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Old 01-29-2014, 01:18 PM   #1
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Trip Planning tools

I was going post specifically about something I'm looking for, but maybe a broader discussion topic is better, about any trip planning tools you might use.

For instance, if staying in developed campgrounds, I'll frequently use CampsitePhotos.com to look at pictures of specific campsites to pick which one I like best. If I am going to hit a RV Park (rarely my first choice but bathroom and laundry facilities are welcome at least once on a 2 week trip) I'll look at reviews on GoodSamClub.com

What I was looking for though, is some online map site that shows elevation profiles of various highways. I'm planning my Summer roadtrip with my son, and I'm planning on hitting Yosemite, and then take the back way to 395 and on to Oregon. Haven't taken that route in ages, so it got me wondering about the literal ups and downs of the route, and if hauling a trailer on that route is a OK idea, or a dumb idea.

Tentative plans are to dig for Sunstones (near Plush, OR), and maybe obsidian (Glass Butte, OR).


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Old 01-30-2014, 07:44 PM   #2
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Re: Trip Planning tools

I wrote about it in the gadgets forum, but I love Mr. Modesitt's apps for Macs and iOS, like the Ultimate campground Guide. He just posted that he has a road trip planner, check it out. I also like the Benchmark atlases for this sort of thing. Dunno about road slope profiles, but there is Google Earth. And just looking at street view of 395, etc should help.
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Old 01-30-2014, 08:18 PM   #3
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Re: Trip Planning tools

Quote:
Originally Posted by rob_gendreau
... but there is Google Earth. And just looking at street view of 395, etc should help.
From what I've found Google Earth only does point-to-point elevation profiles, not along any roads or trails. For some reason, Google doesn't seem to have much cross functionality between Maps and Earth. You can view a Google Map route on top of a Google Earth overlay while in Maps, but then you don't get the elevation profile capability.

There is also a terrain view in Google Maps which gives you some sense of elevation change. If Google is listening, I want to develop a route in Maps, be able to import it into Earth, and then use the elevation profile to view the route in Earth.


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Old 01-30-2014, 09:23 PM   #4
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Re: Trip Planning tools

You might want to check out Garmin Base Camp. You can load the Garmin maps into it for the elevation profiles. Base Camp is free but you have to buy the topo maps. I have the 1:100,000 map for the US. But you can also buy 1:24,000 maps for different regions of the country.

Another possibility, if you can find it, is the Topo program from National Geographic. It used digitized USGS maps. My version for Oregon and Washington is from 2006 and is a bit flaky with the newer OS and hardware but I can get what I need out of it.
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Old 08-14-2014, 12:27 PM   #5
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Re: Trip Planning tools

I just wanted to follow up on this thread that I did find a fairly useful app called Elevation Profile, where you can get an elevation profile. It connects two points you enter and you select Driving, Bicycling or Walking and the app then selects the most appropriate route.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... file&hl=en

I found it useful for comparing road routes when planning for a trip where I was towing and wanted to keep the grade to reasonable level.


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