Customer Reviews

Haunted Hikes: Spine-Tingling Tales and Trails from North America's National Parks

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been waiting a long time for this book to come out. As soon as it was released I bought it right away.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! It is absolutely fascinating!!!

This book includes: Ghosts, mysteries, Bigfoot, the unexplained, the hangman's noose in an old cabin at Skidoo Ghost Town (California), Haunted Old Faithfull Inn (Yellowstone), the haunted Stanley Hotel (in Estes Park- right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park), Mt. Rainier, Grand Canyon Lodge, Mesa Verde NP in Colorado, Crater Lake (Oregon), Smoky Mountains, Oregon Caves Chalet ghost, Channel Islands, Everglades, Cape Hatteras, missing persons, mysterious deaths, murders, curses, and much more!

This book was extremely well-researched. The author (a former national park ranger)- has so much knowledge and is an expert in her field.

A really neat addition is the "fright factor" skeleton icons next to each haunted hike around these bizarre, mysterious and haunted locations:

4 icons = "Gave me nightmares, and I'd rather not discuss them."
3 icons = "I get chills just thinking about it."
2 icons = "Very disturbing, but clowns are scarier."
1 icon = "Makes 7-year-olds giggle."


I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once you open it up and start reading --- you won't be able to put it down!

When you read Ms. Lankford's book, be prepared to get goosebumps or the chills, have the hair on your neck stand up, face one of your childhood fears or just plain get creeped out. She creeped me out with her very first story. It reminded me of two rules I have about bodies of water. One, if I can't see the bottom then I probably don't belong there and shouldn't go in. And two, if I don't heed my own advice and still go in then it's only to waist deep. No dangling legs for this boy.

With her exhaustive research and brash writing style, there is something enjoyable for everyone in this book. Even if you never plan to go to one of these park areas and walk the trails, it's still good to give yourself a good scare every now and again. And with tales of ghosts, grisly murders, strange creatures and unexplained phenomena, it's almost guranteed that something in her book will provide that good scare. If you're a fan of The X-Files or The Night Stalker or if you love a good short story by Ambrose Bierce, you'll enjoy this book.

Ms. Lankford, with her tales of the afterlife and death, has brought more life to these park areas and trails than any stodgy, NPS lifer could ever dream of doing.

This is a unique book because it combines the utility of a trail guide with the fun and entertainment of a well written history book. The quirky offbeat stories of ghosts, spooky legends, disasters and untimely deaths is followed up with concise directions on how to go out and actually experience the areas where these otherworldly phenomenons occurred.

The writer has spiced this book with her acerbic wit and keen insights into being a park ranger (which she was for many years). She has portrayed the rangers and park service in a realistic light, instead of the hagiographic view of selfless sainthood so often seen in other books dealing with the NPS. They are real people working in a large and impersonal bureaucracy. The story dealing with the last Miwok Indian to leave Yosemite due to government regulations and the resulting castrophe was a real scream to read.

This is a great trail guide that covers a lot of interesting historical material that you won't find anywhere else. It kept me, the reader, intrigued and excited about going out to see many of these places for myself. I can't wait to visit to Yosemite later this summer so I can go explore some of the places I read about in this book.

Truly enjoyed the book by Lankford! This author knows how to wrap a good story around an awesome trail. It was a quick read and full of little tidbits of knowledge. I never knew there was such a thing as the Pupfish, or murderers on the lamb like William Bishop, Jr. The history behind some of this nations greatest hikes is fascinating. Hats off to Lankford for adding mystery, humor, and a sense of wonder to hiking trails everywhere.

I picked this book up for my family for this Halloween and have already used it! I must say the kids read the book cover to cover before I could. They are quoting the stories and bugging me to take them on more haunted hikes. Apparently, our trip to the Barker Ranch in Death Valley only made them hungry for more. Reading this book while we were there really added to the history and drama of the place. And to see where Manson was apprehended (you have to get the book to know) made it all the creepier!

I don't get Schmalz's review? He's DEAD wrong!

Not just a book of haunted tales, but a history lesson in some of the most unusual occurences in our most popular wilderness areas. What I like about Andrea Lankford's style of writing is her leaving it to the reader to draw their own conclusions. An informative guide to National Parks we may have never considered visiting before. Awakens curiosities never imagined about many places.

This is a wonderful book if you like the unexplained. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I have this book its cool it gives you an insight on places that you would love to explore and take pictures of as you go.

The book is an easy read.

It gives a different take on National Parks and will give you directions to go see the areas discussed in the book.

Had I known Pennsylvania (the 5th largest state in the union) would not have one listing in this book, I certainly would not have not wasted my money on buying it since--more than likely--I won't be able to visit the parks that are mentioned; I am deeply disappointed. I should have looked for it in the bookstore, so I could have read the table of contents first.
However, having said that, the book is extremely well written, fun and intriguing. It is well organized and has an easy-to-read font. Ms. Lankford has a knack for story-telling and as a hike advisor.
I hope next book, she stops in the Keystone state! (And, next time--please LIST the parks written about in the description!)
Thanks.