Getting Started

This guide will help you start using the Rocky Mountain Trails API to plan your backcountry adventures.

Basic Queries

Finding Places

Start by exploring available locations in the trail network:

query GetAllPlaces {
  places {
    id
    name
    type
    coordinates {
      latitude
      longitude
      elevation
    }
    facilities
  }
}

Finding Trails

Get a list of all available trails:

query GetAllTrails {
  trails {
    id
    name
    start {
      name
    }
    distanceKm
    estimatedHours
    difficulty {
      overall
    }
  }
}

Weather Queries

Current Conditions

Check the weather at a specific location:

query GetCurrentWeather {
  getWeatherAt(placeId: "lake-louise") {
    temperature
    conditions
    windSpeedKmh
    visibility
    uvIndex
  }
}

Weather Forecast

Get a multi-day forecast for trip planning:

query GetForecast {
  getWeatherForecast(placeId: "lake-louise", days: 5) {
    date
    highTemp
    lowTemp
    conditions
    precipitationChance
  }
}

Route Planning

Finding Routes

Find the best route between two locations:

query FindRoute {
  findRoute(
    startId: "moraine-lake-parking",
    endId: "sentinel-pass",
    options: {
      preferredDifficulty: MODERATE
      avoidTerrain: [GLACIER]
    }
  ) {
    trails {
      name
      distanceKm
    }
    totalDistanceKm
    estimatedHours
    campgrounds {
      name
      facilities
    }
  }
}

Multi-Day Trip Planning

Plan a complete multi-day adventure:

query PlanBackpackingTrip {
  planTrip(
    startId: "lake-louise-parking",
    endId: "egypt-lake-shelter",
    startDate: "2024-07-15",
    options: {
      maxDays: 3
      fitnessLevel: MODERATE
      preferLoop: true
    }
  ) {
    route {
      totalDistanceKm
      estimatedDays
    }
    itinerary {
      day
      start {
        name
      }
      end {
        name
      }
      distanceKm
      estimatedHours
    }
    weatherForecast {
      date
      conditions
      precipitationChance
    }
    recommendedGear
  }
}

Trail Conditions

Current Trail Status

Check if a trail is passable:

query CheckTrailConditions {
  getTrailConditions(trailId: "iceline-trail") {
    status
    snowLine
    warnings
    lastUpdated
    recentReports {
      date
      conditions
      hazards
    }
  }
}

Advanced Queries

Filtering by Difficulty

Find trails matching your skill level:

query FindModerateTrails {
  trailsByDifficulty(level: MODERATE) {
    name
    distanceKm
    difficulty {
      scrambleClass
      exposureLevel
      routeFinding
    }
    terrain
  }
}

Trail Networks

Explore trail connections and branches:

query ExploreTrailNetworks {
  trails {
    name
    trailType
    end {
      name
      type
    }
    branches {
      trail {
        name
        end {
          name
        }
      }
      distanceFromStart
      connectionType
    }
  }
}

Submitting Trip Reports

Help the community by sharing your trail experiences:

mutation SubmitReport {
  submitTripReport(
    trailId: "parker-ridge",
    date: "2024-06-20",
    conditions: "Trail clear to treeline, snow above 2400m",
    hazards: ["ICY_SECTIONS", "AVALANCHE_RISK"],
    photos: ["https://example.com/photo1.jpg"]
  ) {
    date
    conditions
    hazards
  }
}

Tips for Success

Next Steps

Safe travels and enjoy the mountains! 🏔️