Great Hikes in the Poconos: and Northeast Pennsylvania [Paperback]

Boyd & Linda Newman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Hiking guide to the state's biggest tourist area

Varied hikes are appropriate for all abilities

An easy-to-use guidebook to more than 40 favorite hikes in northeast Pennsylvania (north of Route 78, east of Route 15). Each hike begins with a table listing hike distance, elevation, directions to trailhead, interesting features along the way, handicapped accessibility, duration of hike, hiking surface description, permissibility of hunting, and facilities, followed by a short narrative that describes in more detail where to go and what to see on each hike. Each hike includes a topographic map with the selected route marked. The hikes vary from easy to moderate to challenging.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Newmans (Hikes Around Philadelphia) have written a detailed, interesting description of 42 favorite hikes and 11 nature trails in the Poconos and northeast Pennsylvania. Listed geographically, the hikes were chosen for specific features (such as waterfalls and legends) and specific wildlife (such as raptor migration). Each entry includes detailed descriptions of the route to follow plus local legends and where to look for specific animal and plant life. Relevant personal observations, often of interesting animals or plants seen, add a nice touch. Elevation, distance, time to hike, surface conditions, and facilities are also included. The 11 nature trails follow the same format, and the appendix includes a list of 15 hikes with some disability access. This very practical guide will be useful to public libraries whose clientele are likely to hike in this region.
-Alison Hopkins, Queens Borough P.L., Briarwood
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811727734
• ISBN-13: 978-0811727730
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,188,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative, July 24, 2005

By 

duke_87 (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Hikes in the Poconos: and Northeast Pennsylvania (Paperback)

This is a good book, it gave me lots of ideas for hiking that I doubt I would've found otherwise. The hike descriptions are generally informative, giving you an idea of interesting features, terrian, elevation changes, ect. Also, a great idea is the use of GPS coordinates for locating trailheads- I found them very useful.

The only thing keeping this from a 5 star rating is the maps/directions once your on a hike. To be fair, I'm a recreational hiker at best, but using the directions and reference points given, it was easy for me to get off course and I often spent alot of time backtracking. I've had several disappointing hikes where I didn't get to see all of the features that I had wanted to.

I wish they would've went further with the GPS locating and listed coordinates for different features and waypoints along the hike to make it easier to stay on course. But, overall this is a good book for hiking NE Pennsylvania.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Book, February 28, 2008

By 

Cakes - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Hikes in the Poconos: and Northeast Pennsylvania (Paperback)

This is a decent book and it's fair to say worth the $20.00 even though I was able to withdraw it from the Library ;) ! I agree with the previous reviewer about the directions being vague while on the hike. I am an avid hiker and familiar with the area and even I had trouble. SEVERAL TIMES I WAS FRUSTRATED BY THEIR TRAIL GUIDES... The one about Shohola Lake comes to mind immediatley -- that was a long day LOL. The authors need to realize that the more info you can give the better -- there is never such a thing as too much info when you're trying to find trailheads and trails!
As far as directions to the trailheads (which really is the most important and hardest to get information for) I was satisfied with...They gave directions down to the last 10th of a mile! But I recommend purchasing a map of the region as well so you can cross reference the information. Please also note that this book has featured a limited number of hikes in the area, but definitely enought to get you started.... -- I was aware of most of them but it's fun to follow along with the authors as you make your journey...just don't use it as your hiking bible -- internet search for any and all info you can obtain about the hike that you're about to embark on. You'd be surprised about how much info you can find out there! localtrails.com

3.0 out of 5 stars Get it from your library, July 12, 2011

By 

Brad Nelson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Hikes in the Poconos: and Northeast Pennsylvania (Paperback)

The authors bring to light some fine hikes, but their directions while on the trail can be ambiguous, bordering on the nonsensical. The trail guide writer's task is simple, but not easy: above all else, write with clarity. Bring an extra water bottle and be prepared to do some back tracking.