Spinnin' Fours 4x4 Club of Southern California

The directions for loading the maps, and the links to the maps I use came from here:

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/h ... -gps-unit/

They vary from state-to-state, but for Utah they are very detailed and accurate. Most, if not all, of the roads and trails we took last year were already on this map set. Here is a link to the Utah map. http://www.miscjunk.org/mj/mp_uttopo.html

The maps I created were done in the Garmin MapSource software using these Utah maps and the actual track data from our trips.

The California map set is also very good and very detailed.

These maps are public domain.

The Nuvi's, from what I have seen, are more of a "route" GPS than a "track" GPS. The "route" is more like a head's up display, with a turn by turn, looking forward, view. The "track" is an overhead view. I prefer the "track" way of navigating. It leaves or follows "breadcrumbs" and is more natural for me in an off-road situation. It is also what is used by Desert Racers on their Lowrance Baja series GPS', so that is what I need to work on the KOH courses. My GPS is a Garmin 60CSX.

I can send you the "track" data from last year's trip. You may be able to put that on the Nuvi, or convert it to a "route". I do not know. Maybe the Nuvi's can also be used in a 'track" format display?

Thanks for the map download information-I have Garmin MapSource and will try to download them onto my Desktop. My older Nuvi 250 does have a 'breadcrumb' feature-been a while so have to puzzle out how to activate it again. Not sure if my newer 2370 has that feature-still learning its capabilities. Both have an 'overhead' (track) or a '3-D' mode view which simulates looking forward..
I found a few YouTube videos of Jeeps and other 4x4s running the Devils Racetrack-as I recall at least one video was shot this year. No mention of the 'Gatekeeper' we ran into on the South end? Trail appeared easy with a few ledges and stairsteps-nothing that would stop a wide Jeep from completing the trail-plan to revisit it in October...
Appreciate any suggestions you have of other trails? Read an interesting trail description of the Lucky Strike Mine South of I-70 near Temple Mountain Road and Red Canyon-couldn't find it on my maps.

From the BLM "San Rafael Swell Motorized Route Designations" map:

Lucky Strike Mine, Point of Interest (POI) 38, Map Location 9-D. This is on my list of places to explore. Go down EM1019, Reds Canyon and finish up at Tomsich Butte, POI 23, 9-D. There are a bunch of mining ruins there and a great view of Hondu Arch. Go back to camp via the smoother and more direct EM1012.

Hidden Splendor Mine, POI 29, 11-D. This is a long haul down to the southern Swell, but is worth it in my opinion. It is very scenic all the way. I did not see much in the way of mining ruins that were easily accessible. The road is pretty good most of the way, so it is not as far as it seems, time wise. Could be combined with Lucky Strike Mine/Tomsich Butte, but that would be a very long day.

Goblin Valley State Park, POI 31, 11-F. Only about an hour from camp via EM1012 (quicker than taking the highway!).

Little Wild Horse-Bell Canyon, POI 30, 10-E. While you are in the Goblin Valley area, If you want to experience some great slot canyons that do not involve too much hiking, but some scrambling, check this out.

On my list of places to check out. Search for these and you will find some great pictures:

Temple Mountain, POI 25, 9-F. From what I have researched, the best mining stuff is north of POI 25, around Temple Mountain.

Copper Globe Mine, POI 21, 8-D. This looks to be a great mine ruin area with other side trips in the vicinity.

Thanks for the trail suggestions-I plan to check most if not all of them depending on how much time we have....

I was checking Weatherunderground.com (my new favorite weather site) and found out that there are 2 weather stations right on I-70 just a few miles from camp. These provide current conditions and a wealth of past weather data.

The closest is Rattlesnake Bench: http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstat ... sp?ID=MRTB

The other is Ghost Rocks: http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstat ... sp?ID=MGHO

Both are at Utah DOT locations.

Attached is a Google Earth .kml file with waypoints for both weather stations.

Also, Price, UT, is probably as close as you will get for forecasts. http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/fin ... 01.1.99999

.....and?