Atlas of Oregon Wilderness [Perfect Paperback]

William L. Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 21, 2009

This complete guide to Oregon's backcountry includes the new wilderness areas designated by Congress in March 2009 as well as old favorites from Mt. Hood and the Three Sisters to Steens Mountain and the Wallowas. The atlas features 70 pages of detailed, shaded-relief maps, 40 pages of color photographs, 146 recommended backpacking trips, 500 featured hikes, and tips for mountain climbers, whitewater rafters, kayakers, Nordic skiers, and snowshoers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A fifth-generation Oregonian, Sullivan has written ten books about Oregon, including Oregon Trips & Trails, Hiking Oregon's History, and a series of five 100 Hikes guidebooks for Oregon. The journal of his 1000-mile backpacking trek across Oregon, Listening for Coyote, was chosen one of the state's top 100 books by the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission. Sullivan lives with his wife Janell Sorensen in Eugene and writes a monthly column for the Eugene Register-Guard.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Navillus Press (April 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981570127
• ISBN-13: 978-0981570129
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #284,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The author of three novels and a dozen nonfiction books, Sullivan grew up in Salem, Oregon. He completed his B.A. degree in English at Cornell University under Alison Lurie, studied linguistics at Germany's Heidelberg University, and earned an M.A. in German at the University of Oregon. He reads in a dozen languages, plays the pipe organ, and enjoys backcountry ski expeditions.
Sullivan is known in the American West as the author who backpacked more than a thousand miles across Oregon's wilderness in 1985. His journal of that adventure, "Listening for Coyote," has since been chosen one of Oregon's "100 Books," the most significant books in state history.
In summer he writes at the log cabin that he and his wife Janell Sorensen built by hand in the wilds of Oregon's Coast Range, more than a mile from roads, electricity, and telephones. The rest of the year they live in Eugene, Oregon, where he volunteers to promote libraries and literature.
A list of Sullivan's books, speaking engagements, and favorite adventures is at www.oregonhiking.com .

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Atlas of Oregon Wilderness, August 11, 2009

By 

James C. Sellers "J. Sellers" (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Atlas of Oregon Wilderness (Perfect Paperback)

A truly excellent book for people who enjoy hiking in Oregon's congressionally designated wilderness areas; even better that it includes those areas that Congress added in 2009. Hikers will presumably want also to have Sullivan's "regular" hiking books for actual hikes, however, as they give more-detailed information about getting to trailheads and about the trails themselves. For people who love hiking and backpacking in Oregon, though, this belongs on the bookshelf.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended comprehensive book of hiking in Oregon wilderness., February 17, 2011

By 

Fine Games for Players & Collectors "A Carefu... (North Bend, OR, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Atlas of Oregon Wilderness (Perfect Paperback)

This is a GREAT guidebook in nearly every respect. Highly recommended to everyone who enjoys self-propelled, non-motorized outdoor experiences.

This 383pg book follows a format similar to his 5 "100 Hikes" book series. He first highlites the special aspects of an area, discusses its geography & history, its seasons, whether it receives heavy use or abuse, then launches into the range of possible hikes. It differs from the "100 Hikes" series in that this book doesn't assume that the reader's focus is exclusively on hiking; this book mentions considerations useful to backpackers, equistrians, swimmers, xc skiers & snowshoers, hang gliders, those of us who enjoy hot springs, lookouts & shelters, and those with children needing shorter hikes. The book also discusses in detail each area's predominant flora & fauna.

I appreciate that the author has a real understanding of solitude and the part it plays for some of us in understanding our place in this world. Not all writers do. Further, I find the book's descriptions quite accurate based on my own extensive travels over 30 years in many of these areas. Further, I appreciate that coverage is systematic & comprehensive; he covers all portions of each wilderness area discussed rather than merely those that are most readily visited. Indeed, the author often guides us to the back-40, something I am grateful for.

This book's maps use a different style than the line drawings found in his "100 Hikes" series. The appear to be based on 2D or 3D maps produced by the USFS or BLM, with additional details added. I prefer the maps in this book.

I'll note that this is the ONLY source of specific info about the Devil's Staircase I've seen. This is a staircased waterfall in a very remote, rugged area of the coast range. Coverage in this book provides excellent guidence that will keep one "found" if you attempt the very difficult hike here. This is but one clear example of the thorough & systematic fashion in which the author covers each area.

This book covers the best of Oregon, but does not undermine the value of any of his 5 "100 Hikes" books. There is considerable overlap, for sure, but his other books focus on hiking specific routes, and cover many perfectly good & often more convenient hiking areas that are not of wilderness quality. If you find you like this book, I suggest you check out one of the "100 Hikes" books for the area close to you.

The one suggestion I would offer for future printings is that the book does not offer symbols for several key interests any given area might serve. Icons indicating restrictions on having animal companions, on good swimming opportunities, good picnicing, whether permits are required, whether shelters are in the area, all might be useful.

Again, a highly recommended book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, July 26, 2011

By 

River Rambler (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Atlas of Oregon Wilderness (Perfect Paperback)

Sullivan does a great job breaking up the state into wilderness sections, this book accompanies me on travels across the state. Great suggestions for side trips, hikes, and a great general overview.