Trail and Map information

Step-by-Step Help & Info Page

How to use the Trail Menus and Features:

Trail Info (Top of page - main menu item) 

Map Overview of British Columbia Trailheads

• This is the main page of the trail information section.
• It consists of the menus, a Google Earth map with trailhead markers, and an alphabetical list of trailheads
• Clicking on a trailhead in the list centers the map on that trailhead and opens an information bubble about that trailhead.
• Clicking on the "MORE INFO" link in the information bubble takes you to the trail information listing for that trail.
  
• On the upper left of the map are zoom controls, sliding the slider up or clicking the + sign gives you a closer look.
• At the upper right of the map, you have a choice between map, satellite, and hybrid views. The default is hybrid.
  
• Some areas of B.C. have much higher definition satellite photos than others. Try zooming in very tightly on the Cultus Lake trailhead, you will be able to see the yellow line in the middle of the road.
  

Trail Information Listings

• Nearest Community: Listed so that trails are searchable by community or city.
• Lat/Long @ Trailhead: Can be typed in to your GPS
• Printable Map: If a link is present, it names the map and takes you to the download area where you can find it on an aphabetical list. Most of the maps are .pdf files, which print more reliably than a webpage. You will need the free Adobe Reader program installed on your computer for this to work. If you don't already have it, you can download it by clicking HERE.
• GPS Data: If a link is present, it names the file and takes you to the download area where you can find it on an aphabetical list. The files listed are tracks and waypoints that you can upload to your GPS. The GPS.txt file contains supplemental information about the waypoints and routes. It is intended to be printed and carried while on the trail. Files with a .map, .wpt, .plt, or .rte extension require the Oziexplorer mapping program or the free GPS Utility or GPS Trackmaker programs. Files with a .mps extension require Garmin Mapsource software in order to upload to your GPS. The files can be downloaded to your computer by clicking on the file, then clicking on "save" in the pop-up dialogue box. In the next pop-up dialogue box, select the location (folder) on your computer where you would like the file to be downloaded, then click the "save" button. The file should now download to your computer at the location you selected. Check the help section in your GPS software program for instructions to upload the file to your GPS.
• Photo Gallery: If a link is present, it takes you to the photo gallery for that trail.
• Video: You may be asked to allow the installation of the Adobe Flash video player the first time you view a video. It is safe to allow this installation. If your internet connection is too slow, you may have a problems with jerky stop/start video. To work around this, click on the pause button (lower left) and wait awhile. This will allow the grey "download" progess bar to get ahead of the black "play" progress bar. Note* - if you are on a dial-up connection, you probably will not be able to view the video.
  
• Google Earth map: You must have Google Earth installed on your computer to use this feature. (Google Earth is available free at http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html ). Click on the hyperlink and choose "open" from the dialogue box. Google Earth will start and display the trail map overlaid onto the Google satellite imagery. Note* - this may work VERY slowly or not at all on a dial-up connection.

Write a comment or update - at the bottom of each trail listing is an area for you to contribute new or missing information, or ask a question about this trail. After you submit your comment, the webmaster recieves an email notification. He then looks over your submission and approves it, after which it will appear on the site.

Download Trail Maps & Data Files

• Takes you directly to the download area for maps and GPS data files.

Help & Information

• This page.
  

  ---

Search

• Click on the word "search..." and begin typing any word which you think is relevant to your search. Try to use words which are less common. eg. type "Cultus" when searching for "Cultus Lake Trail" rather than typing "Lake" or "Trail".
  
• Case is not relevant when searching, use whichever case you prefer.
• When you have typed 3 letters, the search will begin, and a results window will appear. Keep typing to narrow your results. Typing more than 1 word will find items which contain all the words you typed somewhere in the item (but not neccesarily as a phrase)
  
• When you see the item you want in the results window, click on it.
  
• Or click on the ADVANCED SEARCH button for more options and a full page of results. (Instead of just a window)

  ---

 Login

• You only need to login if you plan to add information, make a comment, etc. All information, data and other features are available without login. In other words, you can see and access everything without login, but you can't add or change anything. 

  ---

Menu - Upload New Trails (Visible only after Login)

Submit a Trail (Simple format)

• The easiest way to contribute trail information about new trails. Allows text and 1 or 2 attached photos. Very easy to use and self explanatory.
  
• After you submit your trail. the webmaster recieves an email notification. He then looks over your submission and approves it, after which it will appear on the site.

Submit a Trail (Advanced format)

• This format works like a mini word processor. It uses the JCE WYSIWYG editor for Joomla.
  
• You can upload photos from your computer and add them to the trail page you create.
• Please upload photos to the "TrailMaps" folder.
  
• Please notify the webmaster after you have completed a new trail page. It will then be reviewed and published.

Submit Trailhead for Overview Map

• This form will add a marker to the Google Trail overview map.
• You will need the Lat/Long coordinates of the trailhead.
• Enter the coordinates in degrees, not degrees/minutes/seconds. Eg. 49.035391 not 49 02 07.4
• Use a minus sign in front of the longitude entry eg. -121.1234 This denotes W longitude. Otherwise your marker will appear as E longitude, on the other side of the globe.
• You may enter the nearest city or community if available.
  
• Enter any useful or descriptive text in the "Description or other text" area.
  

Upload Trail Data Files (Maps, GPS)

• This is the main download/upload area.
• Upload maps to the Trail Maps section, GPS files to the Trail GPS Data section.
• Please zip GPS files into a package, and provide a description.
• Please do not upload photos here. Log in and create a new Photo Gallery instead.
  
• You may also upload other documents such as Trail information or listings you have created on your computer. The webmaster will transfer/move/edit this information so that it is added to the site. Please put these in the "Upload Other Trail Documents" section.
  

Upload Trail Photos to Gallery

• Log in and create a new Photo Gallery for your trail photos.
• If the gallery you create is of an existing trail, the webmaster will link to it from the trail's information listing.