Overlaying trails onto google earth?

Have you checked out Caltopo? You should be able to get all the overlays you could ever want. I'm very much a beginner using the features, so I can't give you specific instructions.

There's also gmap4, but it seems less intuitive/easy to use IMO.

Justin

If you have a .KMZ file saved for your trail, you can open this with Google Earth. If not, you can make one with SierraMapper or Caltopo.

BTW Google Earth Pro is now a free download giving you higher resolution imagery.

Dave

It’s not clear exactly what you are trying to do. When you say overlay a trail on terrain in google earth, what format is the ‘trail’ in? Is it a .gpx file, or a route already drawn on the topo map, or what exactly? Google earth can open a number of files directly (.gpx, .kml. .kmz, etc) and lay them right on the ground. Or you can use free online conversion tools to change, say, a .gpx into a .kml, like using GPX to KML. Or you can just view topo maps directly in google earth: Earthpoint Topo for Google Earth (just click the button called “View On Google Earth” and open the downloaded .kml file).

If none if this is what you wanted, let us know.

Also you might check out GPSBabel, depending on your source of tracks. It can convert from pretty much any GPS device or file to KMZ.

http://www.gpsbabel.org/

I basically want trails to be marked in a bright line on google earth so I can follow a trail while also looking at the terrain around it. I don't have a trail to import in, I'm wondering if there is a collecting of all trails everywhere that I could use.

The problem with hillmap is it's only top down, not 3 dimensional flying around like with the google earth software.

I think drawing a trail in Caltopo then using the "Export" button to make a KML file for Google Earth is your best bet. I've done it before and it is pretty cool.

In California Google Earth has trails for Yosemite, SEKI, and Lassen.

You just have to turn on that 'layer'

Under "Layers"
Go to:
More
Parks/Recreation Areas
US National Parks
Trails
Turn on "Trails" by checking the box.

Otherwise you have to import the trails you are interested in from another source, as is described in the previous posts.

I am still puzzled as to why trails are not routinely included in Google Maps, but then I don't work for Google.

If someone has hiked the trail with a gps, you may be able to find what you want just by searching for the name. I thought up a random trail (Angel's Landing in Zion) and typed it along with 'kml' into google and the first result was this page: http://www.cloudhiking.com/mountains/rockies/angels-landing2.php, and sure enough, there was a kml link on the page that loaded into GE and BAM!, there was the trail in all it's virtual 3D glory.

Just try the trail name with gpx or kml or kmz and see what you find.

If it's an unnamed or obscure trail, good luck.

Like this?

I normally use SierraMapper (alpha) to create a route (it "draws" marked trails for you! but you still have to manually draw xcountry routes) then export as a KML file, which can then be opened in Google Earth. For non-Sierra areas, I use Caltopo and "draw" the trail by tracing the trail marked on the topo. Then, same as before, export as a KML and open it up in Google Earth. You can also add a Topo layer directly to Google Earth (search the community) and draw the trail by tracing what's marked on the topo layer. Then, just adjust the transparency of the topo layer or hide it altogether.

One of the really nice features of using Google Earth's aerial imagery rather than some of the browser based options (Caltopo, Gmap4, Hillmap, closedcontour, etc.) is that you can select different imagery dates, which is very helpful if the current photo was taken when the area was covered in snow but you'll be travelling through it in late summer.

+1 to Luke's suggestion. View in Caltopo.com then export as kml. Open the file in Google Earth.

Search for gpx and kml files for the trail you are interested in. Odds are it's been mapped.

Thanks guys! I think I can figure that out.

I was hoping there was a file somewhere with every national park and national forest trail loaded on it.

I'm actually planning out the route form the BMWO and wanted to follow the whole thing on google earth without switching around.