I am considering getting new eTrex22x and Ontario topo from Trakmaps for Wabakimi trip.
From what Garmin says, it looks impossible to draw custom layers in Basecamp app (as I used to do in now defunct Delorme Topo North America). I wonder if there's any way around this restriction?
Cheers,
Sergey

You can draw freehand tracks with the draw tool. Routes are more point to point and the program decides how to connect.

Link to my Onedrive canoe files may well save the drawing.

butthead

Thanks, butthead. I'm more interested in marking portages and campsites than drawing tracks. The campsite file you linked in your reply - how is it made? Doesn't look like drawings...

EddyTurn: "Thanks, butthead. I'm more interested in marking portages and campsites than drawing tracks. The campsite file you linked in your reply - how is it made? Doesn't look like drawings..."

All of the files he's sharing are gpx files; each of them contain multiple waypoints or tracks. Download, then import them into Basecamp and you'll have a new folder filled with the data. Organize them by coping the ones you want into a new folder of your own making and personalize by trip or area etc.

As I said, I'm not looking for BWCA/Quetico area info, so these files are of no use for me. I'm looking for advise on how to mark portages and campsites in Basecamp topo maps.

Sorry! I totally missed your Wabakimi mention.

One of the better ways to gather this type of data (rather than drawing it all out yourself) is available on another paddling website for planning your trip. On that site, you can plot a route on their maps (including Wabakimi) and then download a .gpx file that it creates which will include entry points, campsites, and your track... whatever is included on that route. Then import that into Basecamp. I pay an annual membership fee at that paddling site, and that might be necessary before you'd have the ability to download files, etc, not sure.

I used several sources. GPS File Depot is the source of portages, campsites, and EPs.

I added .kmz files for WCPP and Sylvania and am currently looking for Wabikimi.

butthead

Schweady and butthead, thanks for your advice! I usually avoid using GPS in favor of map and compass, and obviously my knowledge of tracks, routes and other tools is very limited. I'm a subscriber on the other site as well, but totally missed its ability to create a gpx files out of my routes. Now I imported my Wabakimi route gpx in Basecamp. It shows campsites in the area, but not portages. I sent a note to the help desk and hope that it can be solved. In my experience Ben is very fast and helpful in addressing the site issues.

EddyTurn: "...It shows campsites in the area, but not portages. I sent a note to the help desk and hope that it can be solved. In my experience Ben is very fast and helpful in addressing the site issues."

I noticed that too about not seeing the portages broken out of the single downloaded track. You'd need to use the 'Split at selected point' in Basecamp to isolate the portages along your path of travel. I'll agree with the comments about Ben. Seems like he could change that so it does it automagically.

butthead: "You can draw freehand tracks with the draw tool. Routes are more point to point and the program decides how to connect.


Link to my Onedrive canoe files may well save the drawing.


butthead"

Thank you! I have a pretty robust gpx file of the northern entry points based on Ben's site and my own personal experiences. Yours contains some sites that I don't have and I've always figured there's a high likelihood that more exist.

I use the description field to make a comment on the site. Cheers.

schweady: "

EddyTurn: "...It shows campsites in the area, but not portages. I sent a note to the help desk and hope that it can be solved. In my experience Ben is very fast and helpful in addressing the site issues."

I noticed that too about not seeing the portages broken out of the single downloaded track. You'd need to use the 'Split at selected point' in Basecamp to isolate the portages along your path of travel. I'll agree with the comments about Ben. Seems like he could change that so it does it automagically.
"

As a follow up: on the Download page of the mentioned site now are available GPX files for both Wabakimi campsites and portage landings.