Apr 22, 2022
The Rich’Ter checking the map for tomorrow’s MTN bike ride. North Rim of the Grand Canyon camp ground. Olympus Stylus Epic. Kodak Royal Gold 200. NIK
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The Rich’Ter checking the map for tomorrow’s MTN bike ride. North Rim of the Grand Canyon camp ground. Olympus Stylus Epic. Kodak Royal Gold 200. NIK
These Apps Will Help Keep You From Getting Lost in the Outdoors
These Apps Will Help Keep You From Getting Lost in the Outdoors
Ah, the great outdoors. The flora, the fauna, the welcome mystery of the open trail stretched before you. You’ve left it all behind (no cell service, no problems!) until … Wait. Where’s the map? Did you mean to turn left back there? What direction is the campsite anyway? Is it starting to get dark? Don’t lose yourself out there.
Every outdoor explorer needs AllTrails on their phone. The app…
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Detail of the Slide Bluffs, CA USGS topo map. It shows 2 trails that cross the Middle Fork of the Kings river and one that climbs up to Granite Pass. I followed the trail toward the Granite Pass junction. There was no evident trail, so I climbed the Granite Pass Trail, expecting to find a junction to the river crossing, but the switchbacks just got steeper. I walked back down into Simpson Meadow, studied the map, then hiked to Dougherty Creek which I followed down to the River. This is where I found the remnants of the old Simpson Meadow bridge. I crossed here. Once I crossed the river I found the Middle Fork of the Kings River Trail and walked through beautiful country. Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, Sierra Nevada Mountains, SEKI, California, USA. Photo by Van Miller
An old topographic map of my stomping grounds dated back to 1909. I could sit and look at old maps like these for hours. There’s a LOT of history in this particular area. The most notable of which is probably The Battle of Franklin that took place during the Civil War. It more or less took place within the entire area depicted on this map.
During World War II, my grandfather headed up the team that invented and created the very first relief maps. Made up of mostly artists, these teams hand painted the maps as a way for naval gunners to understand topography. This one was a gift to my grandfather at the end of the war as a tribute to his service.
Note that Mount Fugi is a little worn as 2 generations of kids liked to poke it….