Author Topic: Wilderness Boundaries (Read 4177 times)

GoNorthWest · « **on:** January 05, 2009, 09:55:47 AM »

Hi,

I was wondering where the data came for the Wilderness Boundaries GPX file that can be added to the maps? I recently, using TopoFusion, traced the boundary for Mt Lemmon in Arizona, and when I enabled the boundaries overlay that comes with TopoFusion, notice a difference in boundary lines. I traced what was on the topo maps. Any ideas on why the difference?

Thanks!

Mark

ScottMorris · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2009, 11:12:40 AM »

Hi,

The wilderness boundary file came from a shapefile that was created by the USGS. In general is it more accurate than the lines drawn on the topo maps.

By more accurate I mean it's more up-to-date. It is definitely not as precise -- meaning that it doesn't cover every nook and cranny of the boundary lines. Oftentimes it's a gross approximation.

So, the reason your line may be off could be a combination of both of these.

Hope that helps.

GoNorthWest · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2009, 12:13:54 PM »

Hi Scott,

That makes sense. Just for my education and entertainment, do you have a source where I could check out the shape files? I'm interested in how all this works, and I'm also working on trying to put together a wilderness boundary map overlay for my GPS so I don't place caches within the boundaries.

Thanks!

Mark Fleming

ScottMorris · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2009, 12:26:40 PM »

The shapefile came from here:

http://www.nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html

(Under boundaries)

Ah, no caches in wilderness, good point!

GoNorthWest · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2009, 12:32:27 PM »

Thanks for the link! We can place virtual caches in wilderness areas, just not physical caches. And there are some limitations on virtuals, if it would bring tons of people to a sensitive area like ruins or something.