How to Auto Route Trails on the Garmin TOPO Map 60CSX

handheld gps image by Christopher Dodge from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Hansel and Gretel may have made it out of the woods with no hassles if they had GPS technology instead of breadcrumbs. Garmin, a maker of GPS units, uses many different technologies to ensure you get to your destination, or back home, safely. One of these features is auto routing. This function automatically drops electronic breadcrumbs into the GPS unit's map as you make your way, letting you follow the same route back home or to camp.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx

Step 1

Press and hold the power button on the top of the unit to power it on. Wait for the default display screen to appear.

Step 2

Press the "Menu" button twice to open the menu display. Scroll down to the Routes section using the thumb rocker control. Highlight this section and release the rocker button. Navigate to the New section using the rocker control, highlight it and release the rocker button. Name your route using the display letters and rocker button. Highlight "Save" and release.

Step 3

Press the "Menu" button twice. Look for the Tracks option, highlight it with the rocker control, and release the rocker button. Highlight the "Set-Up" button. Set the Tracks to Most Often with the rocker control and release. This will now automatically drop bread crumbs along you new route.

Step 4

Press the "Menu" button twice. Select the Maps display screen. Begin your trip and watch the display for tracks being the electronic bread crumb tracks being dropped every few minutes. This is your auto route.

Step 5

Press and hold the Trac-Back button with the rocker control. Release the control and wait for the Trac-Back display screen to appear. You may follow this track back to your starting destination when ready to turn around. You will use the auto route you just created for your return travels.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

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