Customer Reviews

A FalconGuide to Dinosaur National Monument, 2nd (Exploring Series)

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First, it's important to say that I'd recommend this book to anyone planning a trip to Dinosaur National Monument, especially for those wanting to make the most of the limited trail system and the more difficult and logistically-fraught river trips. However, Dinosaur is an incredible corner of the planet and the hollow writing in this book does little to inspire prospective visitors. It's almost as if the authors, who clearly know the area well, lack any sort of spiritual connection with the place. In short, for nuts and bolts information, it's great, but don't rely on it for inspiration.

First, some background. I've been to Dinosaur twice, first as a kid and then as an adult with tween kids. We spent most of two days there, on the auto tours, nature walks, and short hikes along the southern part of the park. I'd like to get back and visit the less-accessible regions, as well as heading off into the backcountry.

The book consists of several parts: a brief overview and some tips on desert hiking, an introduction to the fossil quarry and the region's many pieces of rock art, a guide to driving tours in both the mostly-paved frontcountry and the mostly-unpaved remoter areas, guides to the nature hikes and hiking trails, and information about running the rivers.

I can confirm that the information is accurate for the frontcountry drives, nature walks, and hikes. As a result, I would be comfortable using this book to plan auto trips to the more remote areas, and taking the marked trails. The writing is not inspirational, but it is informative, and it will get you around. Unless you plan to stay only in the frontcountry, you'll also want the Trails Illustrated Map #220, which the Gildarts also recommend.

The book isn't much help for my off-trail backcountry planning. I know of some web resources to help there. If you are looking for advice on exploring trail-less canyons and washes this is not the book for you, aside from general background information.

The last section is a bit unusual in such guide books. Rather than being a "guide," it consists of their stories of running the Green and Yampa rivers. This makes the book more personal, confronting their own fears over some rapids, and so forth. It also has the effect of making the section seem less "authoritative." Given how much river levels can change, the Gildarts made a reasonable choice here - - their trip was unique, and yours will be, too.