Topo Maps+ has a few ways to measure distance on a map.

1. Distance Rings

Distance rings let you see distances from the center of the map.

2. Tracing Routes

You can trace out a route to see how far that route is.  In this example the route from the campsite at Image Lake to the lookout is approximately 1.19 miles. This article goes into depth on how to trace routes.

3. Map Scale

You can choose to always have the map scale turned on.

Adding waypoints to a map are a great way to add your own markers.  The easiest way to add a waypoint is to tap and hold on the map.  Then to add a waypoint, drag the crosshairs around on the map to the location where you want the waypoint and then tap on “Add Waypoint” in the bottom right corner.

After the waypoint is added you can tap on the various tabs at the bottom of the screen to bring up the details.  Alternately, you can tap on any waypoint on the map to bring up these details for the waypoint.  Here you can change the name of the waypoint and change the icon for the waypoint.

You can also add a waypoint from My Data –> Waypoints –> Scroll down and select Add New Waypoint.

When you select any of the waypoints from this list, the map will jump to that waypoint. You can also, sync your waypoints between your iOS devices by using sync in the menu.

You can enter the following formats when searching for a coordinate.

• 49.721 -117.234
• N49.721 W117.234
• 49 43.2600′ -117 14.04′
• N 49 43.2600′ W 117 14.0400′
• N49 43′ 15.60″ W 117 14″ 2.40′
• N49 43 15.60  W 117 14  2.40
• 49 43′ 15.60″  -117 14″ 2.40′
• 11U 483133mE 5507637mN
• 11 483133mE 5507637mN

Topo Maps+ is designed for offline use while deep in the backcountry.  Most of the features of Topo Maps+ will work as is when there is no internet connection.  For example, GPS and compass work without an internet connection so Topo Maps+ can know where you are and where direction you are headed without the internet.  To get ready to go into the backcountry you need to download the maps you want to view before you go out since downloading and viewing new maps require an internet connection.  Once you have downloaded maps, you don’t need an internet connection to view them.

Downloading New Maps

Topo Maps+ makes it easy to download maps.  First you want to zoom and pan the map to the area you want to download.  (For this example, lets say we are hiking to Image Lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness.)

Then you want to go to menu -> Download Maps -> Download Maps (for offline use).

Now you can select the regions you want to download.  The map will automatically zoom to the correct zoom scale for selected maps to download.  When you tap on the boxes you want to download a blue check box will appear in the box.

Once you have selected the regions you want to download, tap on the download button and let the download finish.

Checking Downloaded Maps

You can easily check if you have downloaded maps for a region before you go out.  Pan and zoom the map to the region you are wondering about and then select to download maps.  This will show you what has already been downloaded.

Managing Downloaded Maps

In the download maps section of Topo Maps+ you can jump to downloaded maps and you can delete downloaded maps.  If you tap on any of the downloaded maps the map will go to the location that was downloaded.

If you swipe your finger to the left over one of the downloaded maps you can choose to delete the map from your device.  You can still download that map again in the future.

You can also delete a downloaded maps from the download map selection view by tapping on the red circle over the region.

Now that you have downloaded maps to your device you are ready to go deep into the back country far away from an internet connection.

Be prepared for that awesome journey through majestic mountains, down flower ladened valleys, and over craggy passes. Trace routes to find approximate distances and elevation profiles between locations.

In this example I am going to look at the route from Cow Creek Meadows to Larch Lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

To trace a route firstselect “Plan” and then “Trace Route”.

Next drag the cross hairs to where you want to start tracing a route.

Once you have the cross hairs at the start of the route, tap on start in the upper right corner and then drag the cross hairs over the route.  If at any point you trace off of the route you can tap on undo in the upper left corner to undo the last few points.  You can tap on undo as many times as you need to.

Once you are done tracing the route tap on Done in the upper right corner.  You can always go back and continue tracing a route, so you can tap done even if you are not yet finished.

Tap on the arrow at the bottom of the screen (on the iPad it is the arrow on the right side). This will bring up the trip details.  You can look at this any time while you are tracing the route as well.  The first screen give the approximate distance, elevation gain, and elevation loss for the route.

Swipe the view with the distance to the left to get the elevation profile (on the iPad you just scroll down to get all of the screens).

Tap and hold on the elevation profile and then move your finger back and forth to get more detailed information.  You will see a green dot on the map for the location that corresponds to where you finger is at on the elevation profile.

Swipe the elevation profile to the left again.  Here you can rename the route.  You can also continue tracing the route if you want to make it go farther.  If you have scrolled the map away from this route, tapping on view route in map will scroll the map back to the route.  You can also share the route.

When you choose to share the route you will be able to select the region of the map that you want to share.  By default the entire route will be selected.  Drag the blue buttons to change the size of the selected region.  You can tap and hold on the selection box to lift it up and move it around.

Once you have selected the region you want to share tap on the share button in the upper right.  You will then be able to select how you want to share the image.

For example, selecting email lets me email the map with the route on it to a friend.  (If the map is very large Mail may not show the preview correctly.)

Now swipe the bottom view over again.  Here you can change the color of the route on the map.  You can also make it so that the route is not shown on the map by toggling the “Hide Route on Map” setting.

Later if you want to go back and view this route again you can select “Plan” and then “My Routes” to get a list of your routes.  Select the route in the list to view the route in the map.

You can also view this route on other map types.  Now that the route has been traced it will show up on the satellite map.  This is helpful because it lets you see where the trail is when viewing a satellite map.  To switch to the satellite map tap on Map Type and then select MapBox Satellite.

Now you can see the route on a satellite map.  (Tip, if you tap on the screen you can view the map fullscreen.)

Finally, you can also view this route on your other iOS devices.  You can sync your Topo Maps+ data between all your iOS devices.  This lets you do your planning on your iPad and then have those routes available on your iPhone.

Topo Maps+ is a great way to prepare for your next outdoor adventure!

The most important thing to do in Topo Maps+ to get ready to “leave the grid” is downloading maps.  When you download maps you can access those maps on your iPhone without needing an internet connection.  Version 2.1 added a much easier way to download USGS and Thunderforest topo maps.

When you want to download maps first zoom and pan the map to the area you are interested in downloading.  Then select “Download Maps” -> “Download Map Regions” in the app.

This will show you the map with a grid overlay on top of it.  Tap on the regions you want to download and then tap on the download button in the upper right corner.

Before heading out the door be sure and check that you have the maps you need downloaded.  There are two ways you can check which maps have downloaded.  You can go back to the download map regions.  This will show you which maps have been downloaded.

You can also go to the “Downloaded Maps” section.  This will list out each of the regions you have downloaded.  You can tap on any of them to go to that location in the map.

There is one other way to download maps that works for all map types and not just for USGS and Thunderforest topo maps.  You can turn on turn on download tiles.  Turning on this setting will make Topo Maps+ save all map tiles that it downloads.  As you scroll and zoom around on the map all map images that you see are downloaded and saved.  This only saves the images you are looking at and not the region at different zoom levels.