Book Description
On the legendary John Muir Trail you pass through a land of 13- and 14,000-foot peaks, deep canyons, massive granite walls, and sparkling lakes. Here's the best guide to this 211-mile hiking wonderland, written by two of WP's most venerable authors. 28 2-color maps are based on corrected, updated USGS topo maps.
Customer Reviews:
greaat detail, could be better.......2007-08-23
Took this guide along on my recent JMT hike. Lots of detailed info on the trail, campsites, etc. Topos included, although the printing of these is a bit fuzzy so would recommend carrying the Harrison topo map set. Information provided was fairly accurate. Would be nice to include a table with cumulative distances and ascent/descent for the points of reference along the actual trail itself. As it is they only provide the elevation and the distance between points of reference. Distances provided didn't match the Harrison topo maps or the other trail guide we had on the trip, so much confusion in this respect for mile counters. Overall a very useful guide. I found it a bit hard to use to plan the trip since the descriptions of the campsites were not too detailed (poor, modest, spartan, good is about as descriptive as it gets in this regard).
Just o.k. .......2007-07-05
This book really is not much more than a turn by turn description of the trail. In that regard, it provides little in the way of interesting prose to prepare you for the trip. So, basically, you pretty much have to carry this book with you to get much use out of it. Its informative sure, just not what I'd expect. Also, the maps in the book are black and white and much much much too small to actually read/use easily--buy the Tom Harrison maps for the JMT.
Old Reliable.......2006-07-06
In 1981 I took the first edition of this book on a traditional north/south thru hike of the JMT and found it generally accurate and, most importantly, reassuring about the day(s) ahead. In preparation for a 25th anniversary reprise (this time south to north) I got the latest addition. About the only real difference is that the format is a little larger and the small inset maps are a little easier to read.
As a trip planner and inspiration it rates right up there with Pete Starr's guide and the author, Tom Winnett, has probably forgotten more about the eastern Sierra than most of the more "modern" writers ever will know...BUT, it is a somewhat historical work and one needs to acquire proper USGS topos to insure having the most up to date maps available. If you're only going to carry one "pack book" with you I'd suggest "The John Muir Trail" by Alan Castle first with Winnett's and Starr's as pre trip reading material that you leave at home.
The JMT is one of the most spectacular high country routes one can undertake and I can honestly say that trip 25 years ago changed my life. If you can manage it and you have the desire, it's well worth the sacrifices (and there will be some) you'll make.
Mediocre Guidebook.......2005-12-31
A disclaimer: I have not used this book to hike the JMT.
The trail description seem adequate, as far as I can tell.
The maps seem small, though how much area they cover is unclear since there is no scale. There is no indication of mileage, and side trails are not shown except where they appear on the underlying USGS topos (and how accurate are those?).
The brief introductory section has nothing I don't already know, or couldn't find out from a quick google search. The section on bears basically repeats the NPS line (ie, 'canisters and bear boxes are the only way!!'), and is followed by a note to "leave your pets at home" (huh?).
The most useful section to me (sitting on my butt at home) was the appendix on resupply options. This is the most comprehensive list of stopping points that I've seen. Contrary to what I've heard elsewhere, there are resupply options in the South, just not easy ones. My only problem is with the occasional use of the word 'access', as in "Access to Big Pine" (a mile down the road? 25 miles?), though most of the entries are ok.
Overall, I think this book is usable, but I would bring a supplementary map or maps, and I would look at other books before I attempt the JMT.
WORST GUIDEBOOK EVER WRITTEN-DANGEROUS!.......2004-08-07
DO NOT EVEN LOOK AT THIS VILE,PESTILENT BOOK! IT WILL GET YOU LOST IN THE WILDERNESS! The author may be a very fine fellow, and is probably a better backpacker than I am, but he can NOT tell anyone how to get from point A to point B. I wasted days getting lost from this awful book, as he yakked endlessly about flora, fauna, and geology. Meanwhile, you the sucker stand there at unmarked trail intersections getting no help. Do NOT follow the author's dangerous contention that you don't need maps if you buy this book-its maps don't show you the OTHER trails, and get you lost. The Tuolomne and Devil's Postpile sections just may constitute the worst writing of all time.
Amazon.com
Fraternal coauthors John and Marc Soares celebrate the beauty of Northern California's extensive wilderness, drawing from a varied collection of treks in the Sierra Nevada, Cascade, Coast, and Klamath Mountain ranges as well as the San Francisco Bay Area. Hike selections include the long trek to Caribou Lake that takes you "deep into the heart of the Trinity Alps"; the easy three-hour hike to Peener Lake; the trail to Cinder Cone, which leads you to surreal painted dunes; and the "isolated Lost Coast, "one of the most coveted get-away paradises in the country." Like the other volumes in the 100 Classic Hikes series, this easy-to-use guide includes at-a-glance information detailing trail length, hiking time, difficulty, seasonal considerations, and additional contacts. Color maps and commentary on each trail offer directions to trail heads, campsites, views, and swimming holes. Amateur botanists will appreciate the notes on trees and wildflowers, including the rare red snow plant. --Jenny Burritt
Customer Reviews:
Nice photos and narrative, but lacking in practical aspects.......2004-04-13
I agree with the other reviews in that this is a nice book to put on your coffee table and flip through. The photos are pretty nice, and the text descriptions make for a pretty entertaining read. However, if you are looking for a book with detailed logistics and good makes that will make for a practical companion on your hikes, this is NOT it. The maps are lacking (maps of the actual trails are decent, but there are no regional maps that aid you in finding the trail in the first place). Also, while the glossy paper makes for pretty photos, it's far too heavy for a practical guidebook that you'll want to carry with you.
Excellent guide!.......2003-07-07
This is a good "inspirational" book to look through, with great full-color photographs on at least every other page. It's great for planning a vacation around because it gives you a taste of what many different areas look like. The written information is equally good, with lots of great hikes with short, concise descriptions. With this and a local topo map, you're all set.
Best Hiking Book Ever.......2003-06-13
I love this book. The photographs make me want to visit every place and hike every trail. I have several hiking books, and I enjoy them all, but I love this one. I am hoping that John and Mark Soares are working on hiking books for Oregon!
Can't be topped.......2002-11-07
This is an exceptionally well-designed book for hikers across the spectrum. Whether you're a neophyte or have climbed Denali, this book contains all the essential information you need to tackle the hikes listed. The photos are all in color and are breathtaking! You really get a sense of what each hike will look like before you undertake it. Every hike also has a color map to accompany the text description. The maps are easy to follow and instructive.
Equally pleasing is that the authors take the time to describe each hike in extensive detail, though they are never wordy. They list the elevation gains, give succinct but necessary directions to each trailhead and provide ample analysis of the strengths/weaknesses of each trek. The book is small and light enough to carry in your backpack, if you feel the need to consult it while on the trail.
I have over 50 hiking books in my library and it would be hard to imagine a more complete, more photographically stunning or better written guide. I enthusiastically recommend this gem!
The photos alone are worth the price of the book.......2000-08-18
I just got this book. It is the most beautiful hiking guide I've ever seen. There are nearly a hundred full-color photos, and even the maps are creatively colored. We leave it on our coffee table for easy perusal. It's an updated edition of 100 Hikes in Northern California, and it has thorough descriptions of all my favorite hikes, and many others my wife and I are planning to do this winter (in the Bay Area) and next summer (in the Sierra Nevada and maybe in the Trinity Alps). We have two other hiking books on Northern California, but this one is definitely our favorite. If you are only getting one hiking guide for the north state, this is it.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect condition and perfect timing!.......2007-03-13
This is a great book. A friend and I had a trip to Big Sur planned and the book came several days before so that I was able to study up and enjoy the area even more!
Very Good.......2006-12-09
This book isn't great, but it is very good.
Pros
1. It is inspiring. I feel like I want to go do the hike after I read the description
2. Good pictures. Some have people in them and these are done very well.
3. Good descriptions. These aren't little one page jobs.
Cons
1. Pictures - The pictures are black and white, not color and I think color pictures can mean everything. But this does not detract that much from this fine book
Clear, On Track, Vital.......2006-08-28
The book was wonderful to have on our trip to the Central Coast. Objective information with enough opinion and subjective information to help us decide where, how, when for each hike. The back of the book with the top list organized by theme was very helpful. One way the book could have been better is with a cross-reference chart... so if you want both "ocean" and "redwoods" as themes you could look it up, instead of a bunch of page flipping. The author does a good job appealing to a wide range, level of hikers, rare in a guide book.
Book Description
The inspiring story of a 4300km solo hike from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail.
Despite never having hiked before, George Spearing decides to take 'leave of absence' from his job as a firefighter in the New Zealand Fire Service and walk the length of America.
Travelling entirely on foot and off road, George's five month journey takes him through the desert areas and High Sierra Nevada of California, the Cascade ranges of Oregon and Washington, and finally emerges in the Okanogan Forest of British Columbia, Canada.
The diverse mix of dry Mojave desert, High Sierra snows and the characters and wildlife met along the way, provide an often humorous look at the US and its wilderness through the eyes of a New Zealander.
The lively and easily read style, including illustrations, will appeal to both adventurer and armchair adventurer alike.
Follow the adventure from its inception on an Auckland, New Zealand Fire Station, to its culmination in British Columbia, Canada. Traversing 40 Wilderness areas, 24 National Forests, 7 National Parks, 3 State Parks, 19 major canyons and climbing 57 mountain passes, the epic journey takes the reader from near sea level at the Mexican border to 13,200 ft at Forester Pass in the snowbound High Sierra. An entertaining and inspiring read for anyone contemplating hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, or for anyone who just enjoys a good adventure story.
Customer Reviews:
Inspirational Journey.......2007-08-15
Now I want to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. The story is well told, a real page turner. Well written, very interesting, and an inspiration for getting myself on a trail.
Long on Kiwi humor; short on backpacking narrative and photos.......2007-06-26
This book was an easy read, but disappointing in its lack of photos and descriptions of life on the trail and destinations seen.
A bit disappointing.......2007-06-19
Although I commend the author for his courage and humor, some things about the book distracted from reading pleasure. This read like a self-published book (maybe it is) that had not been edited at all. There were no paragraph indents, and many sentences were run-on (strung together with commas when there sould have been a period). I'm not a stickler about grammar, but this was distracting and made it hard to read. There was also a problem with tense and scenes suddenly switching. For example, in a camping scene, the author would suddenly mention that he saw 3 bears while camping, but it turned out that this was referring to something that would happen several chapters later, so that during the present scene I would wonder, "Where are the bears?" Often I would hope for an interesting scene only to be disappointed by a blow by blow of each day and night on the trail (including the days where nothing really happened). If you can deal with the amateur style, you may enjoy this book.
A Must For Any PCT Dreamer.......2007-01-23
My favorite aspect of this book is how the reader sees America (and the PCT) through the eyes of a humorous New Zealander. George's writing is a pleasure to read. I especially enjoyed the passage where he describes exactly why he hiked the PCT. He had obviously done a lot of thinking over the many miles he walked and had come up with a beautiful way to express the exact reasons as to why he would walk 20+ miles a day for five months.
The only aspect of the book I didn't like was that, towards the end, Spearing seems to be a bit tired of writing a book and resigns to simply listing the names of the wilderness areas he visits. This is in stark contrast to the excited, witty and funny tone taken earlier in the book.
Regardless of this, I thoroughly enjoyed Spearing's book. If you are at all interested in hiking the PCT, I'm sure you will like his book too.
Buy this book! You'll be happy you did.......2006-10-13
I shot right through the book and finished it off in short order. The reason, of course, was that I found it to be very interesting, humorous to the point of frequent guffaws and snickers, and inspirational. I truly believe that only those with physical and mental toughness have a chance to actually complete a thru-hike in one season. Add to that the perils of heat, cold, rain, snow, lack of water, scrapes, bruises, sprains or broken bones, loneliness, missed food drops, leaking canteens, dried-up water sources, high-altitude problems, indistinct trail markings, wildlife (bears and rattlers, e.g.) and a host of other perils, and it becomes apparent that one also has to be very fortunate and resilient to get through. I believe the odds are really stacked against success, and that is why stories such as George's are so uplifting. Add to all that, the fact that he was half a world away with very limited resupply support, and it became an incredible undertaking. I had originally thought that perhaps the next edition should include a dictionary of terms, so those of us unfamiliar with his particular way of expressing various words would be able to zero in on the meaning. In retrospect, however, I also believe that having to guess at the meaning adds to the magic, entertainment and humor of the story. Thanks again, George, for the great read. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors, adventure, and human triumph.
Book Description
People travel from all over the world to stand on the summit of Mt. Whitney (14,496Õ), the highest point in the contiguous United States. Miles of rugged granitic terrain, blue-green lakes, and impressive ridges are just some of the awesome vistas awaiting those who make it to the top.
Peter Croft, winner of the American Alpine ClubÕs Underhill Award for outstanding achievement in mountaineering, has updated this new edition for every level of climber: how to get the most out of your conditioning; prepping for overnight trips; dayhiking the main Whitney Trail; the North Fork approach; Whitney from other passes; cross-country routes; and challenging technical routes for advanced climbers.
Written and published in the Eastern Sierra, Climbing Mt. Whitney has sold more copies than any other guide to the peak, standing on its own merits as the best Whitney trail guide of all time. Approved by the USFS.
Customer Reviews:
I've not been there yet but.............2007-01-20
I have read another book on Mt Whitney, (which is ok), but this one is far more informative and in depth. The trail descriptions are really good and there is an underlying enthusiasm from the author which is infectious.
The proof of all this pudding will be in June 2007 when I will be trekking my way to the summit, guided by the trails detailed in this book.
I will try to return and re-review post trek.
re: climbing Mt. Whitney.......2006-09-07
This book was very accurate & informative. I even used it for reference when I actually did the hike.I had never undertaken a hike of this magnitude before but with the accurate trail & milage description, plus the tips for training & altitude sickness, ( I came from the flatland), I was able to successfully complete & summit the hike strong & in the time frame I had anticipated.
Best Whitney guide out there.......2006-07-02
I have both the 1997 and 2005 editions of this guide. How do you improve an already great guide? Ask climber Peter Croft to coauthor. Recommending any guide book with Croft as a coauthor is pretty much a no-brainer. So HIGH-FIVE for CLIMBING MT. WHITNEY.
It has all the standard routes from every other pass, east south, west, north. The new edition has routes not covered in any other Whitney guide including Croft's personal creations. Bored? Try one of Croft's circumnavigational routes. They aren't necessarily technical but just incredibly physically challenging. He's a North Face athlete and one of a handful of folks awarded the American Alpine Club's Underhill Award for Outstanding Achievement in Mountaineering. He knows what he is talking about.
The info on training for high-altitude with a route up White Mountain Peak, Whitney's 14,246' neighbor to the east and DIAMOX (also in the Benti/Wheelock 1997 edition) was very helpful especially for a friend. She's a great climber, but every time we go to altitude, she gets puking sick. Based on the advice in Climbing Mt. Whitney, she got a prescription for DIAMOX (Acetazolamide). She went from miserably sick and a potential liability on altitude climbs to practically running up routes and eating lunch on the summit of anything over 11,000-feet. Physical exertion/mountaineering = lactic acid. Flushing it out of the cells as fast as you can to keep from getting sick on a tight time schedule at elevation is what it's about. Any Physiology 101 student will tell you that. Our climbing crew was stunned by the change in our friend's performance. Climbing Mt. Whitney was the first Whitney guide to even talk about Diamox as an alternative to sleeping at elevation a few nights before, which just doesn't work for many folks who are usually coming up from sea level and just don't have the time.
This guide does emphasize the importance of drinking clean water so the warnings on giardia are key. Filtered water means the dif between puking up stomach lining on some hospital bed (been there, done that) and a successful trip in and out of the backcountry.
Climbing Mt. Whitney is still the best Whitney guide out there.
Great Book!.......2006-06-29
Croft & Benti's Climbing Mt. Whitney book was so helpful in planning our climb of Whitney via the Mountaineers Route. Instead of descending via the Whitney Trail back to the Portal, we used one of Croft's four loop routes and returned to the North Fork drainage via the John Muir Trail, pass Guitar & Arctic Lakes, then back to the North Fork drainage via Whitney/Russell Col. We found this new book to be a vast improvement over any other Whitney book just because of Croft's new take on challenging hikes in the region. Croft is a hilarious writer and his sense of humor was a great treat. His route additions make this book stand out above the competition.
This book is a disappointment.......2005-11-23
With all the Mt. Whitney books out, there is little here that is new. And what does appear elsewhere, such as in the Thompson-Newbold or Richins books, is often covered better in those other sources.
There is unwarranted hyperbole: On Giardia and E. coli, "our streams and lakes are filled with these nasty bugs." And eyebrow-raising phraseology: "From late July to the end of September, technical climbing gear is generally not needed on the Whitney Trail" and "Bivy sacks slip right over a sleeping bag and are roomy enough to allow the user to cook a meal...."
An example of wrong information: "Diamox...helps flush lactic acid out of the body" purportedly explains why it helps prevent altitude sickness. But Diamox's actual mechanism of action is to inhibit carbonic anhydrase, which in turn counters the acid-base imbalance produced by altitude hyperventilation.
More attentive editing would have helped. For example, Croft's encounter with an enraged grouse is hilariously related on page 67. But it is repeated on page 94, and it's not needed in both places.
While there is more to fault, much in the book is correct and to the point. Unfortunately, the novice reader is not in a position to make the distinction.
The first third of the book covers history-both natural and mountaineering-and these are well done. A nice touch is the final chapter, a Norman Clyde narrative. And Glen Dawson's Foreword is a delight. Finally, a good bibliography is included-somewhat uncommon in mountaineering guidebooks.
Customer Reviews:
Best backpacking guide for your money..........2007-07-29
Planning a trip using another guide made me realize how good this book is. The first reason is the elevation profiles at the start of each trip that tell you how high and low you'll be--something good to know this summer when the temperatures at the lower sites (like Yosemite Valley) exceeds 100 degrees. Second, the authors tell you exactly what it is like to hike the trail, from one landmark to the next, without extraneous commentary. Seems like a simple enough formula but only these guys get it right.
A California Backpacker's Classic - bigger and better........2005-10-14
I finally replaced my 1988 5th edition with the current 9th edition by Kathy Morey, Mike White and the usual Wilderness Press accomplices.
It is physically larger and heavier, but I have finally realized that it is ok to cut out just the trip I am doing and take it with me, so weight is not an issue.
There are a couple of big improvements. The most significant one for me is the organization by major highway. i. e. Interstate 80 trips, Highway 89 trips, Highway 50 trips, etc. Makes it much easier to select possible trips for a short amout of time off. The other improvement is the use of text on grey background to indicate such things as chapter tabs, Notes that are a supplement to the trail text and so forth. It makes the book more interesting to the eye.
The maps in my 5th edition were in a pocket at the back of the book. Now they are a full page in imbedded in the text with the associated trail description. They still have the trail elevation profiles that are still an important part of my trip planning. The bigger book size allows more and larger black and white photos.
On the trail descriptions themselves, I have recently hiked all the PCT segments, and reading after the fact, find the descriptions accurate. On all the Wilderness Press guides, I sometimes find myself puffing up a steep grade and thinking "why didn't they tell me about this?". Assume that the descriptions are done by an experienced, acclimated hiker and don't assume the first day or two will be easy
A friend just told me about a new hiking area where he had found a great view, so I looked up Thunder Mountain in Sierra North, and found out all about it.
They have GPS waypoints on the trailheads. I find that where I need them is on these obsure trail junctions - maybe something for the 10th edition.
Definitely a good book for your hiking shelf.
Book Description
Aimed at serious outdoor lovers, the described routes assume some familiarity with backpacking. The trips range from one night to two weeks, and cover the Coast Ranges from Mexico to Oregon, the Sierra Nevada, the Cascades, and the Warner Mountains, including portions of the Pacific Crest Trail, the High Sierra Trail, and the John Muir Trail. Some are old favorites, others are published here for the first time.
Brief biographies introduce you to the venerable Wilderness Press authors who will be your guides. Their unique and personable styles reflect a labor of love, and their helpful tips reveal extensive backpacking expertise.
Edited by Paul Backhurst, trail descriptions are arranged in a clear and readable format. Each trip includes a trail map showing the trailhead, route, and terminus; campsites; mileage; and an at-a-glance hiking difficulty chart.
Customer Reviews:
below standards of other books in series.......2007-09-04
Obviously, I'm not happy with this book. I have 6 books in this series titled backpacking by Wilderness Press. Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and now California. I believe I use these books for their intended purpose, to evaluate and plan a backpacking trip, not necessarily needing to be from the area. Most of the books in the series, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Idaho follow a standard. These books give elevation gain for each day, shuttle mileage listed easily, and score for scenery, solitude, and difficulty. These books display a trip summary chart which is very nice. Also, their maps list mileages on the map along with frequent elevation along the route, except for Idaho. All these things are missing in the California book, which is what made the above books so good. In addition, over 15 of the hikes in my opinion are not backpacking trips, they are just day hikes. This was what I was trying to get away from in the Falcon guide books. California for some reason just had to be different, maybe it's because of all the different contributors, instead of just one. Either way it's a let down, and the Wilderness Press should stick to the previous standard that made Douglas Lorain's Backpacking books so great.
Useful Backpacking Planner.......2006-11-12
I've done trip 7(The San Bernardino Mountain Traverse) and trip 22 (Mineral King to Little Five Lakes) since receiving this book in August. I've found the trip descriptions accurate, up to date and, most importantly, enthusiastic. That feature has prodded me to go from "gee, it'd be nice to be out in the backcountry" to actually doing it more often. I find that the difficulty ratings are a little overdone, but, especially for newbies, that's probably the safest course. Also, the "variations" sections are skimpy ("Reverse the directon of this route") or nonexistent. All in all, a great guide to some of the most beautiful and challenging backcountry on the planet! I'll consult it before planning any Sierra trip.
Best Backpacking Trips.......2005-10-26
I've been a fan of Wilderness Press since the early 70's. This book presents some of the best trips in California, several of which I can personally vouch for.
THE Premier, Single Reference, CA Backpacking Guide .......2005-05-21
After several years of planning trips with topos, multiple books, websites and word of mouth recommendations I discovered this book. It turned out that every trip I had done, heavily considered, or that was on my "to do" list was included. Any book that tries to cover a topic as broad as "Backpacking California" is going have limitations - but the authors pick the absolute best of the coast, Desolation, south Cascades, Tahoe, Yosemite, Kings/Sequoia, Ansel Adams, Inyo and more. There is also good variety of distances and almost a third of the trips are loops. The maps are very good and trail statistics are helpful. My only complaint is the absence of elevation profiles (a total gain/loss number is offered) so the "Sierra South"/"Sierra North" books make good companions to this one. However, if you are going to own just one backpacking guide for your first 5 years of backpacking in CA or are just visiting and want to pick from the best, this is the book to have.
Great book!!!.......2003-04-09
I've always been a fan of Wilderness Press books and this one won't disappoint! I used this book to help plan a trip to Lost Coast (Oct '02), but had to change plans at last minute when I got to Calif. We did the Lassen Loop also described in the book and it was great. Highly recommend this book.
Customer Reviews:
The Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country.......2007-03-09
A FANTASTIC book about an awesome wilderness area! This is a must do hiking trail for me. I bought my brother this same book and I'm already planning our hike.
Wonderful off-trail hiking in the Sierra.......2006-04-06
This book is the ideal companion for everyone who likes walking off-trail on uneven terrain with a heavy pack. We used it last summer to hike a section of "the high route" (from devils postpile to tuolumne meadows) and it was so marvelous, we are going back this summer for another section. Roper gives exactly the amount of indications needed for a successful trip, although some experience in off-trail mountain-hiking is required. The high route is not trivial, even if no technical climbing is involved. The only thing: for most people it doesn't matter to have a single connected route. It would be nice to have other (shorter) routes in the same style, which are not necessarily connected. Maybe in another book? I don't know of anything comparable.
Great book for the strong willed.......2000-11-28
My girlfriend and I recently took some of Ropers advice on a Mt. Conness Loop 5 day hike in Yosemite. It was an increadible trip. Roper gives just enough hints to get you there but few enough to make it still feel like exploring. Be advised however when he referes a section of your hike as 'adventurous' or 'exciting' he means it. We pushed ourselves to the physical and mental limit on this trip.
practical guide to an undescribable experience.......1999-12-23
This book outlines a magnificent experience following an off-trail, higher version of the Muir Trail through the High Sierra. We have followed most of Roper's route over several years: sometimes we thought we were lost or overwhelmed, but it always turned out fine, and usually excellent. He treads a fine line between complete instructions that would allow no mistakes, and an experience that gives the hiker their own opportunity for route-finding, discovery, and growth. This is one of our favorite books, and we keep an intact copy plus another one torn apart for each journey and sometimes given away to people met along the way who need it. We still travel the trail some of the time, but genuinely value this alternative farther away from the crowds.
A good book.......1999-10-14
I made good use of this book to plan a wonderful cross-country trip in the Sierra. Roper was kind of vague at times, but I never got lost.
The route he described was breath-taking. I intend to use this book to plan next summer's trip.
Book Description
Our bestselling guidebook explores San Diego County with its wealth of natural scenery-unspoiled coastal canyons, pine-crested mountains, and spectacular desert landscapes. 220 hiking trips are organized by geographical areas, each with an accurate map.
Customer Reviews:
You'd be Surprised what San Diego has to offer.......2007-01-10
You'd realy be surprised to find out what San Diego has to offer in the way of hiking and trails. This book is your guide for those trails. From a 90 foot Waterfall (Cedar Creek Falls) to many other wonderful hikes. I highly recommend this book if you want to learn more about hiking in San Diego.
terrific book.......2006-11-07
There is an art to describing hikes in a succinct yet useful manner. Like with movie reviews, you don't want to give everything away, but you want to give the reader enough information to decide if the subject matter interests him enough into going to experience it for himself. Jerry Schad is THE master. It is simply amazing how much information he can pack into so few words. Once you do a few of his hikes, and reread his descriptions, you can quickly learn what exactly he means by certain turns of phrase and the like. This is because while English (or any language) is a poor tool for communicating this type of information, it's all we've got when reading a book. But what Schad does is describe practically every worthy hike in San Diego County in a consistent fashion, so you can apply what you learn he means by a certain description for one hike that he uses for another hike.
San Diego County is an amazingly diverse area of natural wonder. To discover it without Jerry's help would be very difficult. I strongly recommend his book for anyone interested in such a discovery.
However, I do recommend that you take several 1-star hikes before going on to a 2-star, and several 2-stars, before a 3-star, etc., primarily to learn how to read and use the book most effectively. Picking up the book and planning a 5-star hike before going through the rest of the process is NOT recommended.
Have fun!
Best "one-stop-shop" for hiking.......2006-02-25
This book is the best hiking book I have come across, and I have many. Not only is it well planned out, with attached maps, and hikes separated by areas, but it also grades the level of difficulty very accurately. As for the comment on this book being old and vague on location... well, it's not designed to be an all encompassing guide, and you will have to dust off your map or Map Quest the locations.
We just recently moved to San Diego, and it's been a great source in discovering all the area has to offer, I feel that without it we would have missed out on so much.
good guide to have.......2005-09-10
My co-worker was telling me about all the wonderful waterfalls and boulders that he saw when he was hiking, and he told me that he learned about the trails from this book. I immediately ordered it, and so far, it has been handy to have.
Each trail is labeled with its difficulty, length, and even the best times to go. The descriptions are very useful and are pretty accurate.
Afoot and a Feel for San Diego County.......2005-09-06
Exhaustively researched, comprehensive, with good descriptions of why you'd want to pick a certain hike, so you'll know what you've got to look forward to.
This may be the only book you'll ever need on the subject, but it's not the only thing to take on a hike: you'll need that most uncommon of things, common sense" -- and that means you'll also need to bring a MAP and water, and the rest of the "Ten Essentials."
Remember, it doesn't replace a USGS or topographic map, let alone good hiking sense. It's "just" a trail guide, albeit the best one the county has had for about 20 years. And frequently and responsibly revised, too. No guidebook, or map, is of much use unless you know how to use it: a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, right?
Don't expect too much. With San Diego's exploding population, your enjoyment of trails can alter seasonally with use, let alone by weather. Schad makes every effort to anticipate your tastes when he describes a trail, when it's best to go, what you'll get most out of a hike. You'll learn how to make your hikes match your tastes the more you use this excellent book. And you'll learn to appreciate, up close and personal, the scenery of the climate you moved here for.
San Diego county has great places to explore, and a wide range of habitats: from coastal to montane, to high & low desert. Most of it makes great scenery, but up close it can be intimidating. Schad's book won't let that stop you.
Most trails, even those in state or county parks, are not well marked except at trail heads (about what you should expect when park budgets are so meager these days).
This book and a topographic map are just the things to reawaken a sense of purpose, and to give our desires a sense of direction. And these, in turn, unlock our sense of beauty and wonder.
San Diego deserves nothing less from its inhabitants, and they and it deserve nothing less than such a resourceful book as this.
Book Description
Hiking California's Golden Trout Wilderness will help outdoor enthusiasts choose and plan a day hike or backpacking trip in the Golden Trout Wilderness or South Sierra Wilderness best suited to their time, energy, experience, and personal preferences. It offers a preview of what they are likely to see and experience along their chosen route: geological features, historical sites, trees, birds, flowers, and mammals. It helps readers anticipate places where the trail is faint, where it is clear, where and when rivers and streams are special sources of delight, or where there may be obstacles to travel. There are 43 specially selected backcountry adventures meticulously prepared by backcountry guide Suzanne Swedo.
Inside readers will find: detailed maps, accurate route profiles showing the ups and downs of each hike, tips on equipment, trip planning, hiking with dogs and children, accurate directions, difficulty ratings, trail contacts, and more.
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Books Index
Books Home
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General
| Excursion Guides
| Hiking & Camping
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
The John Muir Trail: Through the Californian Sierra Nevada (Cicerone Guide)
John Muir Trail Map-Pack: Shaded Relief Topo Maps
Trout Fishing the John Muir Trail
Pacific Crest Trail Data Book: Mileages, landmarks, facilities, resupply data and essential trail information for the entire Pacific Crest Trail, from Mexico to Canada
The Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country
