Are you riding with trail apps?
Trail apps can help you explore the world by allowing you to adventure without the fear of getting lost. With a good GIS map of the area, you can choose a destination for the day’s ride and hit the trail exploring all that is open to horses. Trail apps can help emergency responders identify your exact location. They can let friends and family know if your movement has stopped for an extended amount of time. Mapping apps can be used by volunteers looking to designate or reroute trail. Riders use them to track mileage while participating in trail challenges. There are many reasons to get comfortable with using apps while enjoying our trails.
What3words?
Everyone should have this app on their phone and use it in case of emergency. What3words has divided the world into a 10ft square, each with a unique 3 word phrase which tells first responders how to locate you in an emergency. For our parks and forests, many of which do not have addresses, this can help send first responders your way quickly and precisely. Even if an address does exist, that still will not tell them where you are if you’re out on the trail when an emergency happens. Call first responders and give them your unique three words so they can find your exact location in case of an emergency. App Info
DNR GIS Maps
For the DNR horseback riding trails, go to Horseback Riding and click on View Interactive Equestrian Map. This will show the designated equestrian trails for the state. On the top right side of the screen, click through the symbols to find all of the options. You can pull up the map legend. For the layer list you can add layers to the map, you can add all non-motorized and motorized trails and roads. For areas like Headquarters Lake, this will give you the best and most detailed map for the area so you can have great rides. For any items on the Layer List that are grayed out, zoom in on the map and those will become active. After you layer your map, you can use the Base Map Tool to choose which type of imagery you’d like for your map. And then you can use the print button to create your pdf map that will work with apps like Avenza and Maprika. Just save that file and upload it into your app. Please note too that you can share your trail photos through the about icon (first one), let’s fill the map with some gorgeous trail riding photos. Remember too, all of the current DNR trail maps are geo referenced so you can use them with the map apps.
USFS GIS Map
Click here to use the USFS Maps. Many of their maps are available georeferenced on the Avenza app. The Hiawatha National Forest map on Avenza is the best way to have great rides on the horse trails and more in the HNF, at Pine Marten Run, Bay de Noc Grand Island and much more.
Apps
MI-TRALE app, search Michigan UP Trails on iphone and android