Backpacking Wisconsin [Paperback]

Elizabeth D. Hailman (Author), Jack P. Hailman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2000

Wisconsin is a premier backpacking state, with outstanding opportunities for weekend trips. With its Great Lakes and river boundaries, national and state parks and forests, and stunning geological diversity, it offers a variety of experiences for both novice and experienced backpackers. In Backpacking Wisconsin Jack and Liz Hailman, drawing on years of personal experience, provide first-hand information for trails in every corner of the state—from the wooded Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, inhabited by whitetailed deer and black bears, to picturesque Newport State Park in Door County, set upon Silurian-age limestone laid down over 100 million years ago.

For each backpacking site you’ll find:
• information on entrance fees and permits, campsites, & contact sources
• directions to the location
• detailed trail maps with keys that pinpoint roads, parking, trail shelters, water supplies, outhouses
• ratings for trails, scenery, quiet, solitude, and interest
• background information on history, geology, and terrain
• trail notes describing trees, shrubs, wildflowers, birds, and animals you may  encounter.

    Backpacking Wisconsin also provides an overview of the backpacking experience, tips for the beginner and the expert, hints on how to choose equipment (boots, packs, tents, sleeping bags, rain gear, stoves), notes on troublesome plants and animals, a list of state areas that no longer offer backpacking, schedules of fees, a checklist for backpacks, and a list of trail, outdoor, and conservation organizations. For those hesitant to venture deep into wilderness, the Hailmans spotlight “quasi-backpacking” sites. All you have to do is pick a trail!

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Backpacking Wisconsin is published in a convienent 4 3/4 x 8" format with 59 diagrams, and 11 maps. Of related interest to readers would be another University of Wisconsin Press book, Sven Olof Swartlingou's Climber's Guide to Devil's Lake Second Edition.

About the Author

Jack P. Hailman has been a backpacker for more than forty years and, with Elizabeth D. Hailman, has camped all over Wisconsin. They have both retired from working at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was professor of zoology and she was an information processing consultant.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press; 1 edition (September 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 029916814X
• ISBN-13: 978-0299168148
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #753,940 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I wish I had bought a Falcon Guide, June 2, 2002

By 

C. Hayes (Kokomo, IN United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Backpacking Wisconsin (Paperback)

I do not like this book at all. Maybe it is because I am used to using Falcon Guides, but when I purchase a hiking or backpacking trail guide I expect good trail narratives, not a description of the author's hiking experience. I don't care what time they got into camp or what they had for dinner. In a backpacking book I expect some description of water availability from streams, lakes, etc. In this book the authors only describe whether or not public water is available at campsites. Since I have not found this book to be of much use in planning a backpacking trip to Wisconsin, I am now purchasing the Hiking Wisconsin Falcon Guide.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really good, exactly the info I couldn't find anywhere else., May 5, 2003

By 

Joseph Niemiec (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backpacking Wisconsin (Paperback)

This is a great book. I am into backpacking but never recieved good info about it in our state (I choose to save it for vacations out west - not anymore). I really like how the authors put the book together with ratings of trails and persoanl experience. Excellenet organization. Unlike the other reviewer I think the personal accounts are much needed as they help describe exactly what it was like when the authors were there. This is exactly what Wisconsin backpackers need. I didn't want to make the mistake of going backpacking in Wisconsin and having it turn into something that was too civilized. This book describes what kinds of things are at the campsites or if campsites exist at all(then one must wilderness camp--my favorite). It acts as a guide as to which places will better suite your particular taste for backpacking so you aren't wasteing your whole summer trying to find good places to go.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book if your'e planning on backpacking in Wisconsin, March 9, 2001

By 

T. DuPree (Milwaukee, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backpacking Wisconsin (Paperback)

This is a pretty darn good book. I live in Milwaukee and am pretty familiar with most of the places described. The info is accurate, and there's enough of it. A lot of good maps, too. The authors have divided the state into 5 backpacking regions and in each region they've listed many of the best backpacking parks and trails. It's satisfying to know that the authors have themselves backpacked most of the areas they describe. A lot of good stuff in this book, including general backpacking "how-to" info in the first part, but... There is one piece of advice that I think is poorly thought out. On page 25, their advice is to not bring a cell phone into the woods and that it is of little potential help. They talk of the subject in somewhat unrealistic terms, and only of getting lost in the woods and completely ignore other potential problems such as a medical emergency. As an experienced backpacker, I can tell you as they do... DON'T go into the woods if you aren't prepared for emergency and what to do if you get lost, but, if things do go bad and you have a cell phone with you (especially one of those really small, lightweight ones with a wide coverage area) you could be darn glad you brought it. Keep it turned off, use it only in emergencies and pray that it sends and receives OK from your location. This is the biggest potential problem with cell phones in an emergency, but coverage is getting better and technology is giving us more reliability. Their advice should have been (as it is in many other backpacking articles)...Bring a cell phone (with a fresh battery) if you want to, but understand that it is NOT guaranteed to work, keep it turned off except ONLY for emergencies and it is NO SUBSTITUTE for knowledge and smart preperation. Having said that (it's a small point that I made a big deal of)... DO buy this book if your'e looking at a backpacking trip in this wonderful state.