Gear & Preparation
Navigation Tools
A wrong turn can cost hours, water, and confidence. The right navigation tools keep you oriented when trails fade and landmarks shift.
Navigation in the backcountry is not optional - it is survival. Trails are not always well-marked, and a wrong turn in unfamiliar terrain can lead to dangerous situations. The right tools and the knowledge to use them keep you on course when conditions change.
Your navigation system should have redundancy. A phone with offline maps is useful, but batteries die and signals fail. A paper map and compass work without power, in any weather, at any altitude. A satellite messenger can call for help when everything else fails. Carry multiple layers of navigation.
Tools alone are not enough. Knowing how to read a map, take a bearing, and match terrain to your position is what turns gear into navigation.
Maps
The foundation of backcountry navigation. Maps show you where you are, where you are going, and what lies between.
Paper Maps
The most reliable navigation tool ever made. No batteries, no signal, no failure points. A detailed topographic map shows terrain features, trails, water sources, and elevation changes. National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps and custom maps from National Map Service are waterproof and tear-resistant.
- Works in any condition - rain, cold, altitude, dead batteries
- Shows the big picture - terrain, routes, and escape options
- Waterproof versions available (National Geographic, Trails Illustrated)
- Requires skill to read and interpret contour lines
- Carry as a backup even if you rely on digital tools
- Available from USGS, land managers, and outdoor retailers
Digital Maps
GPS apps and devices provide real-time position tracking, route guidance, and detailed mapping. Download offline maps before you leave cell service - they are essential when signal fails. Modern apps offer far more detail than paper maps alone.
- Real-time GPS position shows exactly where you are
- Offline maps work without cell service
- Track your route and mark waypoints
- Requires battery power - carry a backup battery
- Signal can fail in canyons, dense forest, or bad weather
- Smartphones connect only to GPS satellites (not multi-GNSS like dedicated devices)
Navigation Apps
Your phone is a powerful navigation tool if you have the right apps and offline maps downloaded. These apps turn your phone into a GPS device with detailed topographic maps, route tracking, and waypoint marking.
Gaia GPS
The most popular backcountry navigation app. Offers USGS topos, satellite imagery, and public land layers. Subscription-based ($40/year). Excellent international coverage. Works offline with downloaded maps. Pairs with satellite messengers for messaging.
CalTopo
A powerful mapping tool favored by search and rescue teams. Offers detailed topo layers, slope angle maps for avalanche terrain, and route planning tools. Subscription-based. Excellent for trip planning on a desktop before downloading to your phone.
onX Backcountry
Strong mapping with public land boundaries, trail layers, and GPS tracking. Popular with hunters and backcountry skiers. Subscription-based. Good route recording and waypoint features.
FarOut (formerly Guthook)
Essential for Arizona long-distance trails. Crowd-sourced water source reports, campsite info, and trail conditions updated by other hikers. Critical for the Arizona Trail and other desert routes. Subscription per guide ($5-10 each).
AllTrails
Great for finding trails and following established routes. Offline maps available with AllTrails+ ($36/year). Less detailed than Gaia for off-trail navigation, but excellent for popular trail networks.
iPhone Satellite SOS
iPhone 14 and newer (iOS 18+) support two-way satellite messaging and SOS. Send iMessages/SMS via satellite when out of cell range. Free for first 2 years. Not a replacement for a dedicated satellite messenger, but a valuable backup. Uses Globalstar network.
Compass
A compass tells you which direction is north. Combined with a map, it lets you take bearings, follow routes, and orient yourself when landmarks are not visible. It works without batteries, in any weather, at any altitude.
Basic Use
Hold the compass flat and level. The red needle points to magnetic north. Rotate the bezel to align the needle with the north arrow on the baseplate. You now know which direction you are facing. A baseplate compass (Suunto MC-2, Brunton TruArc) is the standard for map navigation.
Taking a Bearing
Point the direction-of-travel arrow at your destination. Rotate the bezel until the orienting arrow aligns with the magnetic needle. Read the bearing at the index line. Follow that bearing to reach your destination.
Map Orientation
Place the compass on the map. Rotate the map and compass together until the compass needle aligns with the map's north-south lines. The map is now oriented to the terrain around you.
Magnetic Declination
Magnetic north is not the same as true north. The difference - declination - varies by location. In Arizona, declination is roughly 8-12 degrees east. Adjust your compass or map for declination to avoid navigation errors that compound over distance. Many modern compasses have adjustable declination.
GPS Devices & Satellite Messengers
Digital navigation provides precision and convenience. Satellite messengers add emergency communication when cell service fails.
Dedicated GPS Units
Purpose-built devices with long battery life, rugged construction, and reliable satellite reception. Multi-GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo) provides better accuracy than phones. The Garmin GPSMAP 67i ($600) and eTrex SE ($150) are top picks.
- Battery life measured in days, not hours (GPSMAP 67i: 180 hrs)
- Rugged, waterproof construction (IPX7 rated)
- Multi-GNSS support for accuracy in deep canyons
- Preloaded topographic maps with microSD expansion
- ABC sensors: altimeter, barometer, 3-axis compass
- Heavier and more expensive than phone apps
Satellite Messengers
Two-way communication via satellite when cell service fails. Send messages, share your location, trigger SOS for rescue. The Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus ($500) is the gold standard. Budget option: Zoleo Satellite Communicator ($149). All require a subscription ($15-50/month).
- Two-way messaging via Iridium satellite network
- Interactive SOS connects to professional rescue coordination
- LiveTrack shares your real-time location with family
- Weather forecasts available in the field
- Battery life: 95-350 hours depending on tracking interval
- Requires subscription plan (Iridium network access)
Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)
SOS-only devices that use the government-funded COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system. No subscription required. The ACR rescueME PLB1 ($395) is the standard. One-way only - you cannot send messages or confirm your signal was received.
- No monthly subscription - buy once, 7-year battery life
- Uses COSPAS/SARSAT - the same system as aircraft emergency beacons
- Simple operation: flip cover, press button
- One-way only - no messaging, no confirmation of receipt
- Best as a last-resort emergency backup
- Register with NOAA before use
Wrist-Mounted GPS
GPS watches like the Garmin Foretrex 801 ($250) or Fenix/Epix series provide hands-free navigation. Track your route, follow breadcrumbs, and check your position without pulling out a device. Smaller screens limit map detail but battery life is excellent.
- Hands-free - always accessible on your wrist
- Excellent battery life (Foretrex 801: 100 hrs GPS mode)
- Multi-GNSS and ABC sensors
- Smaller screens limit map detail
- Best as a supplement to phone or handheld GPS
- GPS watches (Garmin Fenix, Cor Apex) double as fitness trackers
GPS & Messenger Comparison
Understanding what each device offers helps you build the right navigation system for your needs.
| Device Type | Navigation | Messaging | Subscription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld GPS (GPSMAP 67i) | Full topo maps | Yes (inReach) | Yes ($15-50/mo) |
| Satellite Messenger (inReach Mini 3+) | Basic (pair with phone) | Full 2-way | Yes ($15-50/mo) |
| PLB (ACR rescueME PLB1) | GPS position only | SOS only | None |
| Phone with GPS App | Full maps (offline) | Cell/WiFi only (+satellite on iPhone 14+) | App subscription ($0-40/yr) |
| GPS Watch (Foretrex 801) | Breadcrumb only | No | None |
Recommended setup for Arizona: Phone with Gaia GPS + offline maps as primary navigation, paper map + compass as backup, and a satellite messenger (inReach Mini 3 Plus or Zoleo) for emergency communication. Total weight: under 12 oz.
Route Planning
Navigation starts before you hit the trail. Studying your route, identifying landmarks, and planning escape options prevent problems before they start. Tell someone your planned route and expected return time.
Study the Map
Review your route on CalTopo or Gaia GPS before you go. Identify key turns, water sources, elevation changes, and potential hazards. Note escape routes in case conditions force you to change plans. Download offline maps to your phone.
Identify Landmarks
Pick visible features you can use to confirm your position - peaks, ridges, rivers, or distinctive terrain. Landmarks help you stay oriented when the trail is unclear. Mark key waypoints in your GPS app.
Share Your Plan
Tell someone your planned route, expected return time, and what to do if you do not return on schedule. Use LiveTrack (Garmin inReach) or share your Gaia GPS track with a contact. A detailed plan helps rescuers find you if something goes wrong.
Check Conditions
Trail conditions change - snow, fire, flooding, or closures can alter your route. Check recent reports from land managers, trail organizations, or other hikers. FarOut app provides crowd-sourced water and trail reports for Arizona's long-distance trails.
Navigation Skills
Tools are only as good as your ability to use them. Practice navigation skills before you need them in the backcountry. Knowing how to read a map, take a bearing, and match terrain to your position turns gear into confidence.
Map Reading
Learn to read contour lines, understand scale, and identify terrain features. A map shows you the shape of the land - hills, valleys, ridges, and drainages. Close contour lines mean steep terrain; wide spacing means gentle slopes. Practice on familiar trails before venturing into unknown terrain.
Terrain Association
Match what you see on the map to what you see around you. A ridge on the map should match a ridge in the terrain. A stream crossing on the map should match a stream at your feet. This skill confirms your position when GPS fails.
Pace Counting
Know how many steps you take per 100 meters on flat terrain and uphill. Pace counting helps you estimate distance when you cannot see landmarks or when visibility is poor. Use pace beads or a counter to track distance.
Practice Regularly
Navigation skills degrade without use. Practice on every trip - check your position on the map, take bearings to landmarks, and confirm your route. The more you practice, the more confident you become. Take a navigation course or read "Be Expert with Map and Compass" by Bjorn Hjort.
Navigation Tool Care
- Keep paper maps dry - use a map case or waterproof version for wet conditions
- Fold maps carefully along existing creases to prevent tearing
- Check compass for bubbles in the liquid-filled capsule - bubbles affect accuracy
- Test GPS devices and phone apps before every trip - verify offline maps are downloaded
- Carry a backup battery or portable charger (Anker PowerCore, Nitecore) for electronic devices
- Charge satellite messengers before every trip - check battery indicator
- Update device firmware and app versions before major trips
- Renew satellite messenger subscriptions before they expire - an expired plan means no SOS
- Register PLBs with NOAA and update registration when your contact info changes
- Store electronics in a dry bag or waterproof case - Arizona monsoons are sudden and intense
- Practice navigation skills regularly - tools are useless without the knowledge to use them
Building Your Navigation System
Redundancy is the foundation of safe navigation. No single tool is reliable enough to depend on alone. Build layers of navigation that cover each other's weaknesses.
Minimum System (Day Hikes)
- Phone with Gaia GPS + offline maps downloaded
- Paper map of the area
- Baseplate compass (Suunto MC-2)
- Portable charger for phone
Recommended System (Backpacking)
- Phone with Gaia GPS + offline maps
- Paper map + compass
- Satellite messenger (inReach Mini 3 Plus or Zoleo)
- Portable charger (10,000+ mAh)
- Shared trip plan with a trusted contact
Full System (Remote/Desert)
- Phone with multiple map apps
- Dedicated GPS (Garmin GPSMAP 67i)
- Paper map + compass
- Satellite messenger with LiveTrack
- PLB as emergency backup
- Multiple power sources (charger + solar panel)
Arizona-Specific Tips
- FarOut app is essential for Arizona Trail and desert routes
- Heat kills batteries - keep electronics in shade, not direct sun
- Monsoon season (July-September) can destroy trails and wash out crossings
- Slot canyons block GPS signal - navigate by map and compass
- Carry extra water, not just extra navigation tools