55 Hikes Around Steven Pass: Wild Sky Area (100 Hikes In...) [Paperback]

Rick McGuire (Author), Ira Spring (Author, Photographer)

Book Description

Series: 100 Hikes In... | Publication Date: September 2003

Washington State has not added a new wilderness area since 1984—get the only guide devoted to the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness Area

· New addition to the popular 100 Hikes in™ series and companion to the successful 55 Hikes Around Snoqualmie Pass
· Details mile by mile the views along Stevens Pass Highway, a designated national scenic byway
· Political and grassroots support—including efforts by The Mountaineers Club—to designate the "Wild Sky Wilderness" is making headlines

About an hour from Seattle and Everett lies one of the most rugged wild landscapes in the Cascade Mountains: The Skykomish Wild Country (also known as "Wild Sky" country) in the heart of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, just north of the Stevens Pass Highway. The drama of the area’s steep mountains rising from rich, old growth forests is matched by few places on earth. This marks the first time a wilderness area would include lowland forests, valleys, and streams. Read about the natural history of the area, hike the trails from Everett/Seattle to Leavenworth, or simply enjoy the view along the drive with the guidebook sure to become a classic.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

RICK McGUIRE, a vocal advocate for creation of the Wild Sky Wilderness Area, is donating his royalties to the Alpine Lakes Protection Society. IRA SPRING, photographer, conservationist, and co-author of numerous titles in the 100 Hikes in™ series, is donating his royalties to the Spring Family Trail Trust. Both Spring and McGuire were key players in passage of the Washington Wilderness Act.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898869587
• ISBN-13: 978-0898869583
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,366,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Hiking Book Thoroughly Covers The Stevens Pass Area, October 9, 2003

By 

Nathan Jacobsen (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 55 Hikes Around Steven Pass: Wild Sky Area (100 Hikes In...) (Paperback)

With so many hiking guides out there that seem like recycled knockoffs of the old classics, it's good to see one written by someone who actually knows and cares about this area. Good to see that Mountaineers Books hiking guides still have a pro-environment point of view. The author clearly has opinions, and isn't afraid to state them. In the introduction section alone he manages to say more interesting things about the forests, fish and wildlife of the Cascades than you'll find in many entire books. And it's nice to finally have the whole of Hwy. 2 covered in just one book; hopefully they will manage to get it protected.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Spring classic, this time with spring hikes, May 22, 2006

By 

Poison Wood - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 55 Hikes Around Steven Pass: Wild Sky Area (100 Hikes In...) (Paperback)

I love all the Spring hiking books - the 100 Classic hikes, the Alpines Lakes version, and so forth. This book, unlike the others, offers several lower altitude hikes that are accessible in April and May (depending on the winter's snowfall). I strongly recommend it if you're frustrated with looking for hikes for the "shoulder season." The book has the usual good commentary, though I prefer Harvey Manning to Rick McGuire, and good pictures.

My only complaint is the authors' recommendation in the forward that hikers not bring their dogs but instead strike out cross-country and off-trail if they wish to hike with a dog. The dog may not miss the views, but the people certainly will, and many hikers are not skilled / experienced enough to successfully and safely hike off-trail.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Day Hikes Close to Home, October 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: 55 Hikes Around Steven Pass: Wild Sky Area (100 Hikes In...) (Paperback)

Most hiking guides are simply lists of trails with driving directions and trail descriptions. Anyone with a map can write one of those, and they're fine if you just want some exercise.
This book is interesting even if you're not looking for a trail. There is a lot of information about the natural (and political) history. The author clearly understands that you will have a richer experience if you hit the trail with some appreciation of what you'll see (and hopefully want to protect).
I liked the the invitation to try "off-trail" hiking. I really enjoyed the authors opinions on the Forest Service. I'm tired of guides that avoid controversy in the interest of sales. I was reminded of Harvey Manning.