Customer Reviews

Explorer's Guide 50 Hikes in the Ozarks: Walks, Hikes, and Backpacks in the Mountains, Wildernesses, and Geological Wonders of Arkansas and Missouri (Explorer's 50 Hikes)

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

 

 

This is a very handy little book to own if you are into the hiking thing at any level. I say this, but always remember that not any one book can meet all needs. I certainly would not use this book, and this book alone to plan my entire book. I have hiked many of the trails; both in Missouri and Arkansas over the years, and can say for certain that the information in this volume is pretty accurate. That being said.....

As the title would indicate, this is a book dealing with 50 hiking trails located in the Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks. It should be noted that a few of these trails are outside the area that traditionally are known as the Ozarks, some of those located in Eastern Missouri being the most notable. Each of the trails is given an entire chapter and one black and white photo to represent some aspect of the trail. The author has included total distances, hiking time, vertical rise, rating (easy, mild, difficult, etc.), and maps with GPS coordinates. The author has done a pretty good job of describing the trail, identifying and specific difficulties and letting the hiker know the nature of the facilities at each location. It should be noted here that the author's distances will differ somewhat from government and local literature. I would highly recommend that you go by the author's figures rather than the government figures as they are much more accurate. I would also recommend that you pick up local literature at the site of the trail before you begin the hike, ignoring the distances, but paying close attention to other trail tips and camp locations, if applicable.

Some of the location directions of some of these trails are a bit general and I do recommend you purchase a map of the local area, or at least a good, detailed state map. The author's directions are very accurate, but due to the nature of Arkansas and Missouri roads, it is good to have all the information available possible.

All in all, this is a useful book to have around if you are contemplating hiking the area. Most of these hikes are an absolute delight. Do keep in mind that some are quite difficult and you should take heed to the author's comments concerning these difficulties. Other trails are quite easy...all, easy or difficult are worth the effort. I am giving this one four stars as I feel some of the directions as to actually getting to the location of the trail are a bit confusing. Also, I have some mild issues with the author's opinion as to what constitutes the difference between "difficult, easy, moderate, etc." This is a pretty subjective area. Other than that, this is a fine book.

Good rough location map. Good spreadsheet on hikes. 1 for Mo and 1 for AR but I added page numbers to find the hike rather than use his hike numbers. I only checked some AK hikes but the MO hikes are of the same caliber. The hikes are in the north west part of AR in a tight cluster so you can stay at a central location. They range from 1 to 12 miles. Entering the state you can pick up flyers for the more public state park hikes further south. Directions to trailheads are good but sometimes you may have to ask for help. This is a function of location and nothing to do with lack of detail. GPS Coordinates are listed for each place. The hikes appear to be at more remote locations tnen are mentioned in some other MO and AR hiking books. Each hike has a black and white picture of a feature found on the hike.
This is a worthwhile book to have and is in the same style and detail as his other books.

I recently purchased this book and have already had the opportunity to use it on the trails. It is a worthy source of info that will serve you well. The excellent photographs will leave you eager to begin your next hiking trip in the ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas so that you can see these magical places for yourself.

This book is the perfect hiking planner partner. Covers all the bases, lets you know up front what to expect, sights you will see along the way. I love this book, it gives you great directions on how to get to these places. Living in AR I can vouch that they are not all marked, some are hidden and you have to know what you are looking for. Lets you know about nearby camping, all you have to do is go online and find out the details, like fees and procedures to reserve if any. Perfect for weekend backpacker/hiker such as me. My dog, this book, and camp equip is all I need.

I own several Tim Ernst books and this one, though not written by Tim, is a great little book. It has a nice at-a-glance spreadsheet at the very beginning on the trails listed, first by the ones in AR followed by the ones in MO. Each trail is numbered consecutively and lists name, city, distance, views (waterfalls, camping, etc), and comments. Great tool for my Type A personality! lol Great purchase as long as you know that you need to use other tools as well--I certainly would not use this book, and this book alone to plan my entire hike.
Judy

This book has nice hikes and fairly good directions to the trail head. I have used this book to find 5 or 6 good places to hike with my 8 year old.

I have not had the opportunity to explore most of the hikes described in this book, but based on what I've seen to date the author does a very good job of giving directions and describing the terrain. As a Northwest Arkansas resident, I like the fact that the book covers trails in Arkansas and Missouri, as most books define the scope of the subject matter by state. My only complaints, both minor, are that the 25/25 theme means some good areas are left out, and trail directions are not always as clear as one would like, which is probably more a function of the trail than a fault of the author's. A good supplement to Tim Ernst's guides to hiking trails and nature areas in Arkansas.