Customer Reviews

50 Hikes in the Adirondacks: Short Walks, Day Trips, and Backpacks Throughout the Park, Fourth Edition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've used this book for about 10 hikes over the last few years. It has been a helpful resource in planning day hikes. I rated it so low for two reasons.

First, as one of the other Amazon raters pointed out already, the "How To Get There" section which directs readers to the trailheads is indeed very vague and has caused me much frustration. The author does provide a map of the actual trail itself -- very helpful -- but never a street map for how to arrive at the trailhead.

Two, if you're a right-brained person then the book's lengthy trail descriptions might work for you, but I am not and I instead want to see facts, maps, etc. instead of reading pages of the author's reactions as she walks the trail. No offense, but I find myself skimming through her history lessons thinking, "Get to the point! I just want to know where to turn!"

Maybe I should have at least given this book a 3, but trying to find a trailhead based on the book's description has been so aggrevating at times I'm being vengeful.

My boyfriend and I just returned from a day hike in the Adirondacks yesterday and we were so disappointed with this book for numerous reasons. First, the directions given to the actual hike were very vague and I had to spend almost two hours on the internet beforehand trying to get specific directions to the trail. Basically, what should have been a one hour drive ended up being two. Second, once we were on the hike we found this book hard to follow and distances were off. Trails that the book claimed were present were not and specifics of landmarks, bridges, streams, etc. were also absent, leaving my boyfriend and I to "guesstimate" what location the author was actually referring to. About 4 miles into the hike, we put the book in our backpack and there it stayed. Despite this we still had an enjoyable hike, however, if you are thinking of purchasing this book...take the author's advice and BRING A COMPASS since a lot of the trail directions in the book rely on N, S, E, and W. Also, be prepared to spend some time hunting for specific directions and try to hook up with someone who knows the trails since we missed the "climax" of the hike due to the book's poor directions and out of date landmarks. An updated edition of this book should be published.

Barbara McMartin is one of those few resident Adirondackers that has supplied the world with great information, anecdotes and history about lesser known trails in the Adirondacks. Keeping to the less over-run trails, the reader is treated to beautiful trails to remote mountaintops, caves, fire-towers, unique wetlands and historic sites.

This newer edition is only slightly different (three more hikes), but it includes great topo maps, directions, trail and destination descriptions and just a ton of interesting local folklore to keep you going. A great find.

no one serious about the ADK should plan a hike without this book. It's that good. You need topo maps too. 5 ponds to sand pond (lake) is my personal favorite. Chimney mountain is next.

This book was my weekend getaway bible when I lived in upstate NY, and I use it heavily as a reference whenever I return for vacation. The guide was obviously written by someone who is very fond of the Adirondacks, and her pride and depth of knowledge make this book a fun and useful trail companion. The pictures help me to decide which hike I'd like to take next, and the information on difficulty level and topography is also very useful! Many thanks to Barbara and her collaborators for their time and effort.

Having just moved here, I needed a book that would take me to out-of-the-way, non-touristy hikes. This one does it. The only drawback is that the directions to the trailheads are not as detailed as I would like.

THIS BOOK IS RIGHT ON....ACCURATE INFORMATION ON LENGHT OF HIKE, AND POINTS OF INTEREST.WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK..

we only had 3 days to hike and we did 4 of the hike from this book - great choices, very clear and exact details. A MUST

This guide has easy trails and hard trails all in one for a pretty low price

Just browsing through the book and reading about the hikes took me right there. The details of the hikes are just amazing and although I haven't been there yet, my husband and I have dog-eared several pages of "must-hikes". Our 2 day trip to the Adirondacks has just turned into a week and a half long trip!