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Digital Snowmobile Closure Data for Uploading Into GPS Units and/or Viewing in Google Earth

 

This site provides digital snowmobile closure data that can be uploaded into GPS units for field use or viewed for trip planning purposes within Google Earth. Below is a list of five maps. When you open these maps you will find “Unit” labels (e.g. “CR010”, “LT010”, etc) within associated closure polygons (areas) and beside any legal access trails that may exist. Alternatively, if you already know the name of the closure and/or legal trail you can refer directly to Table 1 below. The “Unit” number adjacent to the “Area Map” name is a link to the *.gpx file that you need to download to your computer and then to your GPS and/or Google Earth. The “gpx” (or “GPS eXchange”) files are a universal format that allows most GPS mapping software, GPS units (regardless of manufacturer) and Google Earth to read and store the data. In order to use these files on your computer or to store them in your GPS for field use, you’ll need to be familiar with the basic operation of your GPS, its associated computer software, and Google Earth.

“These map are an aid for navigational purposes to avoid legal closed areas.  However it does not show safety or other hazards in the area. Mountain environments are prone to avalanches and other natural hazards. Be trained in avalanche skills, be familiar with local terrain hazards and avalanche conditions, and carry a transceiver, probe and shovel. For more information on avalanche safety, contact the Canadian Avalanche Centre at 1-800-667-1105 or visit www.avalanche.ca/”

Instructions on how to download GPX files to your computer
  1. Click on the desired “Unit” label for the area of interest. A window will open that gives you the choice to “Open” or to “Save” the file. “Save” the file to a location on your computer that you can easily find later (e.g. C:\My Documents\Downloads\).
Instructions on how to upload GPX files to your GPS unit
  1. Open your GPS mapping software on your computer (e.g. Garmin MapSource, Delorme TOPO, Lowrance, Magellan, OziExplorer, PocketMap, Fugawi, etc);
  2. From your mapping software, “Open” the *.gpx file from the location where it was saved. The file should now show within the mapping software on your computer screen;
  3. Transfer (upload) the *.gpx file from the computer mapping software on your computer to your GPS. This process is software specific but typically it uses a “Send to Device” option. The closure track will now be added to any maps already stored in your GPS. It may also show on a track list in your GPS unit.
Instructions on how to view the GPX files in Google Earth
  1. Follow Step 1 above under Instructions on how to download GPX files to your computer;
  2. Open Google Earth. Click on “File” then choose “Open” and a window will open. Be sure to change the file type in the lower right hand corner from “Google Earth” to “GPS” or else you won’t be able to see the *.gpx file you saved. Browse to the location where you saved the *.gpx file;
  3. Click on the *.gpx file and click “Open”. A “Google Earth – GPS Data Import” window will open. Click on “OK” and the file will be shown in Google Earth. If you want to save it for future viewing, move it from the “Temporary Places” folder to the “My Places” folder. If you don’t do this Google Earth will ask you anyway when you try to close the program.
Further Information

Each of the tracks in the *.gpx files is comprised of a maximum of 500 data points (dots that make up the line). This is because many GPS units can only store tracks of a limited number of data points and 500 is a common limit. Newer GPSs can hold tracks with many more data points. If your GPS cannot store tracks of 500 points, your GPS may show a “Track Truncated” message which means that only a portion of the track was uploaded. In order to get the entire track on your GPS, you’ll need to know how to reduce the number of points in the track prior to transferring it to your GPS. Be aware that this will reduce the detail and accuracy of the track.

Some GPS units have a limit on the number of tracks that can be stored. For example, the Garmin GPSMap 76CSx can only hold 20 tracks and each track can only be a maximum of 500 points. If your GPS has a track limit, you’ll need to decide which tracks to upload that cover the areas(s) you wish to ride.

Please be very careful to ensure that you download all of the necessary *.gpx files for the area you wish to ride. For example, some closures allow use along designated legal access trails so make sure that you download the trail *.gpx file as well. Legal trail “Unit” labels all start with “LT” (e.g. LT010). Google Earth has no limitations on the number of tracks that can be added nor does it have a limit on the number of data points that each track can contain. As a result, you can load all of the *.gpx files into Google Earth.

Track colours in Google Earth may not be logical (e.g. closure lines may be Blue instead of Red). You can change this in Goggle Earth if you wish by right clicking on the track and choosing “Properties” and then “Style/Colour”.

Maps with Unit Labels

Table 1: Unit labels and names for associated closure polygons (areas) and legal access trails.