Customer Reviews

100 Classic Hikes in Arizona

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

 

 

I bought this book best on the excellent recommendations
found in this site, and I was quite disappointed.
Some pointers to consider:
- The book is printed on chromo paper, making it too heavy for its size
in your backpack.
- The maps are tiny schematic things, giving you zero appreciation of
the topography you will traverse through.
- Has enough photos to fit coffee table display, BUT has no
gradings of hikes for quality. If you have limited time in AZ you will
not know how to cherry pick based on this book. Picking trails based on
one narrow-view photo is not optimal.
- For desert country most trails in this book are in-out the same way rather
than loops.
- Many hikes are concentrated near big cities. Do you really want to climb
a ridge for commanding views of Tucson or Phoenix?
And eventually spend the night in a camp site 1-2 hrs drive from these?
- The NE and W are almost ignored (see p.11, using this book).
It is not a bad hiking book. Just definitely not a great one,
and probably not quite for serious hikers.

I really like this book (though I'd hoped for a bit more in the white mountains) it is quite varied and has great, concise trail descriptions. But my problem with it is quite serious; how do you get to the starting points of ANY of these hikes? They say things like "near Prescott" or "at the Grand Canyon" but don't tell which highways go there. The maps are great OF the trail but don't tell you how to get TO the trailhead. I know there is more than one route to almost any point, but a number in a vague area on a map in the front of the book really doesn't cut it. Hopefully in the next edition they will give the maps a bit wider scope.

Arizona is a great state to hike. Even without the magnificent hikes in and around the Grand Canyon, there are plenty of other trails to explore and enjoy. This book does it all! It is an exceptionally well-designed book for hikers across the spectrum. Whether you're a neophyte or have climbed Denali, this book contains all the essential information you need to tackle the hikes listed. The photos are all in color and are breathtaking! You really get a sense of what each hike will look like before you undertake it. Every hike also has a color map to accompany the text description. The maps are easy to follow and instructive.

Equally pleasing is that the authors take the time to describe each hike in extensive detail, though they are never wordy. They list the elevation gains, give succinct but necessary directions to each trailhead and provide ample analysis of the strengths/weaknesses of each trek. The book is small and light enough to carry in your backpack, if you feel the need to consult it while on the trail.

I have over 50 hiking books in my library and it would be hard to imagine a more complete, more photographically stunning or better written guide. I enthusiastically recommend this gem!

This guide looks great. In addition to short descriptions, each hike has a color topo map, elevation profile and color pictures. However, the closer I reviewed the guide, the more frustrated I became with the photos. Some are very informative, capturing a highlight along the trail or overview of the area. But some of the pictures are worthless to me as I try to get a feel for the trail or scenery. For two different hikes the only picture is a close up of pine needles and several others show fallen logs, leaves, etc that could have been taken in someone's backyard. Four hikes in a row show pictures of cacti. Seeing all this different plant life is something I enjoy, but I think it could have been included in the "Flora & Fauna" section with more informative pictures included with each hike.

I am not an Arizona resident, so I only have the oportunity to hike there every now and then. This book has helped me to find some of the nicer spots, and go on those hikes well prepared. Maps are pretty good (although it seems that one of them was a little off in scale... not sure though... the textual description was extremely accurate).

The book is beatifully illustrated, and well written. A must-have for hiking enthusiasts.

From Arizona's gorges, to desert terrain, to streambeds and more...this book has pics and descriptives of them all. If you want to experience Arizona's plant life and varied terrains, then set out on a course of your choice and take along this book to enjoy it to the fullest.

Moved to Arizona about a year ago and bought this book to get pointed in the right direction for hike selection. I find it easy to use. I just photo copy the page of the hike as the book is too heavy to take with me. As I travel the state I select a hike that's near my current location. I have found the hiking time given is accuate and it's nice to have info on "Difficulty" and elevation gain. I have had to get another map or use a map search to get me to the trailhead as I'm not yet familiar with the state. Would recommend.

This book is printed on good quality paper. The color pictures and hike descriptions give the reader a feel for the terrain. Since I live on the east coast my time out West is limited to seven to ten day vacations. With so many things one can see and do on a vacation in Arizona, choosing is difficult. This book helped me cherry pick the hikes. A state map of Arizona
in the front of the book shows the location of all 100 hikes, so you know what hikes are available for any part of the state.

This is not so great; there were important trails missing, such as Black canyon trail, high desert trail, badger spring trail, all missing.
Isaac

I ordered 2 copies of 100 Classic Hikes in Arizona, one for myself & one for my sister. We were both very pleased with the books. Thank you