Customer Reviews

Don't Waste Your Time in the North Cascades: An Opinionated Hiking Guide to Help You Get the Most from This Magnificent Wilderness

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I decided to go with this book based on the excellent reviews and I have to say, I agree with all of them. The hikes I've done out of this book have been fantastic. The authors basically let you know how much "bang for your buck" you get on each hike, and they are right on. During the top rated hikes you get to amazing and varied scenery very quickly. Color photos would be nice, but you can't have everthing.. :)

The idea behind this book is that hikers in Washington's North Cascades, defined in this book as north of Stevens Pass/U.S. Route 2 to the Canadian border, primarily want to see scenic panoramas as distinct from primeval forest, lakes, rivers, birds and wildlife. If that's your primary goal then this hiking guide that describes 110 outings (25 mostly-short backpacks and the rest day hikes) may prove helpful.

For each hike there is a chatty opinion section telling why the authors liked or disliked the hike followed by a facts section providing a brief summary of how to get there and, in a general sense, how to follow the route. The authors rate each hike with a 1-4 boot print rating (1 = Don't Do and 4 = Premier).

Ironically the authors ridicule hikes they deem not scenic enough for the summer season but recommend them as so-called shoulder season hikes that present forested lower elevation waterways as a good thing to do when snow still blocks high country trails. Well, duh... Fully a third of the backpacks are rated "Don't Do" which makes me wonder why the authors don't suggest more recommended hikes.

I've hiked the majority of these trips and generally agree with the authors' assessment but not their conclusions. The fact is it's not possible to do many multi-day hikes in the North Cascades without traversing forested valleys that connect the higher elevation scenic gems. And many memorable trips, especially in the inevitable inclement weather common to the North Cascades, are memorable for the subtleties of forested wilderness and bodies of water as opposed to the grandeur of sweeping panoramas.

There is a detailed index of place names, three pages of official park and forest information sources with phone numbers (but few specific web listings), unremarkable b&w photographs and no large scale maps. A helpful introductory section for people unfamiliar with the region provides cautionary information about bears, cougars, noxious insects, etc.

At first I was skeptical, mostly because of the title, but I bought this book anyway. Wow. This is one of the best hiking guides I have ever read. The descriptions are clear, the directions easy to follow, and everything in the book matched the hike! I like the honest writing and the rating system, these make it easier to pick out hikes that fit my mood and overall shape of fitness, or lack of fitness in my case. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to explore the American Alps and get a great experience out of it.

This is a good guidebook for what they choose to cover. I have hiked the North Cascades for more than 25 years, and know the region well. While the authors are entitled to their opinions, and are up front about their prejudices, they dismiss offhand many wonderful destinations. I realize that they are attempting to only "hit the high points," but can't always agree with their appraisals. That being said, it is still a good resource for hikers interested in exploring the exquisite and sublime scenery of the North Cascades.

I believe this book has become the definitive North Cascade hiking guide-none of the others published thus far compares. The information is accurate, the writing enjoyable, and the recommendations are fantastic.

I think I've hiked almost all of the `highly recommended' (category 3 & 4) trails in the book, and certainly numerous trails that received lower recommendations or that aren't in the book. I've found the authors' advice to be right on-I've never been disappointed with an itinerary they suggested. Moreover, I have been pleasantly surprised by some of the more `obscure' recommendations, like Twisp Pass, Grasshopper Pass, or Pilot Ridge. Of course I have numerous minor qualms with the ratings of some trails, or with recommended loop directions (White Pass/Pilot Ridge loop should be hiked clockwise for example), but that's to be expected in any ratings process. This is especially true if one considers how the seasons and weather influence any Cascade hiking experience.

Yes, the ratings in the book are subjective, but those reviewers that complain about this are missing the point of the book. You are by no means `forbidden' from hiking on trails that receive a low recommendation, you're simply advised to choose others first. There must be around 1000 miles of highly recommended trails in here, and anyone that actually completes even half of them will have enough Cascade hiking experience to judge for themselves where to explore further.

I found this book so helpful, that I purchased the authors' 3 other books (Canadian Rockies, Kootenays, BC Coast). I've only had the opportunity to put the BC Coast book to the test, and it's good. I'm disappointed that the authors haven't produced a book for the American Rockies, from Montana to Colorado...what's the hold up! If I drive 9 hours from Seattle to hike in the Rockies, I don't want to pick a bummer trail :)

So I guess that's my last point. This is DEFINITELY the sort of book you want to buy if you're traveling from far away to hike in the Cascades or spending the summer in Seattle. Too many people travel to the Northwest and only visit Mt. Pilchuck, Mt. Si, Snow Lake, or the paved trails at Mt. Rainier. There's a lot more out there!

In addition to the glowing comments already posted (all of which are true), I would like to add that the book includes many trails in the Glacier Peak Wilderness region of Washington. It does not simply cover North Cascades National Park.

Living in the shadow of Mt. Baker, I am blessed with the opportunity of hiking the North Cascades all summer long. As a result, I've hiked many of the trails in this book, from "Premier" to "Don't Do." In my opinion, the Copeland's advice is right on track. Another reviewer said something to the effect of "if you read their book you'll miss a lot of opportunities." True, but no guide can cover every trail, and of the 104 trails featured, only 15 are classified as "Don't Do." If you're not familiar with the region this book can help you discover the real gems, which is worth the cost of the book if you only have a short time to spend in our little slice of heaven.

When faced with the 100+ hikes in some books it is hard to decide which trails have the most to offer. This book makes bold opinions about each hike and makes it easier to choose the ifeal hike. In addition I have never had a problem following their directions (I have with other books) and their opinions are always spot on. I have read many hiking books, this one is the best.

I've lived in Bellingham for most of my life. I know the Cascades well. I'm a very experienced hiker and mountaineer. That negative-minded Mike who put this book down isn't comparing apples with apples. Most hikers would be appalled with the difficulty of the scrambles in the book that he thinks is so good. Most people want trails and need trails. And there's a terrific network of trails in the Cascades. The Copelands' book is an invaluable guide for the vast majority of hikers.

What that Mike dude doesn't tell you is how much work it takes to go beyond the end the Perry trail and climb up those mountains unaided by trail. Dickerman has a moderately-ascending, switchbacking trail that makes the 3,700 foot ascent pleasant. Copelands didn't write their book for a handful of scramblers.

In addition to having thorough and accurate trail descriptions, this book is literature: intelligent, enjoyable, inspiring. And it's obvious the Copelands love hiking, as this quote displays: "At Whatcom Pass you'll stand in awe of cloud-bursting Whatcom Peak and heart-stopping Challenger Glacier. For those whose place of worship is the mountains, hiking this grand loop (Trip 88) feels like a pilgrimage."

Your reaction to this book will depend upon what you're looking for in a trail guide.

The descriptions are definitely opinionated and the prose can sometimes be overwrought; but the Copelands are up-front about their biases and how they're making their judgments. When time is limited, I find it incredibly valuable to have a set of opinions about which hikes to think about doing.

It's definitely not your standard "just the facts" trail guide, but I wouldn't want it any other way. There are too many trail guides that only list driving directions and a factual trail description, with no way to discern what makes a hike special.

One shortcoming to note: there are not even rudimentary maps, just references to the appropriate topo. Personally I feel that the honest opinions on which hikes are truly stellar--and why--more than make up for this lack.