GPX Download Problems

Users of this website have reported to me that they are having problems downloading gpx files on Windows computers using either Edge or Internet Explorer browsers.  Others are unable to download gpx files to the iOS version of Gaia GPS.  A friend had problems with a Samsung Tab A.
  • If you would like to download all tracks and waypoints in a Region at once, try using the ZIP File at the bottom of each Regional webpage.  This may eliminate the problem.  First, make sure you can use a ZIP file.
  • If you want to download individual gpx files, or if the ZIP file does not work, look at the possible workarounds below.
EDGE AND INTERNET EXPLORER BROWSERS
It appears this problem has been fixed, but I will leave it up here for a while.  I had no problems on Microsoft Edge 41.16299.15.0

Well, this is a revolting development!  If you click on "Download File" with Edge or Internet Explorer you will get a page of gibberish.

This website is hosted by Weebly, and this is a Weebly problem.  Edge and Internet Explorer work fine to download gpx files on non-Weebly sites.  I contacted Weebly in December, 2016 and received the following answer:

"Thank you. We've checked this and we believe this is just how Internet Explorer / Edge are treating the .gpx files. Technically speaking, treating the gpx file as xml file is correct, so in the long run it's just a limitation of our file element to tell IE / Edge that the file must be handled as a gpx instead of xml file.​

'"We'll be looking to improve this in future updates but to be honest we don't have any estimated time. I also see in your site you already posted a workaround on how to change the file extension when downloading from these browsers."
​
Chrome and Firefox work fine, so you can use one of them or you can use the workaround below.

Workaround for Edge and Internet Explorer
  • Right click "Download File" and choose "Save target as..."
  • The dialog will want you to save it as an xml file.  You do not want to do this.
  • Click in the File Name: box (Not the Save as type: box).  The box will turn blue so you can edit it.
  • Change the 3 letters after the dot from "xml" to "gpx".  No quotation marks.  Do not remove the dot.
  • Do nothing to the Save as type: box.
  • Click Save and you will download a gpx file.
GAIA GPS
It appears the problems listed below have been solved as of February, 2018.  Newer Gaia versions that work are Gaia GPS Hiking Maps, Hike App for IOS and Gaia GPS: Hiking Maps, Topo Maps, Hike App (Beta) for Android.  I will leave the problem list on for a while as a precaution.

  • iOS users report to me that they cannot use Gaia GPS to download tracks from this website.  Turns out Gaia GPS has a problem with gpx files generated with a Garmin program such as BaseCamp (which I use) and MapSource.
  • Use Safari, not Chrome, as your browser.  Might help.
  • I do not use the iOS version but asked a friend how he uses my files for Gaia GPS on his iPad.  He says to save the file in Dropbox and then import it to Gaia GPS on his iPad.  The Gaia GPS support representative was able to use a gpx file from this site after running it through Adze.  Another website suggested I use zip files, so I sent one to my friend and he said "I have izip pro app on my iPad and it unzipped the file and I opened it in Gaia - very smooth!"  I have added zip files to each Regional page.
  • I also had trouble uploading my Garmin-generated gps files to the Gaia GPS website, so I wrote to them in December, 2016.  The answer was:  "Thanks, we are aware of Garmin related GPX file incompatibilities. I've got an open bug report for the iOS app and website."  Here's hoping they fix the bugs.  
  • Followed up in January, 2017 and got the following response:  We're tracking the issue in our system, but I unfortunately don't have an ETA for when a fix will be available.  In the meantime, many files that do not import to the website will still import properly to the Gaia GPS app.   I believe she is referring to the Android version of the app.
Samsung Tab A (Android)
  • My friend tried to download a gpx file from JeepTheUSA.com and his tablet opened a page of gibberish.  He was using Chrome on Android.  This is what worked for him:
  • Long press the file.
  • Choose "Download Link".
  • This downloaded the file to his default Download folder as a gpx file he could import into BackCountry Navigator.
  • I believe some tablet/app combinations will automatically import the file into an app with no further ado.
I realize these are not acceptable things to require, but hope you will still use the website with the workarounds.