Day Hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Day Hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is a clear, concise guide to the best day hikes in these two adjacent national parks. These 61 day hikes will introduce you to the world's largest trees and some of the most impressive canyons, rock formations and panoramic overlooks found anywhere. Hikes range from easy to challenging, accommodating every level of experience.

From the Back Cover

Day Hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is a clear, concise guide to the best day hikes in these two adjacent national parks. These 61 day hikes will introduce you to the world's largest trees and some of the most impressive canyons, rock formations and panoramic overlooks found anywhere. Hikes range from easy to challenging, accommodating every level of experience. (5 1/2 x 8 1/2, 144 pages, maps)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Day Hike Books, Inc.; 1st edition (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573420301
• ISBN-13: 978-1573420303
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #615,881 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For beginners only, but still good, September 26, 2003

By	Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Many people who routinely hike in Yosemite inexplicably ignore her lesser known sister park to the South: majestic Sequoia. I have hiked in both parks for 15 years and Sequoia is an outstanding National Park, particularly for serious hikers seeking a challenge. Yosemite's Half Dome remains one of the most beautiful and "must do" hikes in California, but Alta Peak in Sequoia is comparable and its beauty is sheer majesty. You can get greater elevations in Sequoia and the alpine terrain, especially in the early summer, will remind you of Switzerland.

This Guidebook is exceptionally useful and small enough to carry with you in your pack as you hike. The maps are detailed, as are the driving directions to each trailhead. The descriptions of each hike are concise, yet sufficiently detailed to give you the feel of each hike before you attempt it. There is little superfluous information, which is a frequent complaint of other hiking books.

If you have never visited or hiked in Sequoia, you're in for the unexpected treat of a lifetime. The park is incomparably lovely and the hiking is among the best in the Western states. This guidebook will help you discover the wonders of this underrated National Park. One caveat: this book only deals with short hikes, suitable for people with a family. Don't expect anything over 5-6 miles.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for day hike planning but needs to be updated, June 26, 2006

By	Dean Baird (Sacramento, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just got back from a week in Sequoia/Kings Canyon.

I'm a fan of FalconGuides. The problem with FalconGuides is that they try to be everything to everyone. They include many more hikes, but several of them are "shuttle hikes," which require traveling with non-hikers or using multiple cars. If you're a fan of the shuttle hike, stay with Falcon. Then again, I doubt we will ever see the publication of a trail guide devoted to shuttle hikes. "Great Shuttle Hikes of the Rocky Mountains"? Don't look for it on Amazon!

Anyway, author Stone sticks to hikes that can be done by day hikers. No 45-mile, 9-day pack trips. Again, if that's what you're hoping for, Falcon is your guide. But if you're looking for a nice walk in the wilderness, Stone's got that covered. And there are a number of 6-mile or longer hikes. I hiked to Mist Falls (9 miles round trip).

That said, this volume is in serious need of an update. The General Sherman Tree area has been completely redesigned and now requires a significant walk. The Congress Trail is also farther from easy access than it once was. And the Kings Canyon entrance station has been moved away from a "dangerous tree" into the Big Stump parking lot. So for now, there's no parking for the Big Stump, Hitchcock Meadows, Viola Falls trails. Stone might also consider a description of the trail to Crystal Caves.

This is the book I took on the trail. (The FalconGuide was used, but it stayed at the lodge.)