Customer Reviews

Connecticut Walk Book

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

 

 

Each trail in this comprehensive book is described from start to finish with mileage given at each marker. The VERY detailed verbal descriptions of terrain, trail features, and surrounding flora MORE than make up for the maps, which are pretty unhelpful. In fact, for shorter hikes, the excellent descriptions render maps unnecessary (although I NOT endorsing hiking without a map). Although I'm rating this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the poor maps, I HIGHLY recommend this book to any and all hikers - you can get topo maps anywhere, but the top-notch trail guides in this book are hard to come by. Besides, it comes in a small 3-ring binder so you can take out just the pages you need or carry the tough, durable binder with you.

This book is a great resource for finding area hikes, determining the terrain and mapping your course. However, the one drawback I find is the maps are a little difficult to read (I have to highlight the trails I'm taking for quick reference on the hike), the road names are often barely legible, and the instructions for finding trail heads can be tricky. Be sure to remember your compass, even for short treks. Overall, I use and enjoy the book--I like the fact that I can remove maps as I need them and don't have to bring the whole book with me, and its a great place to start when looking for a spontaneous hike to a place I've never been on a nice day.

The Connecticut walk book over all is a good resource of the hiking trails in Connecticut. However, it does have flaws. When using this book as a guide be sure to read the description thoroughly. The book tends to jump around in its descriptions. The author discusses one trail and in mid paragraph begins to describe an intersecting side trail. With out missing a beat the author will fall right back to the original trail. This has proven to be a good technique for getting hikers off track and temporarily lost.

The book does provide maps for all the trails it discusses. However, not all the maps have north marked on them and many of them are hand-drawn. Several of the maps or not clear as to which trail is which but can be deciphered by reading the descriptions. A few maps have seemingly been reproduced so many times they are no longer clear. It is much like when you make a copy of a copy of a copy of anything, you start to loose information.

Although the descriptions may jump a little there is a great detail of information in them. These detailed descriptions often provide you with pinpoint accuracy as to where you are on the hike. If combined with purchased topographical maps of the area the book provides you with some outstanding hikes. Some great adventures have been had by many on these hikes and it is recommended you try some out for yourself. Overall the Connecticut Walk Book is an excellent research but the new hike should prepare properly before venturing on a hike.