I make maps/navigation software for a living. I'm working on a project to create a really nice GPX track for the Rubicon, that I'll share when completed.

I've read Del's page, seen existing GPX tracks, but still have a few gaps in my knowledge. Would you guys be able to help me out with some additional information?

I want to make sure the map ...
- isn't missing any obstacles
- has good ratings (easy, intermediate, difficult) for each obstacle
- has the primary trail mapped
- has bypasses mapped (and rated)
- has bypasses of bypasses mapped (and rated)

Obstacles (need ratings - Based on Del's 31" tire SWB, and 33" tire LWB reqs)
------------------------------
Post Pile ? Don't have a lat/lon, but saw it mentioned on delalbright.com
Walker Hill (Rock?)
Little Sluice (with bypass)
Old Sluice Box
Chappie Rock ? Don't have a lat/lon, but saw it mentioned on delalbright.com
Big Sluice
Cadillac Hill
Dollar Hole

Points of interest
----------------------------------
Bridge across the Rubicon River
Rubicon/Soda Springs
Observation Point
Buck Island Dam and Lake - Obstacle?
Spider Lake
Miller Meadows
McKinney Lake
Miller Lake
Richardson Lake

When completed I'll put up a GPX track, and a set of topo maps with the trail for anyone to use. E.g. something along the lines of this map, only w/o the GPS interface and w/ correct obstacle ratings.

http://spatialminds.com/images/rubicon_snap2.jpg

I sent you an email about Devil's Post pile.

Thanks Ken. I just replied.

Craig

Anyone have any suggestions on how to rate these obstacles based on 31" SWB or 33" LWB and a rear locker?
------------------------------
Post Pile
Walker's Hill
Little Sluice
Little Sluice bypass
Old Sluice Box
Chappie Rock
Big Sluice
Cadillac Hill
Dollar Hole

Anyone have any suggestions on how to rate these obstacles based on 31" SWB or 33" LWB and a rear locker?
------------------------------
Post Pile
I'd rate this as easy if you take the by-passes. If you stay on the main trail it would be very difficult.

Walker's Hill
I'd rate this as moderate difficulty

Little Sluice
Impossible (At least for the vehicle specs you've listed)

Little Sluice bypass
Easy

Old Sluice Box
Very difficult. Would recommend the by-pass across the slabs.

Chappie Rock
I'm not familiar with this one. Probably know it by a different name.

Big Sluice
West to East=Difficult, East to West=Very Difficult

Cadillac Hill
Moderately difficult

Dollar Hole
Easy. (This was filled in by a work party last year)

You might also want to include a high diffilculty rating for the section of trail just north of Buck Island. This is some of the most difficult stuff that you must get through (no by-passes).

There's also a difficult spot between Walker and Little Sluice (just before Soup Bowl). It's a spot where the trail has eroded away and exposed some big rocks. This can be difficult for less capable rigs. It's only been an issue the last couple of year so I'm not aware of any name for it yet.

Thanks SloMo! Great info. I'll incorporate it into the track/map. :) :smokin:

So I am new to this thread but read a lot of post and was wondering when this GPX file would be complete? I too am an avid GPS guru and think what you have together so far is impressive and would love to be able to add to it.
I am headed to the Rubicon for the second time at the end of the month - do you think I could get maybe an advanced copy of the GPX file and while I am on the trail I will be sure to note how accurate and detailed the data is - in hopes to improve or catch any unforeseen errors. If this sounds like a good idea to you I could also use a quick idea of what you would like me to look for and take note of.
-Thanks!

So I am new to this thread but read a lot of post and was wondering when this GPX file would be complete? I too am an avid GPS guru and think what you have together so far is impressive and would love to be able to add to it.
I am headed to the Rubicon for the second time at the end of the month - do you think I could get maybe an advanced copy of the GPX file and while I am on the trail I will be sure to note how accurate and detailed the data is - in hopes to improve or catch any unforeseen errors. If this sounds like a good idea to you I could also use a quick idea of what you would like me to look for and take note of.
-Thanks!

Hey... sorry for the slow reply. This little project went on the backburner temporarily.. somehow heads, timing chain, radiator, shock rebuild, etc seemed to take a higher priority when I had free time. :|

I'd be happy to share what I have so far. Send me a Private Message and we can exchange the track via email.

Craig

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There's also a difficult spot between Walker and Little Sluice (just before Soup Bowl). It's a spot where the trail has eroded away and exposed some big rocks. This can be difficult for less capable rigs. It's only been an issue the last couple of year so I'm not aware of any name for it yet.

I tries to get Hell's Kitchen to stick, but it has not yet. That spot is a high priority for FOTR to do some work to this summer. If anyone is in there in the next month, please take a few shots and send to me:

scott.johnston@rubicontrailfoundation.org

------------------------------
You might also want to include a high diffilculty rating for the section of trail just north of Buck Island. This is some of the most difficult stuff that you must get through (no by-passes).

There's also a difficult spot between Walker and Little Sluice (just before Soup Bowl). It's a spot where the trail has eroded away and exposed some big rocks. This can be difficult for less capable rigs. It's only been an issue the last couple of year so I'm not aware of any name for it yet.

Editing the first version is almost done.

There are quite a few gaps in the geospatial data though. Some of this I can heads up digitize with a mouse, but some of it I'm still looking for solid info on. If anyone has anything recorded (GPX, KML, GDB, or other) for any of the following I'd really appreciate it. All of the current online sources of GPX info appear to be incomplete.

- New approach from Loon Lake (track)
- Little Sluice Bypass (track)
- Old Sluice Bypass across slabs (track)
- "Hell's Kitchen" - Difficult spot between Walker and Little Sluice (just before Soup Bowl) (waypoint)
- Alligator Pit (waypoint and rating)
- Soup Bowl (waypoint and rating)

Editing the first version is almost done.

There are quite a few gaps in the geospatial data though. Some of this I can heads up digitize with a mouse, but some of it I'm still looking for solid info on. If anyone has anything recorded (GPX, KML, GDB, or other) for any of the following I'd really appreciate it. All of the current online sources of GPX info appear to be incomplete.

- New approach from Loon Lake (track)
- Little Sluice Bypass (track)
- Old Sluice Bypass across slabs (track)
- "Hell's Kitchen" - Difficult spot between Walker and Little Sluice (just before Soup Bowl) (waypoint)
- Alligator Pit (waypoint and rating)
- Soup Bowl (waypoint and rating)

A few people have asked about the status of this project. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get down and run the trail this past summer so the above gaps still exist and the track hasn't been made available yet.

If anyone has any additional info for the above I'd love to have it. Just send me a PM and I'll give you an email address where you can email me your track in any GPS file format you want (I'll convert it). Once I have complete track information I'll make the track and maps available for download someplace.

Craig