Doing GPS: 102 - "Making a Map"

For over 8 months I've been working on a "Master File" for Nevada. The Western Region is nearly complete with tracks and waypoints for a lot of ATV trails to abandoned mines, canyons, mountain hideaways and great rides. I'll let you know when it's posted and ready for download. [ed note: it's already here]

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”
Samuel Clemmens (Mark Twain)

It has taken so long because of the number of trails and because I've needed to correct many erroneous waypoints which were published in the book. You can't fault them too much because, as you know, GPS units are greatly affected by mountains and other obstructions.

You get back home after a ride and find that all the nifty petroglyphs you so carefully marked are scattered all over three states due to the GPS loosing its bearings down in the canyon — bummer.

Today, as I was coding the very last trail, I realized that it was the shortest of the bunch — only two points; and that it would make a great piece to use for a video tutorial.

Many times I've been asked how I created all the Google Earth maps on the web site from paper maps, brochures, books and other phamplets. It's not all that difficult. So I thought I'd show you how.

We'll take the Allum Creek Canyon Trail, plot its two waypoints, create a folder to put them in and generate a "view" so that GE can display them to you. We'll also hand draw the trail connecting all the waypoints, label them correctly, set the display icon's — and generate the .kml map file.

For good measure I'll give you a peek inside the file so you can see what does all that fancy stuff. In about 20 spell-binding minutes you'll be a GE guru. So, let's get started. [Remember, you can select the "full screen" icon - it's a lot better]

Overview

• Open Google Earth and create a folder (by R-clicking in My Places) to hold your map.
• Type in the coordinates for your waypoints (in order) in the "fly to:" box.
• Once all created, move them (by L-click and dragging) into your map folder from top to bottom
• Turn on the display for all the waypoints, zoom out, and "display" them as you want the trail to look
• Highlight the folder, R-click and choose "properties". Enter "View" tab and click "snapshot current view."
• Highlight, R-click, and modify the properties (label, icon, scale) of all the waypoints as you desire.
• Reset the screen view to "north-up" and flat; then, highlight the folder again and click the "add trail" button.
• L-Click on points along the trail to draw lines using the zoom and keyboard navigation arrows as needed to keep the satellite image of the trail in view on the screen.
• Click "ok" when finished and then use the above property modification technique to make the line the color and thickness you want it.
• Highlight the folder again, R-click and "save as" a .kml file.

How was that? If you have any questions or comments please leave a comment on the web. I'd also like to see any maps that you make of your favorite trails. Share them with others and we'll all benefit.