Best Hikes with Children in Michigan [Paperback]

Jim DuFresne (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books (July 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898864933
• ISBN-13: 978-0898864939
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,359,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Travel > United States > States > Michigan

More About the Author

I have a has deep rooted passion for two things; sunsets and shoreline, no doubt the result of living my entire life in the two states that have more coastline than any other; Alaska and Michigan.

After graduating from Michigan State University with a journalism degree, I was soon headed to Juneau, Alaska as the outdoors and sports editor of the Juneau Empire. In 1980, I became the first Alaskan sportswriter to win a national award from Associated Press. More significant than the award or even receiving a letter of congratulations from Governor Jay Hammond, I discovered my passion for the mountains and wilderness travel while living in Alaska's capital city.

Soon after that I spent a winter in New Zealand to backpack and write my first book, "Tramping in New Zealand". Six editions and 30 years later "Tramping in New Zealand" is the world's bestselling guidebook to backpacking in that country. That longevity is true with several of my books. "Isle Royale National Park: Foot Trails & Water Routes" that I wrote soon after returning to Michigan has been in publication in various editions for more than 25 years.

Today I live in Clarkston, Michigan where I'm never more than an hour's drive from the shoreline of the Great Lakes. I am main contributor to www.MichiganTrailMaps.com, a resource web site devoted to trail users and the promotion of trails in my home state. I still head back to Alaska frequently to update my Lonely Planet guidebooks, only now I don't have to stay for the winter. In Michigan, I can usually be found out on the trail throughout the year, whether it is hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just right, and fills a real need., August 14, 2003

By 

Lorenzo F. Gonzalez "Outdoors Adrenaline Geek" (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Hikes with Children in Michigan (Paperback)

Get your kids out-of-doors! Jim's books are all good - but this one fills an important niche, and does so just perfectly. It's really not comprehensive, as Michigan offers some excellent day-hiking, and much of it is appropriate for kids. But there's more than enough to keep you and young explorers busy, and Jim's excellent notes on each hike will help you decide which to try first. Kids over 9 or 10 (especially those already very out-doors oriented) might be bored with many of these. But that fact is part of what makes the book so valuable. These hikes are actually the harder ones to find - hikes that are especially appropriate for really young kids (and perhaps their weary or indoorsy parents). The trails are short, sweet, and especially entertaining.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, July 13, 2006

By 

jharterman (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Best Hikes with Children in Michigan (Paperback)

This book is a must-have if you're visiting Michigan with small kids. It is better than expected. There is great variety -- different types of hikes for different ages and abilities, even backpacking. The maps are good, and each hiking adventure is well described with all the information you need. Much more than hiking -- also camping and backpacking, as well as fishing and boating options. Many of the hikes are great for adults, too, who are just beginning to hike or backpack.