Fifty Hikes in the Hudson Valley: From the Catskills to the Taconics, and from the Ramapos to the Helderbergs [Paperback]

Peter Kick (Author), Barbara McMartin (Author), James McMartin Long (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

This book is outdated and has been out of print for years. Please do not rely on it for wilderness use. Written at a time when there was little if any reliable information about longer hikes in the Catskills, this book was very popular and soon became a classic on the subject. It did very well over the years.  It was a great book while it lasted. This title should not be sold any longer, as it is so badly dated, nor should it be reviewed as a contemporary volume, though it continues to be. 

Product Details

• Paperback: 221 pages
• Publisher: Backcountry Pubns; 2nd edition (July 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881502928
• ISBN-13: 978-0881502923
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,737,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars LIFE-THREATENING! DANGEROUS!, October 17, 2000

By 

Michele Host (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fifty Hikes in the Hudson Valley: From the Catskills to the Taconics, and from the Ramapos to the Helderbergs (Paperback)

Two weekends ago, a friend and I decided to enjoy the fall foilage by doing some hiking. We picked up "50 Hikes in the Hudson Valley" and were on our way. We chose to hike Mount Taurus, outside of Cold Springs (Hike #7). We carried the book with us, and never strayed from marked areas. Nonetheless . . .

BY TRYING TO FOLLOW THIS BOOK'S INSTRUCTIONS, WE ENDED UP STUCK ON MOUNT TAURUS IN THE COLD, DARK NIGHT FOR FOUR HOURS!!! If we had not had cell phones, and if the Cold Springs rescue team had not been as fabulous as it was, we would probably be dead.

The worst part, was that after the rescue team pulled us off Mount Taurus, they told us that during the last year FIVE GROUPS OF PEOPLE had been rescued -- after trying to hike using this book!

Unsurprisingly, I would advise that NO-ONE buy this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars There may be some inaccuracies, February 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fifty Hikes in the Hudson Valley: From the Catskills to the Taconics, and from the Ramapos to the Helderbergs (Paperback)

The writeups on the hikes are entertaining and informative. There is a considerable amount of history, botanical, and geological information here. I have found that when hiking the descriptions are not always accurate. Some of the landmarks, for example, didn't seem to be where they are explained. Also, some of the color markings for certain trails are either inaccurate or outdated. I recommend it as a good place to start for suggestions on places to hike. However, I would try to obtain more up to date maps or guides of the specific areas you're interested in before venturing out.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outdated but not Outclassed, January 3, 2005

By 

Hermann (Oliverea) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fifty Hikes in the Hudson Valley: From the Catskills to the Taconics, and from the Ramapos to the Helderbergs (Paperback)

I know the Catskills very well. And I will tell you that this book is among the very best when it comes to the Catskills. I don't know about the Hudson Valley area too much except to say that those are the areas that change the most. But the Catskills don't change that much--because it's all state forest preserve and Forever Wild. Still a good deal for enthusiast, especially at the price! Kick's History and original research has been copied by many other writers.