Customer Reviews

50 Best Short Hikes in California Deserts: In and Around Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Mojave Preserve (Hiking & Biking)

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

 

 

This book lives up to its title by concentrating on shorter hiking adventures in and around Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Mojave National Preserve. Although the hikes are brief, many visitors to desert areas are in search of hikes that are possible even in the hotter parts of the year - a five mile round trip in summer at Death Valley can be quite tiring for even a fit hiker! The maps included in the book would have been more usefully placed next to the trail descriptions but this is a minor grumble. If you hike with children then consider this volume as each hike includes a recommended child age range for each trip.

I own three guides written by John Krist and immensely enjoy both his writing style and approach to hiking. Unlike some Wilderness Press authors, Krist focuses on walks virtually anyone can enjoy. Long arduous treks of 10 or more miles simply do not appear in his books. Instead one is treated to a wide variety of short and pleasant outings. He even includes a "Child Rating" for each hike to help parents decide where to take their kids. Although I tend to prefer mountain and coastal hiking to walking in the desert, I have managed over the years to walk most of the trails in this book and generally found them pleasant breaks from my usual hiking routine.

I am therefore somewhat surprised by the complaints of other reviewers. I found his maps easy to understand and use. His trail descriptions include adequate directions to the trailhead. Finally, Krist gives a solid introduction to natural and human history in the parks without being overly technical. I find this sort of background information adds to my enjoyment of a region. The only reason I give this book four stars and not five is for what Krist does not cover. It is simply unthinkable that a book on California Deserts should ignore Anza Borrego Desert State Park. For coverage of that region you simply need to look elsewhere. But the hikes Krist includes here are all winners.

Although the trails are well described and a fair amount of geological and historical background is presented, the trail maps make this book almost worthless. For instance, Hike No. 22 is shown on Map No. 18. The trail is described on page 70 and the map is on page 180. Does this sound confusing? It is. Also, the overview maps for each park show campgrounds and ranger stations, but they don't show where the individual trails are located. These desert parks are enormous, and the lack of good overview maps makes it nearly impossible to determine, for instance, what hikes are near the south entrance to Joshua Tree. Pass on this book.

The photo of the arrastra is not a photo of the one at Pinto Wye. The heavy growth of junipers is only one tree. The description of this hike was inaccurate. A more reliable description is needed for adequate preparation for a hike.