Product Description
When a little girl asks her mother about princesses, she learns that they are much like herself. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

every girl is a princess
I have two grand daughters that are very different I have one that is a "girlie-girl" and then theres the one that is very ruff and tumble , this book shows that both of them are a princess in there own way. A princess can be all in pink and dresses with bows or be the girl that loves to ride motorcycles w/ dad and ruff house! LOVE IT!

Happy, uplifting, funny book for girls
This is a wonderful book.I bought it for a cousin and she loves it.Nice story, funny, good message.Wonderful book.

Great gift book
I've purchased this book for two young girls as gifts.At first I thought the book would be mostly about hiking, the outdoors, etc. but it is about a girl who wonders whether a lady-like princess would do things like skin her knees, have a messy room, do chores, etc.Overall, it's a cute story (told in rhyme) about all the fun and wonderful things in childhood that should be okay for any child to do, princess or not.

Still my favorite princess book for little girls.....
Finally, a book that debunks the old Princess stereo-type. Most little girls are into princess stuff and this book is a refreshing choice for adults who want to drive home a more wholesome princess point of view. She hikes, rides a bike (faste than the little boy on the block!) and eats her vegetables. If you are an aunt on a mission (like me), you will not be disappointed with the charming text paired with equally charming illustrations.

Not my favorite
Based on the positive reviews, I recently bought this book for a toddler who likes princesses and I was a bit disappointed.The concept is cute and illustrations are darling but the actual prose is not so good.The vocabulary choices seem so forced in order to make each question and answer rhyme.For instance: "Do princesses like to walk in the rain? They dance through the puddles without refrain!" or "Mommy, do princesses wear hiking boots? When they want to take the scenic routes". The phrases "scenic routes" and "without refrain" just seem like strange choices. I don't love the inconsistency that some of the answers are fragments and some are sentences.It also bothers me that some of the answers don't directly answer the question: "Do princesses cry and make a fuss? They have bad hair days just like us".What do bad hair days have to do with crying?Like another reviewer says, the story is fairly simple & ideal for a younger child, however the vocabulary and language is not so simple (and parts are just plain awkward). ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (11)

Good Book
I've used this book for multiple canyon hikes.Good reference with basic tips for what to pack and prepare for.

Informative & Educational - Grand Canyon Hikes
Great overview of hiking trails in the Grand Canyon, which makes trip planning very productive!Great overview that covers trailhead locations, hiking distances, elevation gain/loss, difficulty rating, general maps (still need detailed topo maps), water availability, landmarks, scenic highlights, etc.Great value!

Great book in print; Kindle edition, not so much
I've long thought that Hiking Grand Canyon is one of the best books about backpacking in the park. The PRINT edition is, at any rate. This review is of the Kindle version. This version preserves all of the text, but leaves out the maps that are critical to understanding the text. This is NOT apparent from the sample version of the Kindle edition, which includes the page with the map key, and includes several pictures (in grayscale, but discernible). I've brought my kindle along on some trips because it's lighter than a book, and I'd hoped that this version of the book would be worth having along. It is, but it's not what it really should be.

HUH?
My boyfriend and I visited the Grand Canyon two summers ago.
Strangely - I was expecting loads of information on hiking the Grand Canyon.I thought the hotel loby would be chaulk full of information.....it was not.

We sat in the lobby and got most of our useful information from some bus driver who told us which path is easiest and warned us to take toilet paper with us.That was something we had not thought of.

Next morning we waved off most of the rangers who tried to scare us away...and we commenced hiking down the Grand Canyon.We made it almost to the CO river when we decided that we had just about enough strength to make it back to the top.So I thought it would be a good idea to get a book that would tell us how to get down and get back up - without dying.

Unfortunately THIS BOOK is not about a tourist hiking the Grand Canyon.It is about a professional hiker camping out in the Grand Canyon and spending a lifetime taking routes from point A to point B - not necessarity leading up or down but many time Across.

TMI !!!Too many maps, too many trails, too many tips on pitching a tent and seeing snakes.I just wanted to go there book a room at the bottom and climb up the next morning.

If you want to spend the rest of your life in the Canyon this book will be a great guide.
If you want to tour the Grand Canyon by foot - find another book and let me know if it is helpful.

I still would like to make the journey.

best guide I've found so far...
I bought 6 different hiking guides on the GC to prep for a trip we are planning.This one by far had the most written info on each trail.Not a ton of pictures, but if you are looking for an in depth description of the trails, this is the book. ... Read more

Product Description
Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Get Started with Day-Hiking
Getting started with shorter hikes that allow you to sleep in your own bedat night.

Chapter 2: Hiking for All Ages and Types
Finding a satisfying trail whether you hike by yourself, with a partner, orin a group.

Chapter 3: Camping Overnight
The complete guide to a comfortable night's sleep at parks, campgrounds, andbackcountry tent-sites.

Chapter 4: Backpacking Basics
Getting deeper into the woods, mountains, or wherever you want to explore bycarrying everything you need on your back.

Chapter 5: Training Your Body for the Trail
Everyday fitness routines to get you in shape for any level of hiking.

Chapter 6: Never Get Lost (Again)
Easy-to-follow map, compass, and GPS tutorials to keep you on the righttrail.

Chapter 7: Essentials for Every Trip
The lifesaving gear you should never leave home without.

Chapter 8: Welcome to Gear World
Expert advice on how to buy high-quality and long-lasting equipment.

Chapter 9: Footwear Fundamentals
Finding hiking boots or trail shoes guaranteed to keep your feet happy andblister-free.

Chapter 10: Outdoor Clothing 101
Smart layering advice for weather that's either fair or foul.

Chapter 11: Hauling Your Gear: Daypacks and Weekend Packs
The surefire guide to finding and loading the ideal backpack.

Chapter 12: Shelter from the Storm
Building theperfect sleep system by combining tents, sleeping bags, and ground pads.

Chapter 13: The Outdoor Kitchen
Cooking advice and recipes to fuel every hike and hiker.

Chapter 14: Liquid Refreshment
Where to find water and how to make it safe to drink.

Chapter 15: Hygiene on the Trail
Sensible strategies to keep clean on the trail.

Chapter 16 How to Survive
The no-panic plan on how to respond when trouble arises.

Chapter 17: First Aid
The on-trail prescription to fix blisters, bumps, and bruises.

Chapter 18: The Wild Things
Keeping encounters with poisonous plants and wildlife at a safe but excitingdistance.

Chapter 19: High-Country Hazards
Hiking and camping tips for more challenging trails and terrain.

Chapter 20: Expanding Your Skills
Where to seek your next great adventure.
 
Appendixes
A Glossary
B Resources
C Equipment Checklists ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Fun book prepares you for anything
I thought this was a fun book and an enjoyable read!It really was written for someone like me who appreciated a thorough but basic explanation of hiking.It feels like the book covers everything hiking related.I learned a lot, especially about which clothes to choose for a hike and the book also debunks a number of outdoors lore.The author reiterates very practical tips (like always choose a leader when hiking in a group) and I feel well prepared for future hikes.It's great getting all this knowledge under my belt; I wish I had known these things years ago!

Great book
A must read book! for all your backpacking, camping and hiking adventures. In detail orientation of basics needs, do's and don'ts and so. I wish that were more images.

Great Guide Book for Beginners and Good Reference for the More Experienced
The best thing about this book is it clarity in describing how to do everything from the mundane to the complex.It does a great job of laying out the fundamentals and necessary equipment for hikers.
The book is definitely geared toward the more amateur hiker but I've been hiking for awhile now and still find it useful to look through this book and review what I'm doing.A lot of times I find alternative and more effective ways to do something (like lighting a fire with sticks arranged in log cabin form).
There is also a lot of good information on where to look for answers to more in depth or specific questions, so it's a great tool for the novice to develop from and a great reservoir of quick tips for the old hand.

Great for new and veteran hikers alike.
Although I'm an experienced hiker, I usually pick up the latest how-to books in hopes of learning something new. Unfortunately, most are horribly out-of-date or seem like they were written by someone who's never actually done any serious backpacking. Thankfully, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Backpacking and Hiking is not one of those books. Simply put, this author knows his stuff and is obviously an experienced backpacker who practices what he preaches.

The author packs a lot of relevant info into the book, covering everything from how to pick the right hiking boot to advanced survival skills and the latest gps navigation gadgets. While many books give a cursory look at hiking clothes (usually incorrectly suggesting cotton shirts, jeans, etc), Stevenson delves into the most up-to-date polyester blends and anti-microbial, anti-smell shirts that make for a much more enjoyable experience. This current, detailed treatment is applied to all beginner hiking subjects, in an easy-to-digest, conversational style that is a joy to read.

Most hiking how-to books read like research papers, often filled with extremely basic, oversimplified info that, quite frankly, offends the sensibilities of most seasoned hikers. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it tells you everything you need to know to begin backpacking and hiking, while providing much more in-depth knowledge in each chapter for those that want to take the hobby further. The advice is solid, current, tried and true, which makes it a great book for both new and veteran hikers.

Everything you need to know to enter the great outdoors
Finally, a useful hiking book that doesn't take itself too seriously!This book is easy to read and packed with information so you can keep it as a useful reference (not to mention a good size and weight so you can stick in in your pack).

If you are an extreme sports junkie looking to climb K2 this probably isn't the book for you.But if you are anyone else looking for an enjoyable trip to the wilderness I would highly recommend it.

I was an experienced hiker in my college days, but have been city bound ever since.Now I have a little boy and want to show him the outdoors.This book is a great refresher for me and easy to read.In fact, chapter 2 gives some great suggestions about the types of hikes and how to go about exploring the outdoors with people of all ages.

This guide has lots of good recommendations on how to research hikes, plan an appropriate route, and get the supplies you need.In particular I've found the supply check list and overview of the latest gear helpful, from fitting boots and backpacks to picking the right tent and stove.For trip planning there's a particular focus on making sure you don't get lost which will be reassuring for people new to hiking less well marked trails.

Well researched with lots of great references, from hiking maps and planning trips to getting the right gear without busting your budget, this is a great resource for getting into the great outdoors! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Hiking Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, 2nd (Regional Hiking Series)
The book did a great job describing and the hikes, what to bring, and what to encounter, however the estimated times for the hikes seemed to be a bit off.For example "Angels Landing" which is one of the most popular hikes in Zion is said to take only two hours.My friend and I literally ran to the top of it and back, taking 1 hour and 30 minutes, passing lots of people along the way.When looking at other sources for the duration of hiking times, they gave the same hike 4 to 5 hours.So to sum it up, the book give great advice on the hikes in Zion, just plan on them taking longer than the estimated time.

Excellent guide for hiking.
For the last 4 years, I've had a summer job at Zion and have used this guide in hiking all but 2 of the trails listed in here.The trail guides are accurate and give a person an excellent idea of how difficult a trail is along with how interesting it is.Take it with you.It will help.

Hike Zion with confidence
This guide book was extremely helpful especially for the relatively unused trails in the high country. I found the profile maps of each hike very helpful in planning for time and distance and elevation gain.

purchases
I am trying to get some background on the parks above and beyond what the official Park Service info is. I felt that this book provided more info.

Had it's points
The book was chock full of great ideas and valuable information. It list every conceivable day trip/hike that you could take. There is one negative to the book and that is that the cover leads you to beleve that it will be full of colored photos and it does not. Sure there are photos to peruse, but they are all in B/W. This was dissappointing. But, this travel guide is indeed full of helpful advice to aide a first time visitor. ... Read more

Product Description
Suitable for the novice and the experienced hiker alike, this comprehensive guide to north Georgia mountains is now better than ever.With the participation of the Georgia Conservancy, this book has been significantly revised, adding more than 50 new trails.Now arranged geographically and even more user-friendly, THE HIKING TRAILS OF NORTH GEORGIA features 144 hikes and offers information regarding environmental ethics, common terms and symbols, and mountain biking. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

a picture is worth...
While it's nice to know that this book covers many miles of trails (532 miles--it's in the preface), it is not very important. I agree with the other reviewers' comments on the "drawn while waiting for the light to turn green" maps; they hurt the book. My only other gripe is that, intentionally or not, the book is geared to folks who know where the hike "areas" are located. The book is organized by hiking area. I didn't don't know the areas, and so it is that I appreciate the approach in "50 Hikes in the North Georgia Mountains," by Johnny Molloy. His table of contents identifies the city closest to the hike, a big help for me.If, for example, you know the location of the Tray Mountain Area, you won't need to google-map as much as I did to plan my vacation. The two books complement each other.

Ordered a month ago, still not shipped?!?!
I ordered this as a gift a month ago--- and it is still not shipped. I won't be buying anything from this provider again!

Not what I wanted
I wanted a more comprehensive book. One that would give me all trails, long or short, in a given area. This book seems to focus on only the longer trails. I should have visited a local book store.

maps?
The trail descriptions in this book are great. The book may be worth buying for the descriptions alone. But there are only 11 (very) simple line drawing maps for 124 trails and there are no elevation diagrams whatsoever. In fact, you have to search each trail description if you want to find the elevation change. That information could have been displayed in the margin (which is how the author displayed information he thought was important). This book has 124 trails and therefore desperately needs a section classifying the trails in groups such as long, short, scenic, strenuous etc. The only trail classification in the book is with the very long trails. Another thing that should have been included was an overall map showing how the smaller maps relate to a map of northern Georgia. I ordered two other northern Georgia hiking books, which will hopefully fill in the details missing in this one

A good reference guide
This book was highly-recommended, and it does not disappoint. It provides useful maps and directions for locating trailheads, and detailed descriptions for planning short day hikes or longer multi-day treks for experienced backpackers.

A good reference guide for hikers living in the Atlanta area. ... Read more

Product Description
This guide features 82 hikes within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With over 800 miles of maintained trails within the park, author Kevin Adams guides hikers through the rugged landscape and dense vegetation of the Great Smokies so they can have an intimate experience and see everything they would want to see, right from an official trail. Clear and concise trail descriptions and brilliant photography will make this guide a requirement when heading into the backcountry of America's most visited national park.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Hiking Guide in Smokies
We used this product on a recent hiking trip to the Smokies.We felt it was pretty good, but the graphics, presented by some other hiking books of other hikers on the trip,were a bit superior.The author did not seem to like any discussion of the AT.

Handy and accurate
I bought this book for a vacation to the Smokys. I used it to pick the trails best suited for my ability's. I found it to be very accurate on its trail ratings and descriptions. A must have for improving the quality of your hikes.

Excellent Guide
Just got back from a trip to the Smokys where we spent three nights camping (Cosby campground) and two days hiking.This book was informative for pre-trip planning and very useful for choosing which trails you want to hike.I felt that the author's scale of "moderate" and "difficult" (we hiked one of each) was accurate and I also appreciated the step-by-step descriptions of the trails itself (when you're hiking along three different trails and come to several intersections, this is useful).
One reviewer noted that they were all day hikes - I was surprised by this, because I found several 1 and 2 over nighters that I'm tempted to invest in backpacking gear for and another 2-4 night hike that sounds like an awesome challenge.I think this book is very comprehensive, a good collection for the beginner, moderately-experienced and experienced day hiker, along with several ideas for backpacking trips.
This is an excellent hiking guide that I would recommend for anyone planning on hiking in the Smokys.

Best hiking book for Smoky Mts
This is by far the best hiking book we have ever found!We picked this book up about four years ago for a return visit to the Smokies.Since then, it is the book by which we judge all other hiking books.We own about a dozen covering six states, but this one is the best.The author does a great job listing the hikes in multiple, helpful categories (see the Trail Finder matrix near the front).The descriptions are an appropriate length, relatively accurate, and helpful along the trail.His directions to the trailheads are right on the mark.If you only intend to buy one hiking book for the Smokies, you won't go wrong with this one!

Smoky Mountain Hiking
Another awesome hiking book for the Smoky Mountains. My husband and I are using this book to plan our next overnight hike. The descriptions are great. The descriptions of the route to the trail heads and the parking areas are wonderful. Great book. Wouldn't plan another hike without it. ... Read more

Product Description
Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's GreatestHiking Trails ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Good Stuff!
Excellent book that covers most major highlights of hiking in NC. Gives great information such as directions to trail heads, maps, and detailed information about the parks and what to expect on the trail. Every time I read about a trail or park, I am ready to go! Thanks Randy.

Hike on......
All of Randy Johnson's books are very informative. The maps and driving directions are excellent and also the trail descriptions.

99.5/100
This is an excellent resource and planning guide. I have nothing to add to the earlier reviews, most of which are 5 stars.

The lack of GPS coordinates of the trailheads isthe one glaring deficiency and the reliance on another map resource is no substitute. The copy edit staff should have done their homework and inserted this information, since it could be done from their desks. It appears instead that they put their efforts into misleading advertising -

"Detailed trail descriptions, and GPS-compatible trail maps"

Nevertheless, I have since purchased extra copies for gifts.

A Hiking Guide for Hikers by a Hiker
Mr. Johnson's "Hiking North Carolina" is a guide for hikers by a lifelong hiker in the North Carolina High Country.North Carolina has hundreds of miles of hiking trail, and Randy has hiked most of them himself.The one risk of writing a guide about something you love so much, is to ruin the sense of adventure by including too much information.On the other hand, I have been hiking long enough to remember guides that would allow you to barely find the trailhead, much less give you good information about the trail and what you will encounter. There is a fine balance between a guide that tells too much, like the Appalachian Trail guides, and a guide that says too little, like some I see in popular magazines.I believe that Mr. Johnson's guide strikes a good balance between the two; telling you what you need to know while preserving the sense of adventure in the experience.It's the adventure that draws us into the woods after all.I recommend this guide for anyone who is interested in hiking in the state.His maps are quite detailed and well drawn, and his trail descriptions are enough to get you where you want to go without spoiling the fun of discovery.It is an excellent work and well worth including in your outdoor library.

Robert Branch
Burnsville, NC

A good starting point...
This was a good book for a general description of several trails in North Carolina, but didn't give many details.I think I was looking for something that would give me enough information to pick one trail out of them all to visit, but the brief descriptions didn't give me enough to go on.If you already know which trail you want to trek and it is one of the trails covered in the book, you're pretty well set.You will, however, need another map to know exactly how to get to that particular trail...the book has a map with a general location but no specific driving information. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Just the basics
I picked this book up as it was eligible for the 4 for 3 promotion.It covers the basics well, but doesn't go into as many specifics as I would like.If you have any real interest, you will quickly be through this book and looking for more detailed information.I suggest "The Backpacker's Field Manual" by Rick Curtis instead, as it is much more detailed and wont leave you unfulfilled.

Basic Information
I purchased this book because I'm new to backpacking, and haven't gone camping in years.I still remember most of my camp skills, so I wanted a reference for the light weight world of packing.
The book has good information in it, but I agree with a previous review when they say it's all information you can get from a google search.
I did like the gear guidance, and there were a couple tips I found useful.However I would recommend "Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book" instead of this one.It's got everything this start up guide has, and more.

Very Basic
Although there were a few things that I learned from this book, it's full of info that can be found virtually anywhere else. It didn't go into detail about certain things and raised more questions than it answered.

Great place to start!
Great for beginners, and may be food for thought for hikers with some experience. not only tells you what to do, but WHY. simple easy to read format. If you want to know where to start, this is a GOOD book!

Okay
I am a beginner hiker.I bought this book based on the price and recommendations from below.There isn't any information in this book that can't be found on hiking websites.I felt it was a waste of money.It wasn't bad, and if you know NOTHING about camping, it's a good place to start - but there are better resources out there. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (9)

hiking
very good from what i've seen so far.i would have liked to have the approximate time of the hike included.

the essential hiking guide for Glacier
Glacier National Park is for hikers. The drive-through approach along the historic and spectacular Going to the Sun Highway is wonderful and memorable (and can be done with the efficient shuttle system), but the real action is provided by getting into the backcountry. It is truly the "last best place"!

We have been visiting the Park every year since 1974, and this guide has become our trusted advisor for planning day hikes and overnight trips. During the summer, a copy is kept at our bedside in order to plan new ventures. Glacier can be a challenging park to hike with rapid weather changes and highly varied terrain.We view this guide as important to survival as gore tex, first aid, water bottles and broken-in footwear.

good guide to Glacierand Waterton trails
I do a lot of hiking in the national parks and rely on Falcon Guides for good trail information.I have the first edition of the Glacier/Waterton guide so I thought I would get the latest edition for a recent trip.I still like this edition, but I agree with some other reviewers that there are some disappointments.Gone are the elevation profiles (which give you a snapshot of the gain and loss for the hike).As also mentioned, now several trails are combined on one map (GPS-compatible).That actually proves useful when several trails are part of a larger trail system (e.g., the Grinnell Complex), but this can be confusing for other trails (not to mention a little harder to find the maps for individual trails).

The first edition didn't have an index, so having one here is a plus (even if, as someone else mentioned, it's not as good as the second edition's).The third edition also has a nice trail comparison (though it should have distances) indicating which trails have waterfalls, lakes, meadows, etc.This edition also has several more pages of general information than the first edition, and descriptions of two additional trails.Although most of the trail descriptions seem to be the same as the first edition, the pictures accompanying them are new (though still not that great because they are in black and white).

On the whole, I recommend this book if you don't have an earlier edition.If you have the first or second edition you can probably get by with them if you also check other sources for updated park information (such as the free shuttle on the Going-to-the-Sun Road).

not very helpful
I bought moon glacier and this book. I found that this book is useless because moon glacier covers a lot of good trails this book covers, and moon has other information. I think this book might be good for backcountry not for a day hike.

Simple trails and middle length trails are listed in moon glacier, and this book doesn't provide any other useful information about trails. The map is still not very clear. This book does list some very long trails, but usually you can search on internet to find this kind of information and even more specific.

I definitely would not recommend this book. Buy moon glacier instead!

Great, if you like lung busting hikes
This is more a backpacking book than a hiking book.I have an earlier edition, and the majority of hikes are long (5+ miles one way) with very large elevation gains.I've been to Glacier a number of times, and there are many short, nice hikes.Also, the edition I have has very few hikes in the Goat Haunt area.The ones that are included are very long lung busters.

There is a lot of good information for a 20 something hiker/backpacker.Not so great for a 50+ hiker like myself (who still is willing to take on a decent backpack or long hike, but doesn't wish to die too early). ... Read more

Product Description
Hiking Washington's History reveals the stories embedded in Washington's landscape. This trail guide narrates forty historic trails, ranging from short day hikes to three or four-day backpacking trips over mountain passes. Every region in the state is included, from the northwesternmost tip of the continental United States at Cape Flattery to the remote Blue Mountains in the southeast. Each chapter begins with a brief overview of the region's history followed by individual trail narratives and historical highlights. Quotes from diaries, journals, letters, and reports, as well as contemporary and historic photographs, describe sites and trails from Washington's past. Each trail description includes a map and provides directions, so hikers can follow the historic route. Judy Bentley tells readers how to get there, what to expect, and what to look for.

Despite Washington State's rapid growth, a remarkable number of historic trails have been preserved in national parks, restored by cities and towns, returned to public use by the railroads, or opened to hikers by Native American tribes. Some trails, such as the Iron Goat Trail, have been fully restored and interpreted. Others, such as the Naches Pass Trail, have been abused but survive. Some are easily accessible, such as the Duwamish River Trail in Seattle and the Spokane House trails near Spokane. Others, such as Chief Joseph's Summer Trail, require a half-day journey just to reach the trailhead.

Hiking Washington's History is for hikers, amateur historians, newcomers unfamiliar with the state's history, and Northwest natives who know only part of that history. Savor the vicarious experience of a hike from a cozy chair on a rainy winter day, or put your boots on and hit the trail when the sun shines.

Judy Bentley, who teaches at South Seattle Community College,is an avid hiker and the author of fourteen books for young adults.

"This book samples the landscape and history of the entire state, and is well organized, well researched, and well written. Its pages add a new dimension to hikes by linking our footfalls with those of the past." -Ruth Kirk ... Read more

Product Description
Blending sage advice with personal experiences and anecdotes, this unconventional book is an unusually thoughtful account of long-distance trekking on the Appalachian Trail. Mueser draws upon interviews and questionnaire data gathered from over 100 long distance hikers hoofing it through the Applachian Mountains. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Long Distance Hiking review
Very informative and easy reading. Good source for any hiker and especially those who do long distance hiking.

Thinking of Hiking the A.T.? Read this book!
I am Definatlly not an experienced hiker, but I will tell you that I got alot from this book.It answered questions I didnt know I should ask.This book should be a part of your reading if your thinking of hiking the A.T.. From equipment, to clothing, to personal experiences... I recommend this book, and also How to Hike the A.T. by Michelle Ray.

WOW!!! A non-fiction page-turner!
This is an interesting and easy to ready analysis of thru-hiking experiences on the Appalachian Trail.While some of the information (especially regarding equipment) is a little dated now (almost 20 years later), the lessons learned and the knowledge shared is incredible.

If you are planning or even just dreaming of thru-hiking the AT, you MUST read this book.First, once you start it, you will want to finish it.Unlike most non-fiction, where you may skip to only the interesting sections, this entire book is interesting.For one thing, it is well organized, and each section and chapter addresses an area of concern for thru-hikers.By leveraging the experiences of so many survey respondents, the author paints a broad picture of what life is like on the trail.

While the equipment recommendations are a little dated, it is useful to read what others used and found to helpful or not so much. While technology has advanced, many of the equipment questions that he addresses are still relevant (tent or not, stove, rain gear, water purification).The concepts that the book misses, such as the "ultralight backpacking" trend or the use of trekking poles, can be picked up by reviewing other interesting guides The Ultralight Backpacker : The Complete Guide to Simplicity and Comfort on the Trail.

While it may be years before I have the time to hike the AT from end-to-end, I felt that I was there while reading this book.It answered many of my questions when thinking about the complexity of a 6-month walk in the woods, and even provided some interesting information that I had not considered.For example, according to his survey responses, 60% of the hikers hiked alone (although never really alone, as it turns out).This was a concept I had not considered.

Read it.It will only take you a few days even at a leisurely pace, and you will not be disappointed!

Great Book
I found this book to be both scientific and faithful.The Author (Roland Mueser) had real experience from his life on the trail as well as statistics from the 136 people that also shared in his travels.I found the book to be both entertaining, and informational.Great read!See you on the Trail 2011, Thru-hiker!

Very Helpful
I would think this is one of the must reads if you are thinking about thru hiking the AT. ... Read more

Product Description
You might reasonably wonder why anyone would shoulder a heavy backpack, grab a walking stick and hike across Spain. Whatever happened to planes, trains and automobiles? But Father Dave Pivonka knew that the Camino, the ancient pilgrim path to the tomb of Saint James the Apostle in Santiago, offered an opportunity to focus on God in the stripped-down environment typical of the religious journey known as a pilgrimage. Father Dave takes you along with him, eager to show that God wants to take care of you whether or not you can see down the road or, if tired and sore, you re tempted to quit. His Camino hike holds real lessons for your own life s journey. Author: Father Dave Pivonka Publisher: Saint Anthony Messenger Press Format: Paperback, 135 pages ISBN: 9780867168822 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

More than just a 500 mile walk...
People of all faith backgrounds or even those with none at all will appreciate Fr. Dave's description of his 500 mile hike to the church Santiago De Compestela in Spain.There is a refreshing honesty throughout as the author considers, decides and ultimately takes the journey through the Spanish countryside with people from all over the world.Walking up to 23 miles a day, but usually less, the story moves along from stop to stop as Fr. Dave, his fellow priest, and the others along the trail share meals, lodging, and a small slice of their lives with each other.

The author describes the humble accomodations, the simple meals and the surprising fellowship among those on the journey.There is also Fr. Dave's reflections on his life as a priest in the Catholic Church, along with his doubts and struggles in his vocation.The book details both a physical as well as a spiritual journey.Those interested in reading about the physical journey will be surprisingly move by teh spiritual reflections while those interested in the spiritual side will likewise be entertained by the details of the journey itself.It's not a day-by-day diary so it's a fairly quick read and an enjoyable one.

hiking the camino
I just loved the personal testimony of this holy priest. It made me want to hike the camino as he did. It was a spiritual journey filled with poignent and comic situations.

Walking the Camino de Santiago [the way of St. James]
I have been reading and collecting books on the subject of the pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James in Santiago de Campostela, Galicia, Spain for a number of years.
I first went to Spain 36 years ago and have been back once. I hope to go again and walk at least part of the pilgrims' way across the north of Spain.It is what was called "the great pilgrimage of the Middle Ages."

This book, written by a priest who is a professor of theology is a wonderful example of the universality of human experience and the very special experiences of the individuals who walk the Way. ... Read more

Product Description
Each of these decks is packed with 50 hiking adventures and comes equipped with a handy clip-on carabiner for bringing cards along wherever the trail leads.

Take a hike and discover Northern California's breathtaking parks, forests, and more. With detailed topographic maps and instructions for 50 easy to moderate hikes, just clip on a card using the handy carabiner for easy reference along the trail.
Hikes include:
Yosemite
Muir Woods
Redwoods National Park
Napa Valley ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

My first hiking book thingy
Clever little map/book thing.The cards seem durable.There is a map on one side and a description of the hike on the other.Fairly compact and you can unhook the card you need and leave the rest in the car.Only issue was with the condition I got the cards in.The cards and hook were inside a box.However, the book dealer crammed the box into a small mailing container.The box was smashed - I ordered it for myself, but if I had ordered as a gift, there was no way I could have wrapped and given it as a gift.It was a mess.Luckily the cards where fine, no bends, etc.Shipping didn't take long though.Maybe seven business days.

Totally worth the price.I am planning a hike soon based on one of the cards.Happy ordering.

Awesome!
You cannot go wrong with this deck!My husband and I hike regularly and have been thrilled with each hike we have gone on from the collection.The cards are convienient, and contain all the features of the hike on the back of the card.

Great book, very handy
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a convenient and helpful guide to trails of varying difficulties in Northern California. Great design.

Cool stocking stuffer for a hiking enthusiast!
I ordered this as a stocking stuffer - and I believe the recipient will be very pleased.It looks like a lot of good info is packed into a small, convenient format.

An Innovative Guide to the Best of Northern California
One could easily argue that northern California offers the best hiking in the western US.From the redwoods along the central and northern coast, to Yosemite National Park and Lassen Volcanic, there is a lot to explore in the northern section of the Golden State.Numerous guides cover the region, but this work, a collection of hiking "cards" rather than a traditional book, is perhaps the most innovative of the bunch.Written by veteran hiker / outdoor author Ann Marie Brown and including detailed topographical maps, it has instantly become my favorite guide to Big Sur and points north.

There are 3 reasons you should buy this product.The first is convenience.Unlike a traditional book, it is easy to take out and replace one or more cards when planning an outing.Each leaf (the whole group of which are connected by a carabiner) is printed on cardstock with a color topographical map on the front followed by route description and directions to the trailhead on the reverse.Second, this guide is very well organized, with trails fairly evenly distributed throughout the northern section of the state.Yosemite and the Bay Area enjoy a slight preponderance of trails (understandably so) but you will be able to find a nearby hike whereever your travels should take you.Third, and most important, is the hike selection itself.Each hike provides a pleasant day outing.The longest is only 9 miles while the shorter walks start at barely a mile.But every one of the routes described herein is a classic.I have taken nearly 40% of the trips and all are winners.From the Limekiln Trail south of Big Sur to Lassen Peak, Tennessee Valley, Tomales Point, and the Boy Scout Tree Trail, you can hardly go wrong with this book.

In conclusion, if you like day hiking, or even think you might (this collection of cards includes many walks suitable for beginners) this is definitely the guide to get for northern California.And if your path in life should take you to the southern half of the state, you should consider also getting the companion volume to this set, Hooked on Hiking:Southern California. Together, these two guides cover 100 of the best hikes in the state and are well worth owning. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover the stunning scenery that abounds in the North Cascades region, where hikers indulge in the drama of steep peaks, deep valleys, and everything in between. This new guide covers the Bellingham area, Mount Baker, the Highway 20 corridor, North Cascades National Park, Winthrop and the Pasayten Wilderness area, parts of Glacier Peak Wilderness, and the Mountain Loop Highway. Compact and fresh with a broad range of hiking options, this is the most up-to-date guide for the area, organized along highway and other travel corridors with an emphasis on trails that are 12 miles or less, round-trip.

* 125 trails, each rated on an overall-quality scale of 1 to 5* Quick-reference icons for kids, dogs, views, and more* Full-color photo insert and overview map* 1% of sales donated to the Washington Trails Association ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The go-to book!
My husband and I hike a lot, that being said, we have a lot of hiking books.The 'Day Hiking' series is by far our favorite and the North Cascades version doesn't disappoint.We thought we lost it so I bought another one because we can't be without it.We ended up finding our previous copy so we now have one to keep in our RV and the house.Yes, it's that good it's worth having two.

Experienced author shares his knowledge
Great book.Bought it to read on my iPhone so I'd always have the directions to the trailheads with me.The author knows his stuff and presents the hikes in an entertaining manner.I've done a couple of the hikes so far, and his ratings of difficulty, etc., are accurate.Highly recommended.

Great guidebook to hiking options in North Cascades & vicinity
My wife and I really enjoyed this guidebook.We're from California and went camping in North Cascades National Park, and wanted some tips on good day-hikes in the area.This guidebook was excellent.The star ratings were easy to use, the elevation profiles very helpful, and the hike descriptions were outstanding.There is a range of difficulties included, from easy to very challenging.We also bought another book "Best Short Hikes in Washington's North Cascades and San Juans" and this was far superior in the quality of information and quality of hikes listed.

The best in the Day Hiking Series yet
Great book! I really liked the geographic coverage - although it has in-depthcoverage of the North Cascades, it also includes a few hikes in the San Juans and lowland Puget Sound, which is great for those days where I'm going somewhere different. The book did a great job of presenting the hikes visually - the maps were clear, and it was obvious which trail was which when two hikes shared a portion of trail before branching apart. Plus, when two hikes were substantially similar, the book didn't pretend they were different hikes in order to exaggerate the number of hikes included, and instead just described them side by side. I've already done a number of the hikes included in the book, and can't wait to try some more. Bring on the summer sun! ... Read more

Product Description
Hiking Missouri is your complete guide to 127 of the most scenic day hikes in the state. From the Ozarks to Kansas City, and all trails in between, you'll experience the spectacular beauty of the Show Me state.

In this one-of-a-kind resource you'll find these features:

• Detailed descriptions of every hike, in every region, including special points of interest, estimated hiking time and distance, and difficulty ratings for each trail

• Phone numbers and Web sites, park hours and rules, and available facilities for 71 of the state's most scenic parks and natural areas

• Easy-to-read maps for every park and trail to help you navigate your hike and locate landmarks and other points of interest

• A convenient trail finder with a summary of each trail's features and available facilities

Hiking Missouri brings to life the history, terrain, flora, and fauna of each area. And its descriptions of nearby recreational and sightseeing destinations ensure you won't miss anything on your trip. Hiking Missouri is your guide to enjoying the great outdoors! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great Hiking Book!
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in hiking in Missouri.The author does an excellent job describing the trails and often includes detailed information that will enhance your adventures.I own the first edition of this book but I plan to purchase the new updated version soon.Highly recommended!

Get Outside!
I want to get outside and explore after reading Lohraff's new book, Hiking Missouri. A good cookbook is a joy to read AND entices you to cook. This book is an excellent "recipe" for exploring Missouri. It was extremely enjoyable to read, with personal anecdotes and interesting historical and natural history facts. AND I can't wait to try some of the hikes - a perfect combination.

This is also a user friendly book. The layout is easy to navigate, the boot icons are easily understood, and each trail description is specific and clearcut. The author writes in such a way as to instill confidence in the reader/hiker.

Lohraff's passion for the outdoors and his knowledge of Missouri's natural communities are gifts to us all. Thank you. Now, I'm going to Get Outside!

Missouri Hiker
I was very impressed with the author's first issue of "Hiking Missouri." The observations he made, based on his natural history background, easily oriented the hiker to what was special about the area, why it was special, and where to find it. His book on 102 hikes spread throughout Missouri had surpassed all previous publications by other authors for quality and detail until now. With this new edition, the author not only added 25 more interesting hikes, he also updated the hikes from his original book. This extra effort is extremely important because there is nothing more frustrating than using an outdated book where the information may not be as reliable due to trail changes or closures.

My only nit about the book, and it is a small one, is that I wish the publisher had put the state map, with all the trail locations, ahead of the trail chart for a little easier orientation.

The author has put a lot of time and effort in producing this definitive hiking guide to the state of Missouri. For those that want to have a quality outdoor experience, this book is a must.

Buy This Book For Years of Great Hiking
Kevin Lohraff's "Hiking Missouri Second Edition" is one of the most easy-to-use and enjoyable hiking guides I've ever read. A handy trail finder with logical icons at the front of the book provides quick reference for selecting a trail. Each featured site contains detailed yet clean and straightforward maps and attractive photos, with wonderfully written descriptions of each site. With "Hiking Missouri," you not only have a great resource for years of enjoyable hiking, but in the author's voice, a hiking buddy--someone whose technical knowledge and sincere love of the natural wonders found along the trail are apparent on every page.

This book is much more than just a hiking guide.
This wonderful book is "a must," not just for hikers but also for nature lovers.More than an accurate and detailed guide, the book affords readers lush visual imagery through the descriptions of a skilledwriter who, without doubt, loves the trails he treads. ... Read more

Product Description
Introducing next-generation trail guides for the Northwest.We asked hikers what they want in a trail guide today and this is what they said: more day hikes, with options for extending the trip; hike selection conveniently arranged by highway and travel corridors; more hikes close to urban centers; more year-round hikes at low elevation; clear driving directions; a portable size; and more use of color.

To meet the needs of the modern hiker, The Mountaineers Books introduces its new Day Hiking guidebook series, written by Northwest residents with impressive hiking resumes. These guides provide accurate information in attractive, high-quality packaging and are infused with the environmental ethic that distinguishes The Mountaineers Books from other outdoor publishers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Good book for an amazing location
We spent four days in Olympic National Park and bought this book for day hikes. Good selection of hikes and well laid out. The table comparing all of the hikes according to difficulty, scenery, kid friendly etc was excellent. As good as any walking guide you will find IMHO.

Great guide!
We enjoyed several hikes mentioned in this guide.I gives the important information to make good decisions.

A useful guide for those on a schedule
This was a very useful guide for us with only a few days to spend in this spectacular area.Trail guides were generally accurate and descriptions wothwhile.

Nice hikes - rating accurate - very practical
This was the perfect book to take with us for our trip to the Olympic peninsula.
We didn't have the equipment to go camping in the back country so we wanted a book with one day hikes.
All hikes are accurately rated (how nice they are and how difficult), descriptions are useful, you get some maps.
It was just what we needed.

Very detailed
I purchased this book along with Erik Molvar's "Easy Day Hikes Olympic National Park" and between the two of them I was able to quickly locate and choose the exact hikes that not only fit my schedule, but my difficulty level, and time frame. I would recommend this to anyone planning a trip to the Olympic Peninsula. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Info...Lots of Choices!
I had purchased Hiking the Blue Ridge after attending a lecture by the author Randy Johnson at Jesse Brown's in Charlotte, NC.I knew the Best Easy Day Hikes Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) was a wonderful resource for us already so I felt confident that this 'big book' would have even more to offer.

This weekend my husband and I decided to return from a trip via the Blue Ridge Parkway.We were able to stoptwice along the way for short beautifuljaunts of about an hour each.The directions to find these 'walks' were perfect and the information about each trail was spot on. Without this book we would have been stuck in the car for hours, unsure which trails were doable in our time frame.Instead we got home AND got inspired!I can't wait to try the longer hikes!

As we were driving home my husband and I discussed what a perfect gift this will make for friends..including one couple that will soon begin an active retirement and a young cousin who is about to graduate.I would not recommend this book for anyone who is looking for an excuse to sit in the car or on the couch.The variety of choices in hikes makes you want to take the short hikes and the longer day or over-nighters. ... Read more

Product Description
Each of these decks is packed with 50 hiking adventures and comes equipped with a handy clip-on carabiner for bringing cards along wherever the trail leads.

Take a hike through Southern California's beautiful parks, forests, and more.
Hikes include:
Joshua Tree
Death Valley
Channel Islands National Park
Kings Canyon ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great concept
I love the packaging for this hiking book however I was disappointed to find only 2 hikes in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Santa Monica Mountains have so many hiking trails that I had hoped to find in this book. It's a suggestion for another edition.

An Exciting New Format for Hiking Guides
Combine California's best outdoor author with an innovative publisher, solid cartography, and a spare carabiner and you get one of the best new hiking guides to hit the market in years. What makes this guide different is that it is not a book at all.Rather, each of the 50 hikes detailed in this guide is printed on water resistant card stock. On the front of each route description is a detailed color topographical map showing the described hike in bold red dashed lines, often with additional side trails in black.On the reverse is a concise route description, written in the inimitable style of Ann Marie Brown as well as accurate driving directions to the trail head.In all, this is an exciting new product.

What makes this guide so great is that without tearing or damaging the book, it is fairly easy to take a single page hiking with you and reattach it later.Other nice features include a color coding of route descriptions:white means easy, tan implies moderate, and pink indicates strenuous.But none of the hikes are truly strenuous.The longest is 7 miles and most of the hikes can be accomplished by any reasonably fit person.

The other strong feature of the book is the hike selection itself.Few people have explored the state to the extent that the author has and if you are looking for 50 exceptional dayhikes in southern California, it would be hard to argue with this selection. National Parks Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree are well represented.But you will also find many great walks in California State Parks, National Forests, and other public lands.In all, this is an excellent selection in a useful format.I hope other publishers will follow suit, but in the meantime, be sure to get this beautiful set of hiking cards.It is an excellent investment in outdoor recreation. ... Read more

Product Description
Introducing next-generation trail guides for the NorthwestWe asked hikers what they want in a trail guide today and this is what they said: more day hikes, with options for extending the trip; hike selection conveniently arranged by highway and travel corridors; more hikes close to urban centers; more year-round hikes at low elevation; clear driving directions; a portable size; and more use of color.

To meet the needs of the modern hiker, The Mountaineers Books introduces its new Day Hiking guidebook series, written by Northwest residents with impressive hiking resumes. These guides provide accurate information in attractive, high-quality packaging and are infused with the environmental ethic that distinguishes The Mountaineers Books from other outdoor publishers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great hiking guide with some quirks.
I've done about 20 of the hikes listed in this book and it is a great resource.The writing is succint and engaging and I would definitely buy it again, however here are some of the quirks to be aware of:

-Mileage seems to be consistently understated by about 20% compared to my GPS, which throws you off when reading the "on the trail" descriptions
-Some of the directons (driving and hiking) are a little unclear (i.e try finding the parking as described for hike 16 on your first try)
-A few more detailed maps and photos would be great

Despite these flaws the book has a nice layout and does a great job at giving the stats for each hike, along with a history of each trail when applicable.

Worth buying
We've done 3 hikes out of this book so far.The information seems pretty accurate.Recommend if you're looking to explore hikes close to Seattle.

AVOID THIS SELLER!!!!
The book was small and only the first 3 pages are in color...the rest is black and white. A much bettter book for the same region is "Day Hike" Central Cascades. I'm upset with the seller because they bought the book brand new from REI (left receipt in book) wrote down all the hikes they wanted to do in the back of the book... Then the jerk ripped out the pages with the best hikes and sold the book on Amazon... WHAT A SWINE!!!!

good in concept... unless you take a hike that doesn't exist!
Heading out for a big trip to Washington state, I picked up a couple of these "Day Hiking" books.I figured in conjunction with state and national park maps, they'd help pick good places to hike in my limited time in various regions.Unfortunately, I only wound up with one day in the Snoqualmie region... and managed to pick a hike from this book that DOES NOT EXIST!!!It was the first day of vacation, so wanted to start out easy, my husband and I like trains, so we picked a 3 mile hike on the Iron Horse Trail to an old trestle. The book calls this the "Washington Creek" hike and even includes a picture of the trestle... long story short, the trail does not cross Washington creek, at least within the first 8 miles or so, nor is the trestle in the picture anywhere to be found!!!We eventually hit the trestle at Change Creek, which was fine, but what we thought would be a 6-8 mile easy day turned into 18 miles and were more that a bit ticked off, not to even speak of the negative impact that had on the next few days of our trip!I suspect it was an anomaly, and that the other hikes are fine, but they really need to edit the book to make sure all the trails in it actually exist!

Compact book filled with excellent day hiking ideas
As a hiking enthusiast living in Bellevue (a few miles east of Seattle), I find this nifty little guidebook indispensible for planning my weekend adventures. It is small enough to fit comfortably in my backpack, but is chock-full with day hike suggestions, 125 total. I really like that it covers a wide area, from my immediate backyard, far east to the Teanaway region, and all the way south to Chinook Pass near Mt Rainier. I've had this book for well over a year now, and even though I go hiking at least once a week and use it regularly, I can still draw inspiration from this book as I pick new areas to sample.

I prefer guidebooks that are engaging, yet not overly verbose, and this one fits the bill. Unlike the previous "100 Hikes" series, this one is generally free of annoying political rants, and is an enjoyable read.

However, you should *definitely* double-check the information in the book before actually going on a hike. Some of the maps/descriptions are inaccurate (outdated perhaps?). For example, the track they give for Squaw Lake (Hike 85) and Eldorado Pass (Hike 91) are incorrect -- the present trail is actually easier but somewhat longer -- and I had quite some trouble finding the Anti-Aircraft loop (Hike 2). I's a good idea to get a topo map with trails, and if you have a GPS unit, consider downloading a free track from [...] That said, the specified destination has always been there :) and the general "feel" of the hike is spot on.

In the end, this book has served me very well. It is definitely worth its modest cost. If you're interested in hiking in the greater Snoqualmie region and want a good introduction to its many gems, check this out! ... Read more

Product Description
Hiking Ohio is a comprehensive guide to more than 40 of the most scenic foot trails in the Buckeye State. From the Lake Erie islands to the foothills of the Appalachians, from virgin forests to native grasslands, from small creeks to the Ohio River, this book serves as a tour guide to the diverse natural and human history of Ohio only as seen by foot. Hiking Ohio includes descriptive photographs for each hike; digitally designed maps detailing each hike; in-depth trail descriptions with difficulty ratings; detailed route directions; schedules, local attractions, eateries, and more.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very helpful book.
This book was very helpful as I was looking for a park to explore and conduct a personal retreat.It gave me several options while I was on the road and provided features of each location.I am happy that I purchased it.

Hiking Ohio a Useful Guide
Hiking Ohio is a comprehensive guidebook that covers all regions, lengths, and types of hikes in Ohio. The photos are especially nice for a guidebook and the maps are excellent. Sidebars are really fun! This would be a good book for the avid hiker. ... Read more