GPS and Coordinates Used

With the increase in use of handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) units over the past decade, the outdoors has finally been tamed. Well, not really, but GPS has made it much safer and more accessible than ever before.

Trail directions are no longer ambiguous. Gone are the directions like, “take a left at the strange looking boulder.” With a GPS unit, outdoor enthusiasts can plot exact locations of trails, points of interest and significant intersections. And then share these waypoints with others. This has opened up hundreds of previously difficult to find and navigate trail to anyone with a GPS.

Can you still get lost? Sure. But usually not for long. It can be difficult to document complex intersections and I’ve taken the wrong road for almost a mile before realizing my mistake. The great thing about GPS units is that you should always be able to get back to your starting point (given you input the waypoint into your GPS).

I have found my Magellan (Garmin’s are great too) to be probably the best $200 piece of equipment I’ve ever spent for exploring the outdoors. If you don’t have a GPS unit that has the ability to use topo maps, get one. Now. You’ll probably be kicking yourself that you didn’t do it sooner.

I use my GPS unit and computer topo software to preplan trips. I can take GPS coordinates from books or websites and enter them into my topo software. Then I plot my desired route. Then I look for other possible points of interest, roads, natural features that are near my route and input those waypoints. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found interesting places by doing this.

My GPS comes with my on all my new adventures where I follow the waypoints I’ve placed along the route. This way I don’t have to worry about taking wrong turns and ensure I’m going where I planned to go. If I want to find my way back to the starting point, all I have to do is follow the waypoints like breadcrumbs.

If I do find other interesting points that I haven’t already plotted, I create a waypoint on the fly. Examples of this have been awesome camping spots, waterfalls, caves, and ruins. When I get home, I document the trail and the new waypoints. That way, I can always find them again. And I can share these with others.

It is my intent to use WGS84 coordinates whenever possible. Some of the sources referenced do not specify units used. Therefore, there might be some mixing of coordinate systems within these blogs. That’s the bad news. The good news: For most 4WD, hiking and biking uses, you can mix WGS84 and NAD27 coordinate systems without any problems. What I’ve noticed is that these are off by a few hundred yards at most. You will still find you’re able to negotiate the turns and find points of interest shown without any difficulties.

Where a variation in coordinate systems can make a BIG difference is if you are Geocaching (trying to find a small cache of goodies) where errors of thirty feet can take you from success to failure. For most of our purposes, it doesn’t matter if you enter NAD27 coordinates while your GPS is set to WGS84.

Have fun and be safe!

Arizona Adventurer

TREAD Lightly

We believe that it is essential for all outdoor enthusiasts to have a good understanding of backcountry ethics and to always exercise proper etiquette when enjoying the outdoors. It is of utmost importance because of the many threats to continued open access to the Arizona backcountry. Private property issues have closed access to many areas. Lack of proper funding for trail maintenance and law enforcement may prompt regulatory agencies to close access to environmentally sensitive and heavily impacted areas. There are extreme environmental groups that seek to block vehicle access to many backcountry areas. Please keep this in mind when enjoying the Arizona backcountry.

Here are some general guidelines:

- Stay on the trail. Resist the urge to blaze new ones.
- Drive carefully through soft and wet trails.
- Obey gate closure signs.
- Preserve the integrity of historical ruins by not disturbing the area.
- Carry out all your trash and even that of others.
- Leave wild animals and livestock alone.

We invite you to take a few minutes to remind yourself of the Tread Lightly! principles before venturing into the backcountry: http://www.treadlightly.org/ .

State Trust Land Permits

To legally travel on state trust land (whether by motor vehicle, bike, horse or on foot), a State Trust Land Permit is required. Individuals visiting state trust lands without a valid permit may be fined. State Trust Land Permits can be obtained through the Arizona State Land Department website: http:/www.land.state.az.us/. Permits cost $50 for individuals and $75 for families and are valid for one year. Many of our favorite mountain biking trails are on state trust land. Access to numerous four-wheel-drive trails crosses state trust land en route to federal lands. Sometimes the boundary between state and federal lands is not well marked, so it is a good idea to have a State Trust Land Permit and to carry it at all times unless you are certain that you are not on state trust land.

Have fun and be safe!

Arizona Adventurer

Safety

I always recommend hiking, biking and four-wheeling with a buddy. When you’re four-wheeling, this means someone in another vehicle, not just a friend riding along in yours.

Arizona can be hot and dry. Bring LOTS of water. Too much water is always better than not enough. If you expect to be out 3 hours, bring water for 6. If you expect a fun day of four-wheeling, bring enough water for the night and part of the next day, just in case something happens.

The old cliché, it’s better to be safe than sorry, truly applies here.

Tell people at home where you are going, when you think you’ll be back, when they should get worried, what channel your handheld (or CB) radio will be on. If you can, leave them copies of maps and GPS coordinates of your planned adventure.

Do not attempt any adventure that you or your vehicle are not capable of. Use other forms of research to ensure the information provided here is still accurate because conditions and laws can rapidly change without our knowledge.

Some recommended safety equipment:
Water/food/power bars
GPS
Maps
Cell phone
Family or CB radio
Sunscreen
Rain gear

If you are four-wheeling:
Jack (hilift recommended)
Shovel
Blanket
Tow strap
Spare tire(s)
Flashlights
Tools
Emergency food
Binoculars
Whistle
Fire extinguisher
Winch


If you have the Backcountry Adventures Arizona book, they go in great detail about four-wheeling skills and safety.

As said in the disclaimer, you are responsible for your safety and those with you. The authors of this blog are in no way responsible.

Have fun and be safe!

Arizona Adventurer

Disclaimer

Experience Arizona Disclaimer

All of the activities that follow are potentially dangerous. Failure to understand the risks involved and take proper precautions could result in serious injury or death. We take no responsibility for your safety if you decide to attempt the adventures described herein – try them at your own risk!

Although all team authors in this blog do the best of their ability to provide honest, valid and accurate information, no one associated with this blog shall be responsible for any information, comments, pictures, maps, legal issues, etc. contained within this blog.

Trail conditions, property lines, fees, permits and laws continuously change and we do not claim to have a complete understanding of all these things.

It is ultimately the responsibility of the end user (you) to verify trail conditions, property lines, fees, permits, laws and anything else associated with experiencing Arizona.

You need to ensure you, your bike or your vehicle is in proper shape before exploring any of the trails listed within this blog. Trail conditions change. What could have been an easy trail when the trail was posted, may become a impassable trail due to heavy rains.

You are responsible for only attempting what is within your capability. You are responsible for all safety and communication equipment. Please see our section on safety equipment, but again, this may not be a complete list. You are ultimately responsible.

Mileages provided are approximate and may be taken from different vehicles and GPS units. As such, they can vary greatly.

The bottom line: You are responsible for your own safety and welfare and that of your equipment and those with you. Not us. If you do not agree with this, do not attempt any of these adventures.

That said, I hope to meet all of you on one of these exciting adventures while you’re experiencing Arizona.

Have fun and be safe!

Arizona Adventurer