Help-Page for Multi-Mountain Time/Distance Estimator (Back)
General Description:
The Multi-Mountain Estimator works with Google-Maps to produce driving instructions for multi-mountain climbing and camping trips.
To use the estimator, simply add one or more trailheads to the Trip-List, then click the GetEstimates button. Google will generate driving instructions,
times, and distances between trailheads, and over-all for your entire trip.
Operating Instructions:
- Select the Multi-Peak mode (it should be selected by default).
- Enter a starting address or zip-code. (*)
- Add one or more destination trailheads to your Trip-List, by double clicking the trailheads you want to add. (You can also add trailheads using block selection. After selecting a block, click the "arrow button" to add the selected trailheads to your Trip-List.) (*)
- Optionally enter a destination in the New Address box, then click the Add to Trip button. This can be used for adding campgrounds and restaurants (or beer stops) to your trip. (Enter the address carefully because Google gives up the entire query if this address is invalid.)
- Use the up, dn, del, and clr buttons to select the final order of your Trip List. (The order in your Trip-List determines the order Google uses to map and route your trip.)
- Optionally click the save button to save your Trip. (Your trip-list is automatically saved each time you submit it to Google.)
- Select one or more of the listed checkbox options. (Remember to select the Round-Trip option to calculate round-trip estimates.)
- Click the GetEstimates button to submit your trip to Google.
(*) If cookies are enabled in your browser, the program remembers your starting address and your selected "Trip List".
Note: Google will only map 24 destinations at a time. In order to map a full 24 trailheads you have to select the "Use 4wd Roads" option. This option strips out the "hard-routing" used in many of the listed trailheads. Hard-routing is used to make sure Google returns the same routes described by Roach and Middlebrook. Hard-routing encodes intermediate destinations, which are included in Googles 24 destination limit.
Options:
- Show Round Trip Time and Distance (Finds shortest way home):
This option calculates the aggregate time/distance for your trip. It also lets Google-Maps find your shortest route home.
- Use 4wd Roads (i.e. Strip out all Hard-Routes):
This option removes the "intermediate destinations" that have been added to some of the Trailheads for hard-routing purposes. Hard-routing is used to force Google to use the "standard routes" described by Roach. Note: Google will only map 24 destinations at a time, so selecting this option can increase the number of trailheads you can include in your trip -- it also reduces the clutter shown on your map.
- Use 1st Trip List entry as Start Address:
This option excludes the time and distance from your starting address to the first trailhead. This option could be useful if you're trying to break the speed record for climbing all of the 14er peaks.
- Avoid Highways:
This is Google's option for avoiding highways.