Glaciers of California: Modern Glaciers, Ice Age Glaciers, the Origin of Yosemite Valley, and a Glacier Tour in the Sierra Nevada (California Natural History Guides) [Paperback]

Bill Guyton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 2001 | Series: California Natural History Guides

Glaciers in sunny California? Many people will be surprised to learn that there are several hundred in this state, ranging in size from the impressive Whitney Glacier on Mt. Shasta and the Palisade Glacier in the Sierra Nevada to tiny glacierets. While California's glaciers are small compared to those in the northern Rockies or the European Alps, each one is interesting and some are suitable for exploring. Also of note is the fact that Ice Age glaciers carved California's most spectacular mountain scenery--the High Sierra was glaciated several times and glacial landforms are prominent features of the Sierran landscape today.
Bill Guyton summarizes the history of the discovery of Ice Age glaciation and modern-day glaciers in California, as well as the development of modern ideas about the state's glacial history. He describes the controversy about the origin of Yosemite Valley and quotes from the colorful accounts of early mountain explorers such as John Muir, Josiah Whitney, and François Matthes. His book provides a primer on glaciers and glacial landforms, a glossary of technical terms, helpful illustrations, and a 100-mile Sierra field trip guide for readers who want to see glaciers and glacial features for themselves. Glaciers of California will make any visit to the mountains more interesting, whether one is carrying a camera, crampons, or a fishing pole.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I heartily recommend this book to anyone as an introduction to glaciers and glaciation in California. It presents a concise yet broad treatment of the topic in a clear, engaging style that builds a foundation of knowledge for reading more advanced literature. The advanced reader will be hard pressed to find a better organized synthesis of this material and should benefit from the historical context it provides and its numerous citations to other literature. Anyone should find the book a pleasure to read."--L. Allan James, "Geotimes

From the Inside Flap

"This book gives all California mountain lovers another reason to head for the hills. Guyton explains in layman's terms the subtle differences between glaciers, glacierets, and permanent snowfields . . . and takes us on a superlative 'glacier tour' of Yosemite National Park. This is a great addition to the mountain literature of the Golden State."--Steve Roper, author of Sierra High Route

"Geologist Bill Guyton explains clearly how glaciers work, how they form and move and what they do to the landscape. With excellent illustrations . . . this book is an eye-opener."--Mary Hill, author of Geology of the Sierra Nevada

"Guyton brings alive the ancient courses of glaciers into modern pathways for understanding. He transforms today's icy relics on the shadowed heights of the Golden State into crystalline visions of a very different past--and perhaps future--when global cooling reigned over the highlands."--Galen Rowell, photographer, author of Poles Apart

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (January 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520226836
• ISBN-13: 978-0520226838
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The layperson's guide to understanding glaciers, October 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Glaciers of California: Modern Glaciers, Ice Age Glaciers, the Origin of Yosemite Valley, and a Glacier Tour in the Sierra Nevada (California Natural History Guides) (Hardcover)

Bill Guyton, professor emeritus of geosciences at Cal State Chico, has
written an excellent book designed to teach people with little
knowledge of geology about the glaciers of California.

The book
discusses glaciers and ice ages in general, discovery of glaciers in
California, glacial chronology, and techniques used to determine ages
of glaciations; then goes on to describe ice-age and modern glaciers
throughout California. As a bonus, Guyton has included a chapter
about the controversy surrounded formation of Yosemite Valley and a
field trip through Yosemite on which readers may see glaciers and
their effects on the landscape.

Though the book is fairly complete,
well researched, and certainly well written, Guyton might have
discussed general concepts of glaciation a little bit more thoroughly.
In addition, Guyton omits recent highly controversial (and perhaps
faulty) research done in Yosemite by Jeffrey Schaffer (see _The
Geomorphic Evolution of the Yosemite Valley and Sierra Nevada
Landscapes: Solving the Riddles in the Rocks_, 1997).

The book,
however, is an excellent book for anyone wanting to learn more about
California's glaciers.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of California glaciers for the general public, January 7, 2000

By 

Douglas H. Clark (Bellingham, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Glaciers of California: Modern Glaciers, Ice Age Glaciers, the Origin of Yosemite Valley, and a Glacier Tour in the Sierra Nevada (California Natural History Guides) (Hardcover)

I essentially agree with the previous review, with the exception that the absence of references to J. P. Schaffer's work on glaciation in the Sierra Nevada should not be viewed as a problem with the book. Speaking as a glacial geologist who has worked extensively in the Sierra Nevada, the public should know that Schaffer's work has repeatedly failed to pass scientific peer review. Until it does so, it would be irresponsible for other authors, like Guyton, to present it in any publication purporting to be a synopsis of current scientific thinking. Guyton has done a very commendable job of summarizing the latest CRITICALLY REVIEWED thinking on timing and geomorphic effects of ancient glaciation in the Sierra. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about modern and ancient glaciers of California.

5.0 out of 5 stars Short, sweet, and very understandable., September 14, 2008

By 

George D. Smith (Clovis, CA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Glaciers of California: Modern Glaciers, Ice Age Glaciers, the Origin of Yosemite Valley, and a Glacier Tour in the Sierra Nevada (California Natural History Guides) (Paperback)

This is a basic, understandable review of the Ice Age and later glaciation of the mountains of California. The focus is on Yosemite, but other mountains in California are briefly covered. Glaciers that are present now date to the Little Ice Age, from 100- 700 years old only. They are shrinking fast. But older, "big" ice-age glaciers covered these mountains, starting with the glaciations of 1.5 million years ago. After reading the book, you understand why our mountains are so dramatically sculpted. The author briefly discusses the causes of cyclical changes in the temperature of the Northern hemisphere that accounts for recurrence of ice ages. There follows a good tour of Yosemite, by car,foot, and backpack, where you can see modern glaciers as well as the evidence of ancient ice ages. Many mountaineering terms (Col, Horn, Arête, Couloirs,etc) refer to mountain features that are products of glaciation, and are defined. There is a good glossary. Hikers, climbers, and mountain-visitors will enjoy this good book.