Most hiking guides are written by backpackers who occasionally day hike. But most people are day hikers who occasionally backpack! So Sasquatch Books has created a series from the ground up just for them. Written for people who want to get out and sample the vaunted Northwest lifestyle with as little hassle and unpredictability as possible, the fresh style, content, and design will also win sales and loyalty from more experienced hikers. Since the book is organized in the way that people travel -- by major roads and highways -- it's easy to find trails without having to cross-reference three or four different guides. Also included are complete trail descriptions; easy-to-read USGS topo maps with elevation profiles; clear and up-to-date driving directions; overall trail ratings; mileage and estimated hiking time; elevation gain; trail conditions; difficulty level; best season; map references; exploring options; access; permits required; special notes on dogs, bikes, and kids; and where to find more information. A quick-reference chart to season and difficulty level as well as sharp, contemporary black-and-white photographs round out the guide.
Ron C. Judd, a longtime popular columnist for The Seattle Times, is the author of a broad range of nonfiction books, from works of humor to outdoor guides to a comprehensive guide to the Winter Olympics. One of the few (it seems) surviving natives of Washington state, he has worked as a journalist for 25 years, along the way becoming one of the world's foremost authorites on the uses (and abuses) of big blue tarps. His latest work, "The Winter Olympics" gives readers a rare and refreshing look inside the Olympic Games, one of the world's great events. He lives with his wife, Meri-Jo, in Bellingham, Wash.
