---

To use most features of iHikeGPS, Location Services in the Settings app must be ON.

TAP	RESULT
Time	Jump to the top of the list.
Search bar	Find an already-downloaded map by map name or latitude & longitude or scale. This search works by filtering the maps displayed in the Map List table to show only those which match the search criteria you have entered. To see only maps within a 1° x 1° square area, enter whole numbers with no decimal point for the latitude and longitude. To see only maps within a 0.1° x 0.1° area, enter numbers with one digit after the decimal point. To select by map scale, type 24K or 50K or 63K or 100K or 250K, or 24K USGS or 24K USFS.
Cancel	Stop search, remove on-screen keyboard.
Edit	Remove a map: Tap ,   Delete  ,  Done  .
Scroll down to
Delete All	Erase all downloaded maps from the iOS device.
Delete New	Clear all newly downloaded maps from the iOS device. Use this if a download contains maps you didn’t expect and don’t want.

Sharing the Map List as a GPX Waypoints File:

All maps on the list are included.
Each waypoint's coordinates are for the center of that map.
Each waypoint's name, comment, and description are the map's sheet code, name, and map type.

HOW TO	DO THIS
Send the map list via email	Tap(Share). Tap   . Email queued in your out box. Sent when the Internet connects.
Send the map list in GPX format to other apps or other devices	Use AirDrop
	Use email
	Use Messages
	Use Dropbox
	Use Copy to Send to another app
Save the map list to the Notes app	Tap(Share).   Tap    Add to Notes.
Save the map list to iCloud Drive	Tap(Share).   Tap   .   Tap   . Tap   Save to Files         .

Maps Available within iHikeGPS:

US Geological Survey (USGS) 24K topo maps are available for all of these areas.

US Geological Survey (USGS) 100K topo maps and USGS 250K topo maps are available for all of these areas except Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Guam.

US Forest Service 24K maps exist only for certain national forests and grasslands.

Current USFS topo maps show forested areas and inholdings. Many of the trails are more accurately placed. They have very high resolution for superb Retina screen viewing and printing. They can stitch over the whole USA, but only with other current USFS maps.

2013 USFS topo maps display faster and use less memory to store on your device. They can’t stitch across UTM zone boundaries, but they can stitch with USGS UTM maps, which makes them useful to get full coverage in areas with spotty USFS map availability.

Both the current USFS and the 2013 USFS maps are available for download. Switch between them using the "Prefer New USFS Maps" toggle under iHikeGPS in the Settings app.

Alaska:

USGS 63K maps are available for all of Alaska. USGS 24K maps are available only for some densely populated areas. US Forest Service Maps are available for a few places in Alaska.

Natural Resources Canada 50K maps are available for the areas outlined in red. All areas south of 50° N latitude are included.

In British Columbia, Alberta, and Newfoundland all areas south of 54° latitude are included. In Saskatchewan, maps for Prince Albert National Park are included.

Natural Resources Canada 250K maps are available for the area outlined in red.

New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

Updating Maps:

New and considerably improved US Forest Service maps were issued in 2015. Especially if you downloaded Forest Service maps before the middle of August 2015, you may wish to download the newer version of those maps.

To get the newer version of an original Forest Service map that you had downloaded:

1. In the Settings app, tap iHikeGPS.
2. Be sure that Prefer New Forest Service Maps is ON.
3. Go to the Home screen.
4. Start iHikeGPS.
5. Tap the Map List tab.
6. Scroll to the map you want to update.
7. Tap the map name so a checkmark appears.
8. Tap  +  at the top left.
9. Tap  Same Map Location  .
10. Tap  Add USA US Forest Service Map .

USGS Topo Maps Legend:

Current US Forest Service Topo Maps Legend:

Natural Resources Canada Topo Maps Legend:

Import:

GPX files are the preferred file type for exchanging waypoints, routes and tracks with other applications and other users, and for storing iHikeGPS data outside the app. Geocaching GPX files are recognized as such and imported intelligently.

KML files can contain many things besides waypoints, paths, and tracks. When importing a KML file, all of these other things are completely ignored. The waypoints are imported as waypoints. The paths and tracks are imported as routes.

TCX files are Training Center files. Read-only support is provided for single route import from fitness apps. The .tcx file name is used as the route name.

LOC files are simplified waypoint files from Geocaching.com. Read-only support is provided mostly for users with old LOC files. If you are doing a new download from a geocaching web site, get the GPX file instead of the LOC file whenever possible, as it contains more information.

Use AirDrop to Send Tracks, Waypoints or Routes to iHikeGPS:

Requires close proximity, but works even in the wilderness with no cell or Internet connection.

1. Unlock your iOS device. Ask the sender to unlock their iOS device.
2. Open Control Center on both devices.
3. Long Press
if it is showing.
4. Tap Air Drop to see

   Tap  Everyone  on both devices.

5. Close Control Center.
6. Have the sender tap(Share) in the sending app for the GPX, KML, TCX, or LOC formatted data.
7. If the sender sees then ask the sender to position his device very close to yours, and wait until he sees
   This may appear quickly, or it could take a couple of minutes. Move the devices closer if it is not working.
8. Have the sender tap your name.
   You will see    

   Tap  iHikeGPS  .

If the AirDrop transfer fails:

1. Open Control Center on both devices.
2. Turn on Airplane Mode.
3. Wait several seconds.
4. Turn off Airplane Mode.
5. Close Control Center.
6. Try again.

Send Track, Waypoint and Route Files to iHikeGPS from a link on a web page.

1. Go to the web page in Safari.
2. Tap the download link.
3. Tap Open In… if it appears.
4. If not and you see nothing:
       Open the Files app.
       Open the Downloads folder.Tap the Safari Downloads button .
       Find the just-downloaded file.
       Tap the file icon.
       Tap (Share).
5. Scroll horizontally to the Copy to iHikeGPS icon.
6. Tap it.

Email Tracks, Waypoints and Routes To iHikeGPS:

Requires an Internet connection.

1. Create an email with a “.GPX”, “.KML”, “.TCX”, or “.LOC” file attachment on another device.
2. Send it to your iOS device's email address.
3. Open it in Mail :
4. If you see  Tap to Download  or a downward facing arrow, tap it and wait until the download is finished.

5. Don’t tap the attachment icon button. Instead touch lightly (NOT 3D Touch) and hold your finger on the attachment icon button until you see a change in the display, then lift your finger.
6. Tap:     Share     .
7. Tap: Copy to iHikeGPS.

Use iMessage to Send Tracks, Waypoints and Routes To iHikeGPS:

Requires an Internet connection.

1. Using the Messages app on another iOS device or a Mac, create a message with a “.GPX”, “.KML”, “.TCX”, or “.LOC” file attachment.
2. Send it using iMessage (not SMS).
3. Open it in the Messages app on your iOS device.
4. Tap the gpx, kml, tcx, or loc file icon once quickly. If a new screen pops up showing the file text, go to step 9. If nothing happens in response to the tap, go on to step 5.
5. If you are using iOS 12, tap the circular avatar image(s) at the top of the screen which show who the message is from (and the other participants in the message group if any).
6. Tap to bring up a Details screen.
7. Look near the bottom for
   Tap Attachments.
8. You will see (scroll down if necessary) the file icon for the waypoint that you want to send to iHikeGPS. (There may be other icons showing also if other earlier parts of this iMessage conversation have attachments). Tap this file icon.
9. Tap(Share).
   
10. Tap: iHikeGPS.

Use Notes to Send Tracks, Waypoints and Routes To iHikeGPS:

1. Open the Notes app. View a note which has a “.GPX”, “.KML”, “.TCX”, or “.LOC” file attachment.
2. Touch and hold your finger on the attachment icon button until you see a change in the display, then lift your finger.
3. Tap(Share).
4. Tap: Copy to iHikeGPS.

Import a Tracks, Waypoints or Routes File Stored in iCloud Drive:

Requires an Internet connection.

1. Open the Files app.
2. Navigate to a “.GPX”, “.KML”, “.TCX”, or “.LOC” file.
3. Tap the file.
4. Tap(Share).
5. Tap: iHikeGPS.

Use Dropbox to Send Tracks, Waypoints and Routes To iHikeGPS:

Requires an Internet connection.

1. Install Dropbox on the device that contains the file.
2. Transfer the “.GPX”, “.KML”, “.TCX”, or “.LOC” file to this Dropbox.
3. Install the free Dropbox App on your iOS device.  
4. Tap the Dropbox App icon.
5. Tap the Files tab.
6. Tap the desired file.
7. Tap ... .   Then tap  Export .
8. Tap:  Open In… .
9. Tap: Copy to iHikeGPS.

Send Track, Waypoint and Route Files to iHikeGPS
using the  ihikegps://  URL scheme:

Requires an app on your device which can send a custom URL request.

1. Create or locate a “.GPX”, “.KML”, “.TCX”, or “.LOC” file.
2. Send the file using the  ihikegps://  custom URL scheme with the path to the file.

                   ihikegps://your_file_path

   (See instructions for the sending app.)
3. Send  ihikegps://  by itself to simply open the iHikeGPS app without importing anything. You can preview this using Safari.

Use the Mac Finder or iTunes to Send
Tracks, Waypoints and Routes To iHikeGPS:

Requires connecting your iOS device to your computer with a USB cable.

1. Open a Finder window or start iTunes on your computer.
2. Select your iOS device in the pull-down menu from the top bar or in the left column.


3. Click  Apps  or  File Sharing  or  Files  in the left column or in the top bar.



4. Scroll down the page. Under File Sharing click iHikeGPS, or click the triangle next to the iHikeGPS icon.


5. Select a “.GPX”, “.KML”, “.TCX”, or “.LOC” file which is under 5 MBytes in size,
   then drag and drop it onto the Inbox folder.
6. Start iHikeGPS on your iOS device.

After Import:

Tab-bar icon badges show the number of new waypoints and/or routes imported.

The Waypoints screen shows the newly imported waypoints in red.

If the imported file contains a waypoint with a different location but the same name as an existing waypoint, then the new waypoint will be renamed rather than overwriting the existing waypoint. For example a waypoint with a duplicate name of “Campsite” would be renamed “Campsite01”.

The Routes screen shows the newly imported tracks and routes in red.

If the imported file contains a route or a track with the same name as an existing route, the new route will be renamed rather than overwriting the existing route. For example a route with a duplicate name of “Moab Trail” would be renamed “Moab Trail01”.

If the imported file contains routes or waypoints you didn’t expect and don’t want, Use the  Delete New  option (scroll to the bottom of the page) to remove them.

Export:

AirDrop,   Email,   Messages,   Dropbox,   Copy to,   iCloud,   Mac Finder or iTunes

Note: Export KML files only when the destination app is Google Earth. Otherwise export GPX files which contain more complete information for import into other apps.

Send Tracks, Waypoints, Routes or a Screen Image to another iOS device using AirDrop:

Requires close proximity, but works even in the wilderness with no cell or Internet connection.

1. Unlock your iOS device. Ask the intended recipient to unlock their iOS device.
2. Open Control Center on both devices.
3. Long Press
if it is showing.
4. Tap Air Drop to see

   Tap  Everyone  on both devices.

5. Close Control Center.
6. Tap , , or .
7. Tap(Share)   or      .
8. Tap   Track Segments …  or   Entire Track   or   Elevation Graph Image   or
   Tap   All Waypoints    or   Selected ( ▢ ) Waypoints    or   Go To Waypoint   or
   Tap   Active Route (✓)   or   Selected ( ▢ ) Routes   or   All Routes   or
   Tap   Current Location   or   Anywhere on the Map  .
9. Tap   , , or .

   Use KML only if you know the application you are sending to requires KML (i.e. Google Earth).

10. If you see then ask the intended
    recipient to unlock their iOS device if it has gone into sleep mode.
11. Position your device very close
    to theirs, and wait until you see
This may appear quickly, or it could take a couple of minutes. Move the devices closer if it is not working.
12. Tap the intended recipient. He will see something like

If the AirDrop transfer fails:

1. Open Control Center on both devices.
2. Turn on Airplane Mode.
3. Wait several seconds.
4. Turn off Airplane Mode.
5. Close Control Center.
6. Try again.

Send Tracks, Waypoints or Routes by Email:

Use any time. Email will be queued in the Mail app’s Outbox until you have an Internet connection.

Email includes a GPX file attachment.

1. Tap , or .
2. Tap(Share).
3. Tap   Track Segments …  or   Entire Track   or
   Tap   All Waypoints    or   Selected ( ▢ ) Waypoints    or   Go To Waypoint   or
   Tap   Active Route (✓)   or   Selected ( ▢ ) Routes   or   All Routes   or
4. Tap   .
5. Enter an email address in the To: area.
6. Optionally change the Subject and the body of the email.
7. Tap  Send .

Send Tracks, Waypoints or Routes to Another Apple Device through Messages:

iMessage includes a GPX file attachment.

Requires an Internet connection.

1. Tap , or .
2. Tap(Share).
3. Tap   Track Segments …  or   Entire Track   or
   Tap   All Waypoints    or   Selected ( ▢ ) Waypoints    or   Go To Waypoint   or
   Tap   Active Route (✓)   or   Selected ( ▢ ) Routes   or   All Routes   or
4. Tap   . You may need to wait several seconds for the New Message screen to appear while the operating system checks for network availability.
5. Enter a iPhone phone number or an iCloud email address in the To: area.
6. Optionally change the text of the message.
7. Tap  Send .

Send Tracks, Waypoints or Routes through Dropbox:

Use any time. The file will be queued until you have an Internet connection.

1. Install the free Dropbox App on your iOS device.
2. Tap , or .
3. Tap(Share).
4. Tap   Track Segments …  or   Entire Track   or
   Tap   All Waypoints    or   Selected ( ▢ ) Waypoints    or   Go To Waypoint   or
   Tap   Active Route (✓)   or   Selected ( ▢ ) Routes   or   All Routes   or
5. Tap    or    .

   Use KML only if you know the application you are sending to requires KML (i.e. Google Earth).

6. Tap: Copy to Dropbox (Not Save to Dropbox).
7. Tap  Save .

Send Tracks, Waypoints or Routes to Another App on your iOS device

The other app must accept files in GPX or KML format.

1. Tap , or .
2. Tap(Share).
3. Tap   Track Segments …  or   Entire Track   or
   Tap   All Waypoints    or   Selected ( ▢ ) Waypoints    or   Go To Waypoint   or
   Tap   Active Route (✓)   or   Selected ( ▢ ) Routes   or   All Routes   or
4. Tap    or    .

   Use KML only if you know the application you are sending to requires KML (i.e. Google Earth).

5. Tap the app icon.

Save Tracks, Waypoints, Routes or a Screen Image to iCloud Drive:

Use any time. The file will be queued until you have an Internet connection.

1. Tap , , or .
2. Tap(Share)   or      .
3. Tap   Track Segments …  or   Entire Track   or   Elevation Graph Image   or
   Tap   All Waypoints    or   Selected ( ▢ ) Waypoints    or   Go To Waypoint   or
   Tap   Active Route (✓)   or   Selected ( ▢ ) Routes   or   All Routes   or
   Tap   Current Location      or   Anywhere on the Chart  .
   Tap   ,   or   .
   Tap  .
   Tap   for a GPX or image file, or
    tap    or   , then .

Send Tracks, Waypoints or Routes to Your Computer
through the Mac Finder (or iTunes):

Requires connecting your iOS device to your computer with a USB cable.

1. Tap , or .
2. Tap(Share).
3. Tap   Track Segments …  or   Entire Track   or
   Tap   All Waypoints    or   Selected ( ▢ ) Waypoints    or   Go To Waypoint   or
   Tap   Active Route (✓)   or   Selected ( ▢ ) Routes   or   All Routes  .
4. Tap   Send GPX File Via iTunes or the Mac Finder
      or   Send KML File Via iTunes or the Mac Finder .

   Use KML only if you know the application you are sending to requires it (i.e. Google Earth).

5. Connect the iOS device to your computer.
6. Open a Finder window or start iTunes on your computer.
7. Select your iOS device in the pull-down menu from the top bar or in the left column.


8. Click  Apps  or  File Sharing  or  Files  in the left column or in the top bar.



9. Scroll down the page. Under File Sharing click iHikeGPS, or click the triangle next to the iHikeGPS icon.



10. To the right, select a “.gpx” or “.kml” file.
11. Drag and Drop that file to a folder in the Mac Finder.
12. Open the “.gpx” or “.kml” file using a compatible mapping program of your choice.
13. To remove a file from iHikeGPS Documents, select it, then push the delete key while holding down the Command key.

Choose your Settings for iHikeGPS:

Go to the Home screen.
Start the Settings app.
Scroll down to iHikeGPS. Tap it.

OPTION	AVAILABLE SETTINGS
Auto-Lock	ON *      Use the system Auto-Lock setting. OFF       Never Auto-Lock.
Stitch Maps	ON *      Show multiple maps stitched together. OFF       Show only one map at a time.
Prefer New USFS Maps	ON *      Download and preferentially show current USFS maps. OFF       Download and preferentially show 2013 USFS maps.
Position Format	ddd.ddddd° *          degrees ddd° mm.mmm'     degrees minutes ddd° mm' ss.s"       degrees minutes seconds UTM / UPS             Universal Transverse Mercator grid coordinate system USNG / MGRS        United States National Grid coordinate system
Distance Units	statute miles *     speed: miles per hour         area: acres nautical miles      speed: knots                       area: square feet kilometers            speed: km per hour            area: square km
Elevation Units	feet * meters
Direction Units	° True *               Degrees clockwise from True North ° Magnetic       Degrees clockwise from Magnetic Compass North
Show Direction Vector	ON *    Course direction and speed vector or Compass line from current position. OFF      Course/Compass vector not shown on the map.
Show Waypoint Notes on Map	ON *     Waypoint Notes overlaid on the map. OFF     Waypoint Notes not visible on the map.
Waypoints On Elevation Graph	ON *     Waypoints along the path are shown. OFF     Waypoints not shown on the graph.
Proximity Sensor †	ON        Turn off the screen when near an object. OFF *    Don’t use the Proximity Sensor.

 

To use most features of iHikeGPS, Location Services in the Settings app must be ON.

1. Go to the Home screen.
2. Start the Settings app.
3. Tap Privacy & Security.
4. Tap Location Services.
5. Make sure Location Services is ON.
6. Scroll Down to iHikeGPS.
7. Tap it, then tap While Using the App.
8. Turn ON the Precise Location switch.
9. Tap < Back in the top left corner.
10. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap
    System Services.
11. Tap the Compass Calibration switch to ON.
12. Go to the Home screen.
13. Restart the iHikeGPS App.

To download a map or send waypoints, routes and tracks over your cellular Internet connection, Cellular Data in the Settings app must be ON.

1. Go to the Home screen.
2. Start the Settings app.
3. Tap Cellular.
4. Make sure the main switch for Cellular Data is ON.

5. Scroll Down to iHikeGPS under USE CELLULAR DATA FOR: .
6. Make sure its switch is ON.
7. Go to the Home screen.
8. Restart the iHikeGPS App.

Battery Life:

You can change several settings to reduce the iOS device's drain on its battery when you are using iHikeGPS on a long hike. Adjust the following settings:

• Open the Settings app.
  • Tap Battery.
  • Turn on Low Power Mode.

If you don't have a cellular signal, or are willing to forgo cellular service to prolong battery life:

• Open Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of any screen.
  • Turn on Airplane mode.
  • Turn down the screen brightness to the lowest acceptable level.

Otherwise:

• Open Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of any screen.
  • Turn off Wi-Fi.
  • Turn off Bluetooth.
  • Turn down the screen brightness to the lowest acceptable level.
• Open Apple’s Settings app.
  • Tap Cellular, then turn off Cellular Data. (Turn this back on if you need to download a map.)

Also:

• Plug the iOS device into a car charger on your way to the trailhead so that you start the hike with a completely charged battery.
• On the Track Screen, select  Until Drive  or  Always  when you start your hike. Put the iOS device to sleep when you are not looking at it. When you stop for lunch or to enjoy the view, on the Track Screen select  Off .
  (Don’t forget to turn Track Recording back on before resuming your hike.)

If you follow all the steps, you may be able to record tracks for about 10 to 12 hours of actual hiking. Use an external battery pack to extend this time.

Help Screen:

HOW TO	DO THIS
Retrace links you took	Tap(backward)    or (forward).
Quickly jump to a Help section	Tap .
Open the Settings app	Tap .
Print these Help instructions	Tap(Share).   Tap  Print       .
Email your ideas or questions to us	Tap(Share). Tap  Feedback and Support           .
Tell a friend about iHikeGPS (This is really helpful for us, and we've made it super quick and easy to do! )	Tap(Share).   Tap     or   .
Leave the Help screen	Tap  Done

We Listen to You:

Question or Suggestion?   lwjames@iHikeGPS.com     (303) 258-0576

Safety:

This iOS App must not be relied on as any part of a primary means of navigation. It must not be used in a way that safety or property depends on its successful operation. Always carry a compass and a paper map as a backup. Don’t run your battery down so far that you can’t make an emergency call if needed. James Associates Inc. accepts no liability, including incidental or consequential damages, for any injury or damages that may occur from the use of iHikeGPS.

Just because a trail is shown on a map in iHikeGPS does not mean that trail is accessible to the public. The trail could be on private land, and it could be both dangerous and illegal to hike on it. Please check with the local city, county, or land management office before attempting to use a trail. You are responsible for searching out and obeying all applicable restrictions and regulations.

Privacy Policy:

We don't capture any personal information or present ads when you use iHikeGPS. Any information you send to your friends using our app goes directly to them, not through our server. We respect your privacy.