Have you been looking for a map of an area that you want to visit or just check out for a weekend ride in your Side x Side but can not find one? Here is some help. Make your own map using Google Earth and free downloadable topographical maps.

 

What you need:

 

Google Earth (Free Download)

 

A good Paint or Image Software. I use Paint.Net (Free Download)

 

Topo Maps from USGS (Free Downloads) If you have some other software for topographical maps so much the better but the maps from USGS are not to bad.

 

Getting Started:

 

The first thing to do is zoom to the area you want on Google Earth. Study the area to get an idea of the map you want to make. You will notice that the more zoom the better the trails will show up but you will lose the full area of the map you want. Now here is a suggestion. After you have found a trail or trails click on the ruler icon then click on path.

Here you can draw on the image to mark the trail. Zoom in and start marking and you will see that google will show the miles as you draw. When you finish drawing zoom out to a point that shows the whole trail. Note: This may take you a little practice.

 

Now you want to copy your map to your paint software. Click on Edit then Copy Image. Open your Paint software and paste the map to it. Now you are ready to edit your map. You can mark the trail in any color you like, insert text and resize the image. It is totally up to you how much detail you want to add to your map. I use Topo maps that I have downloaded to mark elevations and names of canyons, draws, springs, or anything of interest I want on my map. Now save and name your map. I always save my maps to my desktop until I’m finished with them.

 

Below are some maps I have made of a ride in Northwestern Utah.

 

That’s it. Happy Map Making.

 

If this was helpful, please leave a comment. Also if you need some help please contact me at gbracken@live.com  subject: Map Making.