Customer Reviews

The Best Hikes of Colorado (Binder edition) (Altitude Superguides)

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Having used this book to take just over half of the hikes it discusses, I highly recommend it to someone new to Colorado. I'm in the military and I have only 2-3 years in each duty location. So, when I saw this book, I bought it and have used it extensively so far. I have only a couple of minor points to make about it, however. The author never reveals how she "grades" her hikes, and I strenuously disagree with 3 of the grades she doled out to particular hikes. The Pitkin Lake hike (near Vail) is by no means an "easy" hike--at best it's a high-moderate to low-strenuous! Also, the Rock Creek (also near Vail) hike is by no means one of the 40 best hikes Colorado has to offer. In fact, I'm baffled when trying to think why she might've included it in her book. Finally, the Three Island Lakes hike (near Steamboat Springs) is by no means a strenuous hike. At worst, it's a moderate. Still, the book has led me to THE most spectacular scenery I've ever seen, and I credit the author for that. I do wish she revealed the time of year she took these hikes, in addition to other hikes she took before coming to her conclusions. However, I will always be grateful to her for providing me with a valuable tool for finding some of the most beautiful places on Earth. I certainly don't regret buying the book, and in fact, I've given it as a gift many times. I've bought 2 copies for myself, having worn the first copy out in just two years. Another note: buy the binder edition. It has removable pages for taking the portion of the book that deals with the hike you want to take, avoiding your having to pack the entire tome around with you. Just slide the two or three applicable pages into the plastic cover (included with the binder edition), and off you go!

If your planning on doing some hiking in the Southern rockies of Colorado this is a great resource.

The author has listed some rxcellent hikes in different regions throughout the state. The hikes include complete descriptions and maps so that you can get a look at the area. In addition there are thorough descriptions of how to access the trailheads. Of course if you obtain a USFS or NPS map of the area you could find these trailheads without turn by turn descriptions.

Another plus are the numerous sections describing local plant life, animal life, and historical places.

The only problem I had is that it left out a lot of hikes in the areas it covers. I would highly recommend this book, I just wish there was more of it.