NAVIGATION SO EASY, BIGFOOT CAN DO IT.

Trailforks is Bigfoot’s preferred cell phone navigation application because (a) you don’t need to be in cell coverage for it to work, (b) the map provides MUCH more detail on the trails used (difficulty, profile, user pics and more) as well as better topo, features around, and directions to the trailhead.  Here are related instructions:

1. Download Trailforks to Your Phone
   Download the app from your app store and create an account if you haven’t already done this.

2. Bigfoot Routes Link
   Go to your adventure route page, and click on the Trailforks Route link you want to use. The link will likely take you to the route on the Trailforks webpage. Under the header you will see a gray box with the option to “Open route in the mobile app.”

3. Use the Map
   Once in the app version of the route, click on the Map link and your route will show up as a gold line and you will be the blue dot on that gold line. Hit the trail and check in every once in a while to make sure your blue dot is on the gold line.

4. Related Additional Uses
   Note that the web version of the route includes much more information, including a profile, a route description with some turn-by-turn instructions, route stats, details with links to key trails, weather, review comments, and more.  Explore some and learn more about your route. 
   
   Directions
   You will see a Directions tab at the top of this info page. Click on this, and you will go to Google Maps for instructions to the trailhead.
   
   Save To
   Hit this tab to save the route to your phone so you don’t have to return to our website.
   
   Map
   Click on this tab, and it will take you back to the map with the gold route line.

5. Suggested Keys
   Trailforks Pro vs Free Version
   You can get detailed maps anywhere if you have Trailforks Pro ($36 per year). If you don’t, you will only get the detailed map within the region you use (we are California, all of our challenge is within this region) . The areas outside the radius will show up in gray. Note that Trailforks lets you download one region at a time for free, so if you go to Oregon, you can delete the California region, upload the Oregon region, and use Trailforks in Oregon. 
   
   Get familiar with Trailforks before you hit the trail.
   
   Learn your routes using the Trailforks link and the turn by turn instructions, map, trail descriptions and more before you hit the trail. Note that the Trailforks desktop version provides much more information on the route than your phone. Get online and click our Trailforks links.
   
   Print a copy of the Trailforks route for a hard copy.  Your printed copy will include the turn-by-turn instructions in the route description and a map.  Suggest printing only the first couple of pages; you may not need the weather info, stats, and more on the subsequent pages. 

   
   It’s very important to note that our designed routes can be completed in a way that works best for you. Our mapping includes a trailhead start, BUT you can start your adventure anywhere along the best route for you. We are fortunate in Redding and our other Challenge communities that many of our routes can be started from your home, work location, and/or favorite coffee shop without driving to the actual trailhead. Start your adventure from the comfort of your home, intercept our mapped route at the best location for you, substantially complete the route, and check the box on your passport.

   
   Make sure you check the route pages on our website, as we will note whether we think the route is ready for you. We are fortunate to live in an area where snow can happen on the valley floor, and rains can fill our creeks. Oftentimes, our trails aren’t fit for humans or Bigfoot; plan accordingly.

For those who use Strava (free & premium users), we have created Strava routes for you. A big key or concern to using Strava in the field is you do need cell coverage for it to work for you AND it does eat up your battery more than the Trailforks option.  Here are some very simple instructions:

1. Download Strava to Your Phone
   Download the app from your app store and create an account if you haven’t already done this.

2. Bigfoot Routes Link
   Go to your adventure route page, and click on the Strava Routes link.

3. Use the Map
   Strava will then load, and a map will appear with an orange line showing your route. Your location will be a blue dot on the map. Hit the trail, and check in to make sure your blue dot is on the orange line. (again, note that you will need to be in cell coverage for this to work).

4. Related Additional Uses

   Get Directions
   Below your map, you will see three dots. Click this to get several options, including Driving Directions. Click on this, and you will get Maps and Google Maps driving directions to the trailhead. 
   
   Save
   Hit this tab and you can save the route to your phone so you don’t have to go back to our website.
   
   Use Route
   You can use the map while recording your ride or run.  Hit the Use Route tab and start your adventure. Check in here and there and make sure your blue dot is on the orange line.

5. Suggested Keys
   Get familiar with Strava before you hit the trail
   
   Learn your routes using the Strava link and the turn-by-turn instructions and map included on the route page before you hit the trail.
   
   For extra comfort, bring a printout of this Strava route or the Trailforks route with the turn by turns and map with you on your adventure. Make some of your own notes in the margins to help orient yourself.
   
   Don’t worry about not completing a route as mapped. The goal is to have fun and learn about our amazing trails. Check the box and submit your passport.

   
   Very important to note that the routes we have designed can be completed in a way that works best for you.  Our mapping includes a trailhead start, BUT you can start your adventure anywhere along the route that works best for you. We are fortunate in Redding and our other Challenge communities that many of our routes can be started from your home, work location, and/or favorite coffee shop without driving to the actual trailhead.  Start your adventure from the comfort of your home, intercept our mapped route at the best location for you, substantially complete the route, and check the box on your passport.
   
   Make sure to check the route pages on our website; we will indicate whether the route is ready for you.  We are fortunate to live in an area where snow can happen on the valley floor, and rain can fill our creeks. Oftentimes, our trails aren’t fit for humans or Bigfoot; plan accordingly.

This option is really more for power users. Trailforks and Strava will allow you to create GPX files of their routes (use our links), and then you can load them to your other navigation device and use them as you would otherwise.

Many of us like to have paper in our hands, either as primary navigation or as a backup.  This year, we have added the basic turn-by-turn to the Trailforks and Strava route descriptions.  To get a cool paper map, we suggest you: 

• Load the Trailforks route on your desktop

• Position the map so the route is fully visible, and pull it as far left as you can.  

• Print the route.  You can either (a) send to your printer or (b) save as PDF.  Note that in either option, we suggest printing just the first couple of pages, as you probably don’t want the weather report, recent trail reports, trail reviews, and more.