Customer Reviews

Adirondack Trails High Peaks Region (Forest Preserve, Vol. 1) (Forest Preserve Series, V. 1)

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

 

 

If you ever travel to the Adirondacks for hiking in the High Peaks, this little guide book, complete with fold-out map, is an absolute must. It's the 2004, 13th edition of the guide first put out in the 1930s.

I wasn't around back then, but I imagine the trails have changed a bit. They're maintained very well, for the most part, but the occasional tree-fall and rock slide does alter the landscape over time, so keeping your guides up to date is a good idea.

The large, very detailed map, of course, is wonderful. But other indispensable aspects of this little book are the exact locations of the trail heads, as well as descriptions of each trail, with accurate assessments of their difficulty--easy, moderate, or difficult.

This guide will help you find the trails most suited to your abilities, and enhance your wilderness experience many times over.

The ADK's High Peaks Region guide has always been, and remains, THE indispensable tool for those exploring the Adirondacks High Peaks Region. The content is extremely informative, well written, and well organized. Thanks to the writers and editors over the years for providing such a book.


My main criticism is with the packaging of this 13th Edition.
Over the years, each subsequent edition of the book has become less and less hiker-friendly by increasing in cover size (height x width) while decreasing in page count/thickness. The package designers must be made aware that this is not a paperback novel to be read once in bed then discarded, but is a tool to be carried in one's pocket and consulted often in wilderness environments over many years.
The 13th Edition's larger height x width makes it impossible to fit in most pockets.

Additionally, while past editions have been sturdily stitch-bound, with rounded page corners, and a semi-stiff water-resistant cover, the 13th Edition is only adhesive-bound, square cornered, and sports a standard flimsy paperback cover. The result is that my new 13th Edition is showing significant wear after only ONE OUTING: curled, wrinkled and shredding cover; curling and ragged (square) page corners; glued-in pages already separating from the binding. My 11th and 12th Editions were carried for over a decade each on dozens of outings and both still look newer than my "brand new" 13th Edition.
The publishers have told me that the inferior construction was to minimize the price. As this book only gets revised every decade or so, I believe most of us would spend a bit more money for a sturdier version that will last a full 10 years.

My only criticism with the actual content is an editorial revision to the High Peaks List Appendix. While the new revision does contain a note that not all of the famous "original 46" peaks are actually over 4000 feet in elevation, there is no longer any indication of WHICH of those under-4000 peaks are members of the "46" list. Since this book is basically the "bible" of the 46'ers, it seems like a major omission. (by the way, they are Blake, Cliff, Nye, and Couchsachraga according to my 12th Edition)

In conclusion, if you plan to hike in the Adirondack High Peaks Region, buy this book, but hope that a reprint having a better thought-out package is released soon.

It's all here. If you're hiking in the Adirondacks, you're probably doing it in the High Peaks region. The guide is compact and includes a topographical map. It is not so compact that I actually want to carry it with me on a hike though--I like to travel really, really light. But, I suppose it would not be too much if you want to put it in your pack. The new edition is not as sturdy as my earlier edition.
Sometimes I found the index to be a bit confusing. You look for a trail head in the index and then are directed to about 7 different hikes. I'm probably not clear on what my confusion is and perhaps it is specific to me. That is a definite possibility.
The authors make a case for staying away from the more well traveled hikes. I wish that I had heeded their advice and skipped Mt. Marcy. The view was expansive at the top, and it was not too bad on the way up, but criminy-- the path is so root ridden and rutted that it killed my knees and feet on the way back. So heed my warning! There are plenty of hikes listed that provide much more solitude, have great views, and a less worn trail.
The authors are very clear in describing how well marked a trail is and if any bushwhacking is required.

The best aspect of this book is the VERY detailed topo map that comes with it. I suggest copying this thing to the hilt for any of your high peaks region hikes. Basically - the map was why I bought the book... I like knowing what my elevation (and change) along the trail will be along with what other trails I will intersect. Aside from the map I found the book to be a good source of detail as well in terms of notable turns/direction changes on the trial, where on the topo map the specific trail is located, distances between points, and directions for parking. I would recommend this book (and any other ADK Club publication) for hiking in the ADK region.

This is a great book. The fact that it includes a topographic map seals the deal.

You basically get brief descriptions of every single trail in the high peaks region. Although the information is not as good as some trip reports you may find, it is an excellent guide to quickly consult when planning a route in the ADK's.

The map is pretty good also. It is perhaps the most "complete" map availible, in that it shows many herd paths, even the one to Allen mountain. This shows more herd paths then the Nat Geo map does. That being said, it is really silly that neither of them show the entire dix range.

Quality issues are the biggest problem. I don't think the AMC realizes that we would gladly pay twice as much for this book had it been constructed with proper materials to last through heavy use in the backcountry. I probably would never take the whole book with me due to weight, but it would have been nice if the pages were waterproof and highly durable.

The map is also not very durable, and although I would take it with me in the woods, I would only take it out on an extremely dry day briefly or in emergency use only, as it cannot withstand moisture or quick lookups. The nat geo map is better for this reason as it is printed on waterproof paper.

I use this along with Nat Geo's 3d ADK explorer and I think the combination of the two products is the best possible information and maps for the trails you can find. Despite the units physical shortcomings, any ultralight backpacker would obviously just print what they needed on a few sheets and laminate if necessary, or store on a cellphone, so I can't fault it too much for what otherwise would have been a serious problem.

This book could also benefit from some weight reduction by focusing purely on the high peaks themselves, instead of a completist guide to the entire area. This could shave the size of the book down a good 25%. I would rather have had information on slide routes rather than established simple trails to lesser mountains.

Also, this edition is getting pretty old and definitely needs to be updated, and fast. Especially post-Irene, the map and the information could really be considered outdated, especially with serious changes like Marcy Dam Bridge being out and Duck Hole never to be the same again. Now is really the best time to come out with another edition.

All faults aside, this book is a wonderful and necessary resource. If I could give it 4.5 stars, I would, but it will have to settle for four, as certain materials could have been left out and quality could have been increased in it's place.

This is a must to bring on the trail, the book and the map. I love it, it has so much info in it, it really takes a lot of the time out of researching the places I wanna go to. This should be in everyones bag while hiking in the Adirondacks.

This is my sixth edition of this book. Always good information and great map. In the early spring using the map and guide is a little more challenging than later, because the ATIS and other hikers may not have gone over the trails yet.
The only criticism I have of this edition is that it has no space for notes in the back. It's always nice to keep track of hikes, conditions and experiences when you take the hikes; it's nice to compare them from time to time and remind yourself of hikes that should be revisited.

This book will give you more information on trails in the Adirondack High Peaks Region than any website will. The included map is an essential tool when venturing out on some of the less popular trails. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is the book binding is not as strong as I would like it to be. I take the book out with me on my hikes and the first couple pages are starting to pull away from the binding.

I have bought this book based on a friend of mine telling me that everything in this book is almost to a "t" as to what you find on the trails. The map that comes with it is awesome to help show what trails connect to where. I am very excited to start using this book when I start my quest to climb all 46 starting this summer. I would highly suggest this book for any one who wants to hike in and around the ADK HP area.

i love it, it has directions and how far everything is including trails and roads! GREAT BOOK!