Customer Reviews

Backcountry Adventures Northern California: The Ultimate Guide to the Backcountry for Anyone with a Sport Utility Vehicle

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We have two other 4-wheel drive books for northern California, but neither one comes close to this! The color pages, descriptions, and added history and nature lessons are great. We enjoy the eastern Sierra and were glad to find so many trips for that area in this book. We can't wait for the snow to melt so we can try some trips out!

This is an excellent book as many other reviewers have already said. The maps, directions, GPS coordinates, historical information, etc. are clear, comprehensive, and easy to read & follow. Another nice feature is that the off-road trails are rated for their difficulty levels, with plenty of easy level 1 (no SUV required), trails for anyone who simply wants to get out and appreciate nature.
Do take note of the books dimensions (including weight), as it is huge! This is by no means a "bad thing" since the book is an encyclopedia of information and the size reflects that. But the oversize did prevent me from simply sticking it in the glovebox or door-pocket as I'd planned.

I won't rehash how good this book is, you have all 9 other reviews to do it. Just a note of caution, make sure you buy the latest edition (from 2006). Amazon still lists the one from 2002 first in the search results.

I like the GPS coordinates, and the fact that it gives directions and mileage for each trail in both directions. So you have a lot more flexibility on how you plan your outing.

Excited to have this book. Great book to guide you through great backroads & trails. Still getting used to the directions my odometer reading and found the gps coordinates fairly accurate.

This is pretty simple: if you live in Northern California and plan on off-roading, you need to own this book. There's no way around it. This is the most comprehensive guide I've seen to the trails in this area.

Note: If you live in SF, and plan on going south, you should also own the Southern California book. The bay area sits on the border between the norcal and socal trails covered in the two books.

I recieved this book in the middle of deployment, so I haven't been able to run any of these trails yet. But I enjoy going through book just to read it! It's got tons of California's rich history and a lot of amazing pictures that motivate me to get out on the trails as soon as I get home.

2nd best only because I live in southern California and use the Southern California back country adventure book a whole lot more.

Great OHV guide-- Well worth the price. Could not be more pleased. In addition to maps, turn-by-turn guide, GPS coordinates and descriptions of the trails, it has an outstanding recap of area history, mines, ghost towns, pictures, railroads, early wagon trails, coupled with interesting biographical sketches of early settlers. Also has great pictures of birds, flowers, insects, animals, geology, etc. that make this the ultimate OHV guide book.

If you live in Northern California and like the outdoors this book is a must. Would make a fabulous gift for anyone living in this part of the country. Price is very reasonable considering the value of information contained in this guide.

Very well put together book with tons of trails to explore at varying levels of difficulty. The trail descriptions are very good, with excellent GPS tracking points if you want to go that route. The trails described are reasonable and you don't need a big built up 4x4 to run them. Great for people who want to take their stock or mildly modified 4x4 SUV or truck out with out destroying it. I have two other California 4wd trail books, which are not even close to as user friendly as this one. I wish I would have bought this one first.

I bought this book based on a recommendation on KLR650.NET. It has way more information than I thought it would have. Every trail listed has detailed turn by turn directions, GPS coordinates, and color photos. After reviewing a few of them, I want to do them all. The book is large and heavy so plan on photo copying the pages you need if you plan to use it for dual sport riding like myself. It also has tons of history, animal facts, and plant references. I highly recommend adding it to your library if you are the type that has ever driven by a dirt road on the highway and wondered "Where does that go?"