Customer Reviews

California Desert Byways: Backcountry Drives for the Whole Family

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

 

 

This spiral-bound book has a great one-page description/one-page map format which makes it easy to use in the car. Huegel has travelled backroads both familiar and less-known and his descriptions are accurate if a little bland. At times I wish he had expanded his prose beyond the rigid one page format but the visitor with a sharp eye can find the sites and sights he omits. He adventures with his family and avoids rough roads like the Lippincott Mine Road in DVNP (a wise decision as drivers need experience here) concentrating on easier routes, although the Inyo Mountain trip definitely needs 4WD (its pretty tough in spots). He also includes many routes outside the familiar park system proving that you don't have to go to a designated scenic area to enjoy driving in the California desert.

I find California Desert Byways really to be just right, since I'm not a hard-core four-wheeler. I just like getting off the beaten path and do some fun exploring, actually using my SUV's off-highway abilities. Since most of S. Calif. is desert, this book is a real good resource.

This is a really good guidebook for anyone who drives a stock sport-utility vehicle, and who wants to explore the backways of places like Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Anza-Borrego, Mojave Preserve and lots of lesser-known places in the California desert. Real handy, with a spiral binding and color maps.

I bought this book for a spring fling in Death Valley and other desert areas. I never realized before the places I could drive to, all the little dirt roads to really neat places. Glad I bought it.

California Desert Byways is an invaluable resourse for 4WD. The trail descriptions are extremely accurate, concise and helpful. I liked the photographs because they give a perspective on a tour. The list of resources, parks and places of interest in the back of the book is invaluable. I wish I had time to go on all the drives. Good job.

I bought this newer edition to replace the old one I lost. This edition has better coverage, photos, etc., and is improved over the old one. But it no longer has the spiral binding that made my old one easier to use. That's disappointing, but I guess its what inside that counts, and that part is still good.