Google Earth will be our data gathering point, maps, routes, etc. Eventually we'll have an enormous amount of info -- actually, on my ancient computer, it's already staggering.

I struggled for years searching out aerial photos, learning how to georef, overlay, study Landsat bands, all sorts of technical stuff. I could go on. Being a techo groupie, it was fun but Google Earth, with it's latest sat photos, trumps most of what I've been able to gather and it promises to only improve.

You don't Google Earth?! Time to learn. If an ancient like me can do it ...

Considering that GE's photos are taken from hundreds of miles away at a slant, some minor distortions and misalignments creep in. Their underlying elevation map aligns closely with other georeffed date, like the state's GIS info, but if you closely at the bottom of some gorges like Waialae with Terrain turned on, the streams will toboggan from side to side, not following the lowest elevation. I nitpick.

Some of the overlays will be large and I've split some to upload. Some of the overlays I've struggled with are as large as 600mb, and that's only covering a tiny portion of the island but me, my computer and Google Earth are a long ways from being able to use those highly detailed files.

Might as well start with routes, trails and relevant roads plus landmarks. Again this is strictly for entertainment. I recommend that you NOT grab a route, feed your GPS and think that's all there is to it. Remember, camping permits, heed No Trespassing signs, the Rednecks from Deliverance (who moved to Waimea) and that after getting lost in the Alakai, you will linger for weeks, starving while the State struggles to get to the end of the Camp 10 Road.

Roads to Waialeale 12-02-08

Note that these are not GPS routes, but routes obtained from a variety of sources: State GIS, Ornithologists, USGS topographic maps, etc. Also, note the date. When the file is updated, the date will change. And of course, there will be more sections of Kauai and subjects added.

Got a zillion overlays, but I will try and upload only those that might be of interest to hikers, Kauaiphiles.

Hillshade: With the Terrain turned on, this overlay allows you see the topography "naked" better than trying to mentally interpret the USGS quads, etc. 2.4 MB. Alignment is excellent.

Points of interest. Photos, landmarks, mountain lodges, etc., that for the most part you'll find nowhere else. 210 KB.

Topographic overlays. I had to split to upload. Fit is fairly good, but of course, you can always adjust as you see fit.