50 Hikes in Kentucky: From the Appalachian Mountains to the Land Between the Lakes (50 Hikes Guides) [Paperback]

Hiram Rogers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 2002

Explore Kentucky's extensive, diverse, and often overlooked network of trails.

Hikers in Kentucky will find a stunning array of natural rock arches, rushing rivers, spring wildflowers, and even a recently reintroduced herd of elk. Within the 670,000-acre Daniel Boone National Forest lie two wilderness areas, the Red River Gorge Geological Area, and a trail system highlighted by the 269-mile Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail. Outside the national forest lie Cumberland Falls, centered around the mighty waterfall and its world famous moonbow, and Natural Bridge, one of the largest natural arches in the eastern US.

An overview chart provides at-a-glance information on the 50 hikes, which feature something for hikers of every ability. Each hike is accompanied by a topographical map, information on difficulty, mileage, and rise, as well as information on the geology, wildlife, and ecosystems you'll encounter along the way. 40 black-and-white photographs and 51 maps

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hiram Rogers is the author of Explorer's Guide 50 Hikes in Kentucky and Exploring the Black Hills and Badlands and has written about Kentucky trails and land conservation issues for Backpacker and Blue Ridge Country. A trained geologist who brings great knowledge of natural history to his descriptions, Rogers lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: Countryman Press; 1 edition (July 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088150551X
• ISBN-13: 978-0881505511
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 50-Hikes Series gets another excellent addition, November 21, 2003

By 

David Prager "redhawk" (Winterville, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 50 Hikes in Kentucky: From the Appalachian Mountains to the Land Between the Lakes (50 Hikes Guides) (Paperback)

If you're a fan of the 50 Hikes Series (like I am), you're going to fall in love this offering. As the title suggests, this book describes 50 hikes in the Bluegrass State, ranging in length from 0.9 to 13.4 miles. The entire state is covered, from Breaks Interstate Park and Big South Fork in the east to Land Between the Lakes and Mammoth Cave in the west. You'll find a hike for every ability and for every interest in here.

Each hike contains driving directions (starting at a nearby town), a map copied from the USGS topo maps, and a well-informed and well-written background on the area. A summary table in the front of the book helps you select a hike of interest quickly.

Most of the "famous" trails in Kentucky are described here, with a few lesser-known options thrown in. Of particular note are two cave "hikes" (i.e. tours) that are described in the Mammoth Cave section, something I'm not sure I've seen in a hiking guide before. These two count toward the 50-hikes total, so there are really 48 "traditional" hikes. Having done a considerable amount of hiking in Kentucky, there were a couple of trails that I was expecting to be included that were not. Perhaps they could have been if not for the cave tours, but Hiram's choice makes the book different and more interesting. This work still contains the "best and brightest" trails in Kentucky.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Hiram's earlier work "Exploring the Black Hills and Badlands," I was expecting big things out of this book. I was not disappointed. I have several guides to Kentucky hiking on my bookshelf, and this one is the best. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about trails or is interested in Kentucky hiking.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Success!, December 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: 50 Hikes in Kentucky: From the Appalachian Mountains to the Land Between the Lakes (50 Hikes Guides) (Paperback)

Hiram Rogers has done it again! As an avid outdoorsman, Hiram's trail guides have helped me navigate my way through the Black Hills of South Dakota and some equally rewarding trails in Kentucky. Hiram's latest book incorporates wonderful photography and a meticulous description of what one will see and experience. Having read both books before traversing the respective trails, I could almost anticipate what was behind every bend. I look forward to his next release!