Customer Reviews

Best Summit Hikes in Colorado: An Opinionated Guide to 50+ Ascents of Classic and Little-Known Peaks from 8,144 to 14,433 feet

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is not a permutation of some other work ... this is a fresh, unique guidebook. After you have been through Gerry Roach's books, Dawson's, and related classics, you know a lot about the 14ers and the near-14ers. But how about the "best of the best" without regard to altitude?

For my tastes, I want to see those finest places, and not disqualify peaks that don't meet an altitude requirement. Like Bison Peak and Storm King. Places I would not know about from the most popular summit guides.

Thanks James Dziezynski! I may not be able to pronounce your last name, but I darned sure appreciate your hard work and great authorship.

Clearly, I recommend this book if you are looking for mountaineering ideas or exceptional climbs.

I really enjoy hiking and camping in the backcountry of Colorado and I'm always curious about new places to hike. So when I saw this book I was intrigued and very curious about what it had to offer.
Using this guide for a couple hikes its definitely become the best guide book I've used as it's very easy to use in the field, it's engaging with a unique author flare, thorough and very interesting. A definite "must have" to add to your guide book collection.
What attracted me to this book was the beautiful pictures on the cover and the diversity of hikes, many I've not heard of before, within its pages! Hike and Trailhead descriptions are written in an easy to follow manner and the directions have been thorough and very accurate. It's obvious that a lot of time was spent researching these aspects. It's also really helpful that the intro page to each hike has an elevation graph, a mile by mile break down of the hike, interesting things you'd expect to see on the hike and wheather its a good day hike or one for camping. Also what's made the book a great guide in my opinion are the maps with GPS coordinates and the interesting tid-bits of historical info. included at the end of each hike description. Even more are the fun trivia questions in the Appendix section of the book! I've learned some really neat things so far!
From cover to cover this a great guide and I am happy to have bought it!

Ever since meeting the author while hiking Mt. Powell (one of the chapters in this book), I have looked forward to the release of this book. It didn't disappoint! As an avid hiker/climber living in the Colorado mountains, I have hiked many of the peaks described in this book. The route descriptions appear accurate and full of useful detail.
I especially appreciate the detailed driving instructions, altitude profiles and optional routes. The "Why Climb It?" section in each chapter definitely whets the appetite for the hikes shown. Dziezynski interjects his rather off-beat sense of humor and personal experiences to make it more enjoyable and less of a "just the facts ma'am" sort of book. I highly recommend this book to both the seasoned mountain veteran and the casual tourist visiting the Colorado mountains for the first time.

This is a very good guide - with a fresh selection of mountains and routes, mostly off the beaten path. We used it a lot during our 2008 summer vacation. There is the occasional error, and some of the authors descriptions of the difficulties may lead to unerving experiences for those not well accustomed to exposure. Nevertheless - highly recommended.

James Dziezynski does a wonderful job of both engaging the reader and informing them of what to look forward to on the hikes described. I have traveled a couple of the mountains mentioned in the book and found the descriptions and recommendations to be quite accurate as to what to expect on each trek. James' writing has me very much looking forward to my next Colorado adventure so that I can explore some more of it's peaks. Huzzah!

I purchased this guide a year ago. I found it extremely helpful, largely because it includes GPS waypoints and accurate maps. Another thing I like about the book is the peaks it recommends aren't simply the 14ers. It recommended others for their beauty or features. For example, I followed the book's recommendation to check out Bison Peak, a 12,000-foot-plus peak in the Lost Creek Wilderness that was topped with very unusual rock formations we explored for hours. It didn't have the crowds that I've found on the 14ers. I plan to check out more Colorado Peaks in 2012.

I have read this book and was inspired to bag more of the 14ers when I visit the CO area. It is written well with a very personal flair. The book also contains a lot of technical information such as maps, hiking milage, hiking time, class rating, and a much more. This book contains about everything, besides gear, to get you out and enjoying the 14ers in CO. Easy and enjoyable reading.

Not that James Dziezynski's book needs another five star review, but I can't resist.

Two things make this book a standout:

1) The complete description of each hike, with detailed maps, way points, and often, pictures. His ratings are clear, and his multi-point classifications (distance, difficulty, class, etc. - all fully explained) really tell the whole story. After reading a hike description here, you'll have as good an idea of what you are getting into as you can without having walked the trail yourself. And best of all Dziezynski makes sure you can find the trailhead (don't laugh, you'd be surprised how difficult it can sometimes be). His descriptions should be a model for all trail guide writers.

2) The choice of hikes is interesting, eclectic, and makes you want to explore areas in Colorado you may not have been before. I've lived in the state off and on for over 20 years, and I'd read a hike description here, scratch my head, and take out my map ('Colorado Road & Recreation Atlas' from Benchmark Maps - an excellent companion to this or any Colorado hiking guide) to figure out just where here is talking about. Better still: its one thing to read a hike description that makes you want to get your boots on; its another to inspire you to find more in the area. Dziezynski does both, admirably.

Quibbles?

Sure, if you insist. There is a bit of a Front Range bias in his choices (but hey, that's where most folks live). And this is a book for people who have put a few miles on. The self-identified easiest hike here is Hahns Peak (rising to 10,839' from the trailhead, taking up to 4 hours). Even some of middle level hikes are beyond my abilities (but they sure are fun to read).

Don't put too much stock in these halfhearted jibes. If you are only going to buy one basic hiking guide to Colorado, this should be a top contender.

And Mr. Dziezynski, its been almost five years, this book needs a sequel.

I highly recommend this book if you want to get familiar with the mountain climbing in Colorado. It is an excellent reference for all your needs.

WOW- I sure am glad I found this book! The 14ers are terrific- but during the summer its like Grand Central Station up thar! Many of the lower peaks are a true adventure- Great Book! Full Marks! Dr. Robert Bruck NC State University