Backcountry Roads--Idaho [Paperback]

Lynna Howard (Author)

Book Description

Series: Backcountry Roads | Publication Date: March 1, 2008

Distributed by the University of Nebraska Press for Caxton Press

Idaho's backcountry wilderness is renowned for its stark beauty.  Remarkably, some of the state's most beautiful sites are easily accessible for the road traveler that is willing to drive the backcountry logging and forest service roads that few have cataloged.  Brother and sister team Lynna and Leland Howard have spent years doing just that.  With over 114 photographs, 33 color maps, 31 detailed expeditiosn complete with GPS coordinates, Backcountry Roads Idaho is an indespensible companion for the road explorer.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lynna Howard is an award winning poet and Leland Howard's beautiful nature photography has been recognized as amongst the best in the region.  With several books and numerous calendars and other projects under their belt, the brother and sister team have brought to the page their love of their native state of Idaho.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Caxton Press (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870044591
• ISBN-13: 978-0870044595
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Mountains
  • #87 in Books > Travel > Reference & Tips > Food & Lodging > Parks & Campgrounds

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Backcountry Roads - Idaho, November 24, 2008

By 

James Ridenour "mining history researcher" (Spokane Valley, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Backcountry Roads--Idaho (Paperback)

For the past thirty years, hikers, climbers, and motorized explorers of Idaho's backcountry have had a steadily increasing number of guides from which to choose. Some of these include a few photographs and all describe, in lesser or greater detail, routes, distances, difficulty, etc., of trails. Today, I received my copy of "Backcountry Roads-Idaho," and I have to say there is not a guide that even comes close to this peerless publication. The Howard's have set a standard that perhaps will never be surpassed. Lynna's prose gently guides you by the hand, and Leland's photography literally puts your mind in these locations. Even armchair travelers or those just wanting to take a scenic drive will love this book. I cannot imagine someone buying this book and not taking one or more of these excursions. If you do, buy two books: one to accompany you and the other to take its rightful place among other coffee table books in your living room, study, or library, for this book is a wonderful blend of history, geography, geology, and, of course, travel adventure. If I could rate this book as 10 stars, it would not be enough.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superbly crafted travel guide that combines detailed information with stunningly beautiful photos, February 8, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backcountry Roads--Idaho (Paperback)

Some travel guides are merely compiled collections of demographic information. Others are more coffee-table picture books meant more for recreational browsing than serious itinerary planning. Knowledgeably written by Lynna Howard and impressively illustrated with the photography of Leland Howard, "Backcountry Roads: Idaho" is a superbly crafted travel guide that combines detailed information with stunningly beautiful photos of what the travel can expect to encounter while traveling along the lesser road systems and off the 'beaten trails' of Idaho. Arranged along geographic lines, "Backcountry Roads: Idaho" covers Idaho's North Panhandle; North-Central Idaho; West-Central Idaho; Southwest Idaho; South-Central Idaho; East-Central Idaho; Eastern Idaho; and Southeast Idaho. Each individual destination is provided with a succinct description that includes maps, approach routes, land administration organizations and websites, total milage and road ratings, and expedition directions with GPS instructions. Anyone planning a trip for business or for pleasure would be well advanced to begin planning their travel itinerary by browsing through the information packed pages of Lynna and Leland Howard's "Backcountry Roads: Idaho"!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Coffee table book or trail guide?, December 30, 2008

By 

M. Kochte "Indy" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Backcountry Roads--Idaho (Paperback)

First, I wish Amazon would allow half stars for input ratings. I'd give this a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. But they don't. Alas...

The talents of the brother/sister team Leland and Lynna have once again meshed together to create a visually stunning and read interesting book about the Idaho wilderness for you to explore. This time by vehicle, instead of foot.

This tome is chock full of absolutely fantastic Leland photos (in my opinion, alone worth the price) and Lynna's writing prose really puts that personalized touch on everything. The book is also *packed* with information, both trail and trivia (how many of you know where the name "Idaho" came from? it was eye-opening for me :) ).

The opening stages of the book are great to read. Even in here you will probably learn something you didn't know before about Idaho, without even having looked at the main section of the book.

In the "meat" part of the book, laced with photos, the chapters/sections ("expeditions") are broken down into "When We Were There" (like a mini trip report), Approach Route options, a Maps list (plus an overview road map), Land Administration info, Total Miles and Road Ratings, and Expedition Directions, which have the journey broken down into mileage points combined with GPS coordinates (WGS84 datum) personally gathered and verified by the Howards. Each expedition also has "Before You Go" and "Other Nearby Excursions..." sidebars. All in full detail.

The only "gripe" I would have about the book is that it presents itself as a coffee table book (in size, handling, and volume of photos), but has detailed information you would hope and expect to find in a trail guide. Others have suggested you get two copies of the book, one for home and one for the road. My only concern is that the "for the road" copy will prove a little unwieldy while driving, being that it is so wide. Plus, do you *really* want to beat up such a nice book??