Customer Reviews

Hikernut's Grand Canyon Companion: A Guide to Hiking & Backpacking the Most Popular Trails into the Canyon: Bright Angel, South Kaibab & North Kaibab Trails

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you like to hike, I highly recommend this book even if you are not planning a trip into the Grand Canyon.

Having ventured off the beaten path through the woods of New England, and flown over the Grand Canyon, I was interested in reading an easily digested book about hiking the GC; Mr. Lane has written, in my opinion, a winner.

Mr. Lane provides information about the trails, recommended equipment, the canyon and its history and hazards (as well as how to avoid them), necessary permits and generally how to have the most pleasant experience possible. He even provides charts of expected temperatures and sunrise/sunset times, as well as taking a few "side steps" to briefly describe a few of his experiences. Finally, the maps that populate the book are useful, and Mr. Lane is obviously a keen photographer.

The book is aptly named and perfectly sized to actually be carried during the hikes so there is no need to read and try to remember; take the book with you.

Excellent book, answers lots of questions ranging from temperatures, sunrise/sunset times, elevation gain, appropriate equipment and trail conditions to what to eat (and avoid eating) and how to avoid health problems and how to treat them if they occur. Although for a trip to Phantom Ranch (our plan) one wants to consult a number of sources, this is the best I've seen so far at answering questions. Practical, easy reading and worth more than the price.

I would have expected a guide as well done as this to be twice the price. The author has taken some stunning photographs and backed them up with consise trail information. Makes me want to go back again soon. Excellent book.Hikernut's Grand Canyon Companion - A Guide to Hiking and Backpacking the Most Popular Trails Into the Canyon: Bright Angel, South Kaibab & North Kaibab Trails

"Hikernut's Grand Canyon Companion" combines the beauty, reverence and heart-opening joy of a National Geographic-like photo shoot with a commonsense, informational and inspirational format. Its fresh, direct and folksy style suggests the humor and etiquette required to live peaceably in nature among our four-legged (and two-legged) brothers and sisters. Brian Lane is a straight arrow and this one hits the target.

Be prepared to shift through several brainwave states as Lane is a right/left kind of guy who moves easily from the poetic to the practical. If you get sidetracked while studying his evocative photos have no fear. A very comprehensive Index and Table of Contents will bring you gently back to your subject matter. He encourages the reader as well as cautions, modeling the type of initiative and soberness required for entering into a wilderness experience with the Grand Canyon. The reader feels as if he/she is walking down the trail with him. At certain junctures Lane swats the reader like a Mama Bear reminding him/her to keep respect for the wilderness, make a minimal impact and stay safe.

To those who still heed Colin Fletcher's advice to "take care of the ounces and the pounds will take care of themselves," Hikernut's Grand Canyon Companion is a gem that should be tucked into every backpack that descends into the glorious, majestic Grand Canyon. The paper has a lovely sheen that stands up to backcountry handling. It also makes Lane's photos pop and entice.

Armchair travelers and hiking nuts alike will enjoy Brian Lane's fun-packed volume--it's a real gourmet trail mix!

I bought this book, another book and detailed map of the canyon before hiking. This book and the maps I actually took with me while hiking. It is an easy read and was a great source while down in the canyon for determining what hike to do during the day. One of the trails was closed while I camped at Bright Angel. Pulled out this book and was able to make adjustments and pick a new trail. Wonderful to have since it was so little but good information.

This little book discusses basic tactics of hiking in the Grand Canyon. Maps of the three maintained trails are accurate, but lacking in detail. It fits into one's pack and is worth the price.

We were in the Grand Canyon in August 2008 and must concur with the other reviewers - this is an excellent guide that gives you all the information you need to hike the North and South Kaibab or Bright Angel Trails. The maps are well done, the elevation map / trail profile is invaluable (distance and altitude cross-section), and the description of each section of each trail (including facilities or lack thereof) is precisely what we experienced.

The book is easy to carry along in the backpack or fanny-pack - my only suggestion would be to make the actual binding and paper a bit more pliable / fold-able (a minor nit).

I had also purchased the Grand Canyon Trail Map (Schulte) but did not use it (actually gave it away to a group we ran into on the trail). There is nothing wrong with the map - it was easy to read, seemed accurate on the primary trails, had a useful elevation guide, and was printed on excellent paper - but we found the Hikernut guide more insightful on the 3 trails it covers. Note the map was much more thorough and included several trails not mentioned by Lane in Hikernut though we did not explore any of these other trails. If you do not plan to go beyond either of the two Kaibab trails or the Bright Angel Trail, hard to go wrong with this book.

Highly recommended.

Brian Lane presents clear and concise information on hiking in the Grand Canyon. The fact that he has focused on the Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and North Kaibab trails--the popular trails to Phantom Ranch--is a boon to anyone going on their first backpacking trip in the Canyon. With his book you learn the necessary info to have an enjoyable and successful journey into the mile-deep gorge. His detailed and easy-to-read text provides info from his years of experience about your drinking water requirements, protection from the sun, conditioning prior to the hike, and desert safety. Lane's beautiful photographs of many of the scenes along way is a pleasant bonus--his fine art quality photos are stunning. Lane has created a classic backpacking guide book with the specific aim to get people into the Canyon--and back out again--while having fun.
Grand Canyon: The Vault of HeavenThe Fun Guide to Exploring Grand Canyon National Park (Grand Canyon Association)Grand Canyon Map and Guide[[ASIN:189386099X

I am not a hiker but found the book to be very informative regarding the Grand Canyon. I have visited the Canyon and found out more about it from this book than I did at the site, itself. I can't think of any tips for hikers that the author has omited. A very good read.

This is a great book for anyone wanting to hike the Grand Canyon. Common sense which we all don't always use and a very easy read. Wonderful photography and great maps. Great Book!!!!