Gaia GPS

by Hal March 

The Gaia GPS app is free for download and use (at the basic level) for Apple IOS and  Android. 
It offers 3 levels:
 1. Basic user: free for 1 year. 
2. Membership: 1 year $20.00 ($17.00 if join on Gaia website) or 5 years for $100.00 ($60 on the website) 
3. Premium Membership: 1 year for $40.00 ($36.00 on website) 5 years for $200.00 ($160.00 on website)  

At the free level, downloading the app gives you the default Gaia Worldwide Topo, a color map which looks quite like a USGS  Topo. It’s quite detailed, with contour lines, elevations, place names and so on. With this basic map you will be able to find your location, set a waypoint, plan a route, track your progress and take pictures at points on the way which will be added to your track. (On a mobile phone Gaia doesn’t need internet - cellular or WiFi - to profile GPS data to the app.) 

I chose the Gaia “Membership” to access all the maps they offer only at the Membership level or above. These maps, downloadable for offline use and printable for Membership, include USGS Topo, Satellite  Topo, Outdoors Topo (hiking trails), Historic Topo 1930, Historic Topo 1900, Canada Topo and many others. The Premier Level offers hundreds more, but most of these (except the National Geographic Trail Illustrated Map) were maps that I didn’t expect to use, so I downloaded the app on my iPhone and paid the $17.00. This means I never tried to use the app at the Free level, but I think most of the main functions are the same. (If you’re unsure about paying for a higher level, Gaia will let you take a free trial.)
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The app has many settings and options, some not readily apparent. Using instructional articles and videos on their  website and elsewhere, I’ve learned how to set a starting point, show my location and direction on the map, set waypoints, track my progress along trails and crazy (but virus free) bushwhacks. Gaia will also keep track of distance, elevation gain and so on. After finishing, you have the option of saving the trip, and - if you want - moving it into a folder. A nice bonus with Gaia GPS is the ability to let others share your routes or tracks. Another big plus is family members are free to use the app if they sign in with your ID. 
I’m having fun using this app, and it’s saved my bacon more than once!