AZT on Google Maps

[Sredfield]

It appears Google has corrected their map labels for the AZT. It used to be called the "Kachina" trail across the state. The several location just checked show it as the Arizona Trail. details, details, details . . . .

[blisterfree]

Well, progress... but it's still a bit of a mess elsewhere. See the Kelvin area for instance. Would be nice if Google would make a concerted effort to plot the entire trail, given that the info is readily available on the internet. I haven't looked into it, but there's Google MapMaker for contributing data (not sure about the feasibility of re-plotting and labeling the entire AZT via kmz or whatever).

Edit: Actually, GMap label edits via MapMaker look fairly simple, but the problem, too, is that the AZT route line is outdated. So, for instance, if one were to fix the label in the Kelvin area from Grand Enchantment Trail to Arizona Trail, the result might be to also incorrectly label the old AZT route through the White Canyon Wilderness, since the new layout of the Gila River Canyons passage isn't shown. And of course the GET labels might not deserve to simply go away either, since that's useful and (partially) correct data, albeit subordinate to the AZT where they coincide. Ideally, one would replace (not edit) the line of the Arizona Trail with the current, correct layout and label it accordingly. Then, go in and find places where the AZT is also known by other names (Wilderness of Rock Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, etc.) and ensure that both names are shown correctly in those areas. When I say "ensure" I really have no idea what I mean, or what the process would be for doing any of this, again, other than re-labeling existing GMap data which seems on its surface very straightforward (but with the above caveats).

[writelots]

@blisterfree
I noticed your Sky Islands Traverse on GMaps when I was checking out the Dragoons - impressive to have it there, and such an amazing way to promote any amenity.

[blisterfree]

The GET and Sky Islands hike on Google Maps was a complete surprise to me, as well. Particularly the SKIT, since there's almost nothing on the web about that one except for the relatively brief write-up on my site and photos. Where the two routes overlap, such as in the Pinalenos, there are places where both names are (were? I haven't checked in a while) shown, and this is in lieu of the proper trail names such as Round-the-Mountain Trail, which is bordering on ridiculous. Apparently the same thing happened to a long-distance hiker called Trippin' Ant who developed, walked and promoted his "Western Circle" hike around the interior Western states a few years back. Say a few words, publicly post a KML file or two (this may be critical), and then wait for Google to pick up on it. In his case, local hikers eventually noticed, got upset when their familiar trails mysteriously began appearing with the Western Circle moniker on GMaps, complained, or perhaps just went into Google Mapmaker, and the labels have since reverted back to normal. So it's a mixed bag, especially when Google doesn't update things in a timely fashion to account for routing changes. And of course there may be the occasional private landowner concern, intended as a stealth hike type of deal, that becomes amplified by the seemingly official air of GMaps.

[Sredfield]

It would be nice if the AZT could be broken into individual Passages on GM. Hmmmm, sounds like a good intern project to me.;)