Customer Reviews

Adventuring in the California Desert, Completely Revised and Updated

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

 

 

Don't buy this if you just want a hiking/camping guide. Here's why:
* The author himself mentions that 50% of the book isn't really related to hiking ("adventuring" as in the book's title)
* The hikes are not described well. There are no total trail distances given.
* There are no maps of trails/trailheads/wilderness areas, and that's what REALLY bugs me. There are virtually no maps in this book. The maps that are there are VERY pitiful. Without maps, this book is virtually useless to me.

I would recommend that you look around at other books available if you're after a good hiking guide.

Since the average rating is currently at 4.5 I'm gonna give this a 1 to try to add some balance to things...

I wonder if Lynne has ever actually been there. The author spends half a paragraph asking numerous questions you'd like to ask, give you a short answer you can find with park brochure, then refer you to the visitor center to get more information and get map (apparently the author has been to and is familiar with the visitor center). No detail info on any of the trails and tours. I've been to the desert once or twice and I know more about the subject than the author describes in the book.

I am also extremely disappointed with Sierra Club Travel Guide. Next time I won't buy their books blindly.

Lynne Foster has done a great job here, describing many trips and day visits into nearly every corner of California's beautiful deserts. Nearly every region I am familiar with, she has covered quite well. Most people don't know the lonely horizons and vast silences awaiting those who get off the superhighways; the land is incredibly beautiful and not a little dangerous. Heed her words of caution, then take the book and your camera and see for yourself. Makes great armchair reading, too!

Updated since I bought my 1987 edition this book is a wonderful one-volume introduction to California's desert regions. My battered, coffee-stained, spine-broken copy is the best testimony to its usefulness I can give. The overlong introductory section cuts down on space for regional descriptions but the advice is worth reading, especially the section on safety. Very strong on regions ouside the well-known parks the author encourages visitors to explore and hike on their own. The book is a well-rounded blend of information on flora, fauna, geology, history, hiking and 4WD touring. If you are new to desert exploration this book will break you in easily and safely.