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Here’s how I get a good estimate of the length of a planned hike with its elevation gain
Watch as I plot a trailed route in the Catskills using GaiaGPS on my phone — after which, I plot a bushwhack route up Sleeping Lion and Halcott Mountain.
This is something Gaia does really well.
Video
This video tutorial is in a tall format so it will look best on phones, but you can follow along on desktops too.
All the tools and functions shown in the phone app are also available on Gaia’s website interface.
Plotting a route — either trailed or untrailed — on Gaia is a great way to get an estimate of the length of a planned hike, as well as the total elevation gain and loss.
You can use these numbers in conjunction with your personal hiking pace formula to estimate how long your hike will take.
It’s always wise to also check with fellow hikers and online resources about current trail conditions, and to get some general trail intel for the route you’re planning.
Lean on your hiking community. Stay safe.
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