Navigation software and hardware

[baggio16]

Basically, yes. But a little nuance:
1) As I mentioned I use an iPad Mini. I didn't mention that I use a Garmin Glo as an external GPS. I did this for a few reasons. One reason is that my iPad doesn't have onboard GPS, but the other is that it doesn't impact battery life of my iPad. You'll find that if you have GPS going on your iPhone all the time, it will eat through your battery. As long as you have the iPhone plugged in, it shouldn't be an issue for you, but something to keep in mind.
2) All you want to get is the coordinates of the beginning of the trail from AllTrails. Plug that into Waze to get to the trailhead. From there, you'll use the app to keep the nav arrow on the line on the map. Ideally (I've not used this app), there are waypoints at intersections that make it clear you need to do something other than continue on your current path.
3) You do not get turn-by-turn directions. Even if you download the Google Map, without a live connection to Google, you will not have turn-by-turn directions. Even then, Google would likely not route you along a non-road.

For Gaia, you have to discover trails by other means. You then upload GPX files to Gaia.

A few helpful links:
http://www.lifestyleoverland.com/this-is-the-best-outdoor-navigation-app-ever/ (overview of Gaia)
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/ask-me-about-gaia-gps.6959/ (more about Gaia)
https://www.trailsoffroad.com (trail discovery)
https://www.jeeptheusa.com/ (trail discovery - mostly western US)
https://funtreks.com/ (if you buy the SD card version, you'll get GPX files)

This is pretty much how I did it on my trip to Alaska. I had all my maps downloaded to the iPad before I started. GAIA is amazing. If you have the premium subscription, you can download the national forest roads/backroads of most of North America. It was fun finding that random in the middle of nowhere road that sometimes lead to amazing discoveries. I used most of the those links to plan the trip. Also, if you have a Garmin Inreach (loved this thing for out of service areas), you can download the topo maps to the app.

I also have a Garmin Drivetrack 71 that I would create turn by turn directions with (that was really complicated at first). That came with topo maps.

For a Colorado trip, I used the trailsoffroad.com website, downloaded the gpx files and put them into GAIA any my Garmin. There's also a great trail book for Colorado that we used (I can't remember the name right now). Don't discount the nav in the Jeep (if you have the 8.4"). I was pleasantly surprised how much detail that had.

This was the setup I had for Alaska. I'm debating on adding one of the rail systems for next summer's adventures.

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[peterkahan]

Consider downloading offline maps for your area in advance using apps like Google Maps or Maps. me, and make sure your dedicated GPS unit has preloaded maps for offline navigation.