Google Topo Maps of Desolation Wilderness
photo by: Steve Wilhelm
I’m working on finding some good hikes to do while I’m out in California. I was originally considering Rubicon Lake based on the image above, but in trying to track down the lake and trail, I searched Google Maps seeing that they’ve got a lot of lakes’ names in the system. It had no trouble finding the lake, but what I then stumbled upon was the “Terrain” view of the area which created the topographic map you see below.
I suggest clicking through to the map and zooming and panning to see the detail the maps hold.
Earlier in my search, I was looking for iPhone apps that presented something on par with the USGS maps I love. For the longest time I had the topo map of Desolation Wilderness on my wall, and put tons of time into studying it. Ideally with Google Maps having data this rich, it could be possible to skip the apps and just run things straight from Google’s servers. What are the chances though of having connectivity that far out in the woods? Earlier this year Gavin Bate strove to send the first tweet from the top of Mt. Everest, but he was connected through a satellite phone. Cell phones work all over ski resorts, but I’m assuming that without simple trial and error, I’m not going to know how easy it is to connect during various hikes.
The teaser is that GPS on the iPhone will work without a cellular or wifi connection. I’ve heard chatter of people using GPS tied to 3rd party apps while the iPhone’s Airplane Mode was turned on. Close, but for the time being, I don’t know that I could make this happen without an investment in one of the available 3rd party apps.
Jordan Hardy wrote,
You will not have reception out in desolation. I can almost guarantee this. Cell phone reception is sketchy even in the Tahoe basin. However, with the iPhone’s gps capability outside of cell phone range you should be able to use a good topo 3rd party app. I’ve done this with a map of Africa and it worked wonders. I’ve been told that tt4software maps of the lake tahoe basin is the app to get for backpacking. Just search “tt4software” in the app store and it should be the first hit. Good luck.
Link | July 18th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Christian wrote,
I have backpacked and explored Desolation many, many times and have a good working knowledge of the wilderness. The photo you posted above is actually not Rubicon, but Grouse which is a little more difficult to get to because of an unmaintained spur trail off the Tahoe-Yosemite trail. The shot was taken from near Phipps Pass. I suggest getting a trail map and departing from the Meeks Bay trailhead (you will need a wilderness permit to camp) and, if you can, make a through hike of it down to one of several locations, Eagle Falls being the most obvious and most popular choice…though I prefer the Bayview trail if I have to leave a car at the trailhead. If you leave from Meeks Bay make sure to stick to the trail (which is marked) .3 miles in…from there on in the trail is very clear and easy to follow. Disclaimer that it is at your own risk…but I’ve backpacked solo in this area of Desolation many times and is a wonderful and relaxing area. Many lakes on this trail.
Link | January 5th, 2012 at 2:01 pm