Over the last 20 years I've spent a lot of time exploring back roads, Jeep trails and public lands. It has not only become a hobby of mine, but a significant part of my lifestyle. One thing I've learned is that there's a big difference between seeing a line on a map and understanding the trail you're about to drive!
A map can tell you where the road goes, but it can't necessarily tell you what you're going to find when you get there.
Is there a steep climb? A rock ledge? A narrow section? A washed-out road? Is the trail appropriate for the vehicle you're driving? Where are the good places to stop, turn around or camp? Those are the things I want to know before I leave the pavement.
That's one of the reasons I like using TrailsOffroad.
I don’t like guessing when I’m in a new area! I've always been a planner when it comes to off-roading. That doesn't mean I want every minute of a trip planned out. Quite the opposite. Some of my favorite days are when the plan changes and you end up finding something you weren't looking for.
But there's a difference between exploring and being unprepared.
If I'm taking my Jeep somewhere I've never been, especially if I'm taking friends along, I want to have a pretty good idea of what we're getting into.
TrailsOffroad gives me that information.
I can look at the trail description, photos, difficulty, obstacles and waypoints and get a much better idea of what I'm going to encounter. And that's useful whether you're someone who's been wheeling for 30 years or someone who's just getting started.
One of the things I like most is the Trail detail!
A lot of trail maps are great at showing you a line… Trails Offroad goes further than that.
The trail guides give you information along the route instead of simply telling you where the trail starts and ends.
That matters.
If I'm planning a trip with a stock Jeep or a vintage off roader as I usually do, I'm looking at the trail differently than I would if I'm taking a built rig, and if I'm taking somebody who's new to off-roading, I'm looking at it differently again.
The vehicle, the driver and the conditions all matter!
A trail that is easy on a dry summer day can be a completely different animal after a storm or early-season snow.
Having detailed, up to date, and accurate information lets me make a better decision before I get there.
It also makes exploring public land easier
This is probably the part I appreciate the most. There is an incredible amount of public land available for us to explore but knowing where you are and where you're allowed to drive is just as important as knowing how to drive the trail.
I’m a very firm believer that if we want to keep access to public lands, we must be responsible users of them. That means staying on designated route, It means understanding land-management boundaries, It means not making your own trail because the existing one isn't convenient, and it means leaving the trail in a condition that allows the next person to enjoy it. TrailsOffroad makes it easier to understand the area you're exploring and plan your trip around established routes.
It doesn't replace experience… and that's a good thing
One thing I don't want people to take away from this is that an app is going to make you an experienced off-road driver.
It won't.
No map is going to teach you how to read an obstacle, pick a line, understand traction or know when it's time to turn around. You still must learn those things on your own but having better information before you get there can help you make better decisions. I've helped plenty of people learn how to navigate trails, pick lines and understand what their vehicle is capable of. One of the biggest lessons I try to teach is simple:
You don't have to drive every obstacle just because it's there.
Sometimes the smartest decision you can make is turning around and knowing what's ahead makes that decision a whole lot easier.
My favorite part? The planning!
For me, the fun starts well before the Jeep leaves the garage! I'll look at an area, start finding trails and then start putting the trip together.
Maybe there's a trail I've wanted to run for years… maybe there's an old mining area I want to explore… or maybe I'm trying to connect several trails together to make a full-day adventure.I'll look at the difficulty, the distance, the terrain and what's around it and start building the trip. That's where TrailsOffroad fits into the way I already like to explore.
And when I'm going somewhere remote, having offline information is huge. Because eventually you're going to reach that magical point where your phone goes from "5G" to "No Service". That's usually about the same time you realize you probably should have downloaded the map.
Ask me how I know 😊
Good information makes better adventures!
I don't think using a detailed trail guide takes the adventure out of off-roading, if anything, I think it allows you to have more exciting adventures.
You can take somebody new to the hobby and put them on something that's challenging without being ridiculous and you can explore places you've never been with a much better understanding of what you're getting yourself into.
That's what I want out of a trail app.
I don’t want somebody telling me exactly how my day is going to go, just give me enough information to make a good decision, and I'll take care of the rest.
At the end of the day off-roading has never really been about how difficult of an obstacle I can conquer.
It's about going somewhere, seeing something I haven't seen before. finding an old road, mine or mountain pass., taking the Jeep someplace most people aren't going to get to, and coming home with a good story.
TrailsOffroad has become one of the tools I use to make that happen.
If you're new to exploring public lands, it's a great way to start learning what's out there… and if you've been doing this for years, it can be another tool in the toolbox for planning bigger trips and finding new places to explore.
And that's really what I think responsible off-roading is all about:
Explore more. Know where you're going. Stay on the trail. Take care of the land. And leave something for the next guy.
Because there's a lot of country to explore out there!
