Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

It's time to buy a GPS. Over the past decade GPS technology has progressed to the point that there is no excuse for being lost. Thats assuming you understand how to operate the unit.

We are not going to tell you how to use a GPS, but we do recommend 3 things to use it properly:

compass Garmin GPS

Compass

Required to find north and follow an azimuth provided by the GPS.

GPS Receiver

Provides azimuth and distance between two points. Displays current location.

Map

A map with co-ordinates on the edges to plot your current location provided by the GPS

 

GPS data can be uploaded to a GPS receiver and used in the field. Waypoints are used for navigation to a specific geographical point on earth. Tracks and routes are used for navigation through a series of ordered points along a line. This data can be uploaded to a GPS receiver and displayed on the screen. A route can be planned on a map, uploaded to a GPS receiver, and displayed for the user on the screen. This provides a visual reference for the location of the user in reference to the waypoints or route planned on a map. For example, If you were planning to hike a trail through a mountain pass following specific terrain and elevation changes, this may be easy to determine on a map but difficult in the field. You could plan the route on the map and upload it to the GPS. Once in the field the GPS will navigate you along this path using an azimuth and distance. This information is also displayed on the screen showing your current location along the route.

Bighorn Backcountry GPS Trails

Using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) AlbertaWestCountry.com is collecting trail information for West Central Alberta. This information can be used in combination with a GPS unit to navigate and explore many areas of Alberta.

To transfer data to a GPS Receiver download Oziexplorer. Or open the Google Earth file.

See all of these trails on the Alberta Trail Map, or download individual trails here:

Alberta GPS Trails
File
Oziexplorer
Google Earth
Canary Creek Trail canary_creek.plt canary_creek.kml
Clearwater Trail clearwater_trail.plt clearwater_trail.kml
Cline River Trail cline_river_trail.plt cline_river_trail.kml
Coral Creek Trail coral_creek_trail.plt coral_creek_trail.kml
Falls Fire Tower Trail falls_fire_tower_trail.plt falls_fire_tower_trail.kml
Farley Lake Trail farley_lake_trail.plt farley_lake_trail.kml
Forestry Trunk Road forestry_trunk_road.plt forestry_trunk_road.kml
Glacier Trail glacier_trail.plt glacier_trail.kml
Hummingbird Creek Trail hummingbird_creek.plt hummingbird_creek.kml
Hummingbird Road (Onion Lake Road) hummingbird_road.plt hummingbird_road.kml
Indian Head Cabin Trail indian_head_trail.plt indian_head_trail.kml
Landslide Lake landslide_lake_trail.plt landslide_lake_trail.kml
Lost Guide Lake Trail lost_guide_lake_trail.plt lost_guide_lake_trail.kml
Monument Valley monument_valley.plt monument_valley.kml
Onion Lake Trail onion_lake_trail.plt onion_lake_trail.kml
Ranger Creek Trail ranger_creek_trail.plt ranger_creek_trail.kml
Ranger Divide Trail ranger_divide_trail.plt ranger_divide_trail.kml
Ruby Falls Trail ruby_falls.plt ruby_falls.kml
Ruby Falls Vehicle Access ruby_falls_vehicle_access.plt ruby_falls_vehicle_access.kml
Shoe Leather Creek Trail shoe_leather_crekk_trail.plt shoe_leather_creek_trail.kml
Siffleur Falls Trail siffleur_falls_trail.plt siffleur_falls_trail.kml
South Ram River Trail south_ram_river_trail.plt south_ram_river_trail.kml
South Ram River Viewpoint south_ram_river_viewpoint.plt south_ram_river_viewpoint.kml
Wandering Creek Trail Loop wandering_creek_loop.plt wandering_creek_loop.kml