Customer Reviews

101 Hikes in Southern California

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've test-hiked 7 or 8 of Jerry's hikes. His descriptions and directions are quite accurate. Now I've only got 90-something left to go!

I grew up in SoCal, and found it easy to get into a rut, always hiking in the same places, only during the summer. This book provides interesting hikes in the coastal foothills for the spring and autumn, hikes in the desert for the winter, and mountain hikes for the summer.

His descriptions of the hikes allow the reader to match their adventure to their level of physical fitness. He includes enough information to determine how much water should be carried and even whether to bring the point-n-shoot camera or the 35mm SLR with a macro lens for wildflowers.

Whether you're new to the area and want a few good hikes, or a long-time native looking to break out of a rut, this book is for you. (I even find it enjoyable armchair reading, the fantasies about being on the trail are fun!)

My wife and I lived in LA for a few years. Along the way we happened upon 101 hikes, and it changed our lives. Schad's (or Jerry as we called him) writing is descriptive, eloquent, and full of excellent advice for the casual and professional hiker. We loved San Jacinto Peak, Mt Baden Powell, and Paradise Cove...be careful of the Pothole...neglect has made this trail nonnegotiable for the average outdoor lover. In our estimation 101 Hikes belongs next to a So. Cal resident's Thomas Guide. (We have 61 left!!!, thanks Jerry)

Jerry Schad knew what he was doing when he wrote this book. He introduces a number of trails that are both well known and some trails that are more hidden. He answers every question you can possibly have about each trail. They are rated and described in detail so any hiker of any level can find the "right" hike. The next best thing to actually hiking the trail is to read about it. His beautiful descriptive review of each trail is capturing and his careful attention to details of each hike is a definite plus. He didn't miss a thing in this book. Read it! It's definitely worth buying!

This is a good hiking book to have along with the Robinson California hiking bibles. Jerry Schad is an experienced hiker who has done all the hikes described within the text. He has a nice little ranking system for each journey, from ranges from one star for easy treks and 4 stars for the strenuous ones. I do think his ranking system is just a trifle soft. Some of the hikes that get 4 stars aren't really that difficult, nor do they have exceptional elevation gains. But this is a minor criticism.

The maps are OK, nothing exceptional, but he does adequately describe how to drive to each trailhead. As all hikers know, this can make or break a hike, especially ones you've never before attempted. Schad does a good job in getting you to the trailhead with the least amount of hassle. There is an over-abundance of hikes in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains and not a particular emphasis on the better hiking adventures in the San Bernardino wilderness areas. His descriptions of two classic Southern California hikes are both flawed, however: the venerable San Gorgonio is described only from the Vivian Creek trailhead and (a more egregious omission)- the Mt. Baldy hike is described only from the ski lift way. The other approaches to Baldy are much superior, but are omited. This is a curious error.

All in all, a good book and one which every hiker in the L.A. area should own.

Jerry Schad is the author of numerous outdoor recreation guides among which are his popular 'Afoot and Afield' books for Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties. This book includes favorite hikes from all three of the previous guides, and a few others from Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

What makes Schad's guides so terrific are the rating system he gives each hike (1-5 stars, based on difficulty) and the nice sketch maps he provides. Tables at the end of the book help one to easily locate a trails with varied physical features. Finally, like all Wilderness Press guides, this one is full of natural history and a fun read.

If this book can be faulted at all, it is that it draws too much material from Schad's previous works. Relatively little space is devoted to the San Bernardino and San Jacinto ranges (5 hikes and 3 hikes respectively). Both of these areas deserve more detailed coverage. Perhaps Schad can be induced to write another book. Until then, this guide gives an excellent survey of some of the best hiking Southern California has to offer.

I found the book to have a generally good overview of hikes in the So Cal area, but was really hoping there would be more in Orange County. It centers around the LA area a little more than I would like... but then again it is a SOUTHERN California book and not an OC one ;)
The directions to each of the trails so far are quite accurate, except for one. On the directions to Holy Jim Falls (the waterfall that is pictured on the cover) it says the dirt road up to the parking area is OK for passenger cars. Being the owner of a passenger car... and that I tried to make this trip, I would say this is false and WOULD NOT reccomend it! We only made it half way, hiked a bit, and then turned back. We have taken the trip since in other more fit cars for the road without a problem....
But aside from that, the hikes are accurate, the maps are homely but helpful, and the book is entertaining enough to read. Surely each hiker in or coming to So Cal should have a copy.

A bunch of great hikes for ALL fitness/experience levels. If you are 100 pounds over weight and want to start hiking there are plenty of hikes you can do!! don't let being out of shape scare you away from some of southern california's most beautiful scenery!

Of all the books I have on hiking, this is one of the best. This gives you a good number of hikes to choose from and the hikes are broken down into areas. The basic information at the beginning of the description is pretty good and there is a good variety of hikes listed. I was looking for a book that would give me some overnight hikes, and while this book doesn't list them that way, they do help you figure out which ones you can modify to do as an overnight.

Great Book with clear information of how to get to the trails, maps and sites along the trails. I started with #1 trail on the book which turn to be an excellent beginners hike with a 70FT waterfall in the middle. I have tried using other books but they where not as clear or good. This book prepares you for the hikes so good from the type of shoes to wear, if you can bring your dog, if it's suitable for kids or family. it indicates the tree types the time it takes, overall a must book for hikers in southern California.

The author did his homework in coming up with a great compendium of great hikes all over SoCal.
Highly recommended for all hikers in the area.