Customer Reviews

Best Hikes with Dogs Western Washington

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I agree with both the two positive reviews and (somewhat) the one negative review prior to mine. It is an excellent, inspiring book full of good information. It does not--and I don't see how it possibly could--give you essential up-to-date information on these trails. Dan Nelson even acknowledges as much on page 48: "No guidebook can provide all the details of a trail, nor stay current with constantly changing conditions of trails, stream crossings, access roads, and administrative rules." He goes on to list sources of current information. For that, one useful resource is the web site of the Washington Trails Association, http://www.wta.org . They have trip reports that give you details such as where trees have blown down, which roads are washed out, and where trail crews have recently made improvements. The book's lack of up-to-the-minute information is a legitimate point to raise, but not a reason for a negative review.

Besides the information on specific trails, Mr. Nelson provides valuable tips on caring for your dog while in the backcountry. You will be miles from help, so it is vital that you anticipate your dog's needs in addition to the Ten Essentials for humans. He gives tips on Doggie first aid, trail etiquette, and canine equipment.

If I had to find a flaw with this book, it is that some of the pictures that would have looked spectacular in color end up rather bland in black and white. This is no doubt a compromise on printing costs. Other than that, it is an extremely useful book that will repay you many times the purchase price in avoided headaches. Dogs make excellent hiking companions, with the proper training and preparation, and this book will help you form some of the fondest memories of your life. Further, if you don't know the information in this book, you have no business being on wilderness trails with your dog, for the sake of your dog and for the sake of others. Read this book, or else stay home.

Dogs belong with us on the trails. I gnash my teeth every time I think that they are prohibited from so many National Park Trails! After all what does more damage, our heavy lug sole boots or their soft, quiet paws? As a woman hiking, I feel so much more comfortable with my friendly canine companion There is something special about being in the wilderness with another species, almost like having a translator along, Dan cathes this feeling. He gives excellent advice on excellent hikes. The directions are clear, the hikes well described and well chosen. I have used and enjoyed the book.

For all of you contemplating a hike with your furry friend, plseas keep the canine on a leash, pleas pick up any dog droppings, please do not let your animal frighten people or other wildlife. I want to keep hiking with my dog! No one wants to step in dog droppings, no one wants to be lunged at or barked at, no one wants to see a dog chasing wildlife. So please be an exemplary dog companion. If we show dogs and their humans can be responsible on the trails, maybe more trails will open up to us! If we are rude and irresponsible we will loose the trails we can now walk.

Dan wrote a great hiking guide. I hope he expnads it with some companion books. How about hiking with your dog in Oregon, Idaho, etc.

I purchased this book a few days ago and have already done two hikes in the Olympics. While the trail descriptions themselves are generally okay (mileage markers are suspect) and it provides area and trail starting points for a Washington newbee like me, the directions to the trail head for both hikes was completely wrong. If you purchase this book, buy a forest map as well, or stop at a ranger station for correct directions to the trail head. Wrong turn directions (right instead of left - that sent me 40 minutes out of the way) and, road name errors. I ran into someone on the trail who had the book who said the same thing happened to them.

Lots of great places and advice for taking your dog with you on the trails. Camping will be fun this year!

The title speaks for itself. Thanks for being so punctual and sending the product in the condition you said it was in. I'm a very satisfied customer.

If you like hiking and want places to take your pooch THIS is your book! It has hikes all over the state of Washington from easy to challenging that you can take your dog on. Anything from a couple hours to a couple days! I love this book!!!

Eighty dog-friendly hikes will keep you busy all year. Textual descriptions walk you through the trails, giving you a step-by-step description of what to expect. Also included is the mileage, hiking time, elevation gain, best hiking months for the trail, contour map, ranger district contact information, and photos. The only downside is that the directions to the trail are incorporated into the textual description -- this makes for a seamless description of getting to and hiking on the trail, but a little cumbersome for actual driving. However, Droopy the Explorer Dog definitely recommends this winner!

This book has many great hikes,, but I do not like the layout. It is not nearly as easy to read as other hiking guides such as the Falcon Guides, ,or my favorite, the Sullivan guides for my area. I find I don't use this one much.

I disagree with the first two reviews. If you want a book to give you dog friendly hikes this is a start but the trail information on the hikes I tried was not very accurate. I even got stopped on one hike where the trail had been washed out several years prior to the publishing of this book. Use another source to actually make the hike or you will be disappointed.

This is a very good book, My dog and I have gone on many hikes after reading this