101 Hikes in Northern California: Exploring Mountains, Valleys, and Seashore [Paperback]

Matt Heid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2000 | Series: 101 Hikes

This edition is out of print. Please order the new 2nd edition (ISBN: 978-0-89997-474-3) which is currently available.

Author Matt Heid has taken the best hikes in Northern California and put them in one, easy-to-read reference book. Covering the entire northern two-thirds of the state--from Big Sur to the Lost Coast, Sequoia/Kings Canyon to the Modoc Plateau--the featured trips range from easy strolls to strenuous treks. All hikes can be done in a single day, but many are ideal for overnight backpacking trips.

Each trip includes easy to read symbols that allow the reader to determine the nature and difficulty of the hike, a detailed route description, accurate directions to the trailhead, location of the nearest campground, and extensive natural history information. 101 Hikes in Northern California will quickly become the first guidebook you reach for when you want to explore the best of Northern California's fabulous backcountry.

Editorial Reviews

Review

....the definitive hiker’s handbook for hikers of all ages, levels of skill, and interests. -- Auburn Journal

A wonderful selection of trails, good writing, and helpful graphics make this a choice guidebook... -- National Outdoor Book Awards, Honorable Mention

This ideal travel companion provides detailed information on trail length, elevation gain, and scenic highlightsfor hikers of every skill level. -- Sunset Magazine

With author Matt Heid’s insights, you’re sure to wander through some of this scenic region’s most stunning backcountry. -- Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine

About the Author

Matt Heid holds a degree in Earth and Planetary Science from Harvard University and has been a researcher and writer for three Let's Go travel guides. With his enthusiastic and fresh perspective, Heid will introduce you to many of Northern California's lesser known regions, as well as reacquaint you with the state's most famous natural wonders.

Product Details

• Paperback: 267 pages
• Publisher: Wilderness Press (December 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899972578
• ISBN-13: 978-0899972572
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best hiking guide..., March 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: 101 Hikes in Northern California: Exploring Mountains, Valleys, and Seashore (Paperback)

This is the best hiking guide for Northern California that I've ever used. The great selection of hikes covers more area than most books about the region. I've found a lot of places I never new about. I love the descriptions of the hikes-a great easy style, really clear, and full of interesting information about the plants, geology, and history that adds a lot to the hike. A helpful locator map, good topo maps, and great photos too. A nice addition is the comprehensive list of hikes by theme that help choose where to hike based on what you want to do-lakes, waterfalls, wildflowers, etc. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for the best Northern California hiking guide-for both dayhikes and backpacks.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Find the Best Spots in Northern California!, March 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: 101 Hikes in Northern California: Exploring Mountains, Valleys, and Seashore (Paperback)

I love this book. The author has put a lot of effort into finding a large number of hikes well off the beaten track. To date, I have done nearly a dozen of the hikes and seldom encountered anybody else. If you like beating the crowds while enjoying some of Northern California's most scenic backcountry, the majority of the hikes more than satisfy. Several popular hikes are included as well (Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, for example) but these are much fewer in number and seem to be limited to those truly spectacular destinations which more than merit the crowds. Directions are good, the topographic maps are very usable, and lots of natural history information is included for trail-side reading. The book also covers a much greater area than other Northern California guidebooks and includes areas in the southern Sierra Nevada and Central Coast neglected in similar titles. About the only bad thing about the book is the index, which is sparse in places and can make finding a particular park difficult

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Explore Northern Cal with this Book!, September 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: 101 Hikes in Northern California: Exploring Mountains, Valleys, and Seashore (Paperback)

I bought this book earlier this year, and have used it extensively to see great outdoor places in Northern California. It has all the components that that make a great hiking book - locator map, difficulty level, distance and elevation gain, best time of year, whether you need two cars etc. You also don't have to cruise the entire book either when looking for a specfic type of hike, because it has summary lists of hikes recommended by month of the year, and different aspects of a hike such as best wildflower hikes, best views etc. The directions to the trailheads are good (never got lost once), and the trail descriptions are thorough often including local history, geology, making for interesting reading before hand, or while stopping on the trail for a snack.