engage in the activities posted on my entire website including links. Remember, you are responsible for your own actions, please understand conditions on the trail, in the woods or on the river can/will change due to mother nature. Please don’t assume I know all there is about such topics, unfortunately I do not. I am just posting my travels and opinions experienced out in the wilderness. I encourage you to read further and look to reliable resources like the PA Game & Fish Commission and the PA DCNR. Thank You.
