Customer Reviews

Hiking Las Vegas: 60 Hikes Within 60 Minutes of the Strip (Active Outdoor Pursuits)

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

 

 

"Hiking Las Vegas" is a good attempt to cover an area which is surprisingly devoid of guidebooks. This book covers hikes both on established trails and over unmarked routes. I was initially impressed by the number and variety of hikes that it contains -- far more than any of the older guide books for the area. After using this book for several of the trail hikes and unmarked routes, however, I was disappointed by its many shortcomings. My biggest complaint lies with the book's "maps," or, rather, its lack of maps. Line drawings are provided for most of the trail hikes; however, none of these "maps" are drawn to scale and are, consequently, of little use. Also, distances given to landmarks, trailheads, trail junctions, etc. do not seem to be too accurate. Stop at an area's visitor center for better directions and trail maps before heading out. The author states that "maps" are not provided for the routes because they would be of limited use. Instead the author uses black and white photographs, compass bearings, and landmarks as guides along the routes. Unfortunately, some of the photographs are not distinct (short ridges with scattered trees abound), compass bearings can be of little use if one is not standing in the same place as the author when he took the reading, and some ephemeral landmarks used by the author are indistinct and can change quickly (eg. downed logs). Although helpful, these techniques are no substitute for a well-drawn map (to scale!!!!!) which a hiker can then transfer over to a topographical map (anyone hiking off trail should carry one). Another problem is that the author's rating system for the hikes seems to be skewed for hard core endurance athletes. Taking children on some of the hikes designated for such by the author would result in some very tired, grouchy kids. Take these ratings with a grain of salt. Having used many guidebooks and done many hikes in the American southwest, the pacific northwest, and two other countries, I have to say that the shortcomings of "Hiking Las Vegas" put it near the bottom of my list of quality guidebooks.

This book provides instructions for many hikes around Las Vegas not described in other guides. I have hiked many of these trails and always find the guide's desciptions inadequate. In fact, while hiking Bridge Mountain, following the Guide's instructions lead my experienced partner and I into a very dangerous situation. I still use the guide, but know that I will have to use my trail finding experience to augment the book's trail descriptions.

I tried to use this book. However, the route descriptions are poor, and the author seems to have trouble telling north from south. There are too many errors to be typos. The area has some great hiking, and the book points out some good ideas, but be sure to take your topo map and compass! I thought about selling the book on half.com, but I would feel too guilty selling it to someone with less outdoor experience than I have.

This is the best -most detailed book about hiking around Las Vegas-both in Red Rock and the Mt Charleston area.
He also has a great website- hikinglasvegas.com
He really knows his stuff and has detailed descriptions as well as photos. If you're just starting or serious about hiking this has everything you need!

As a long time hiker in the Northeast, I have used the Appalacian Mountain Club guides for years. In comparison, the trail instructions in this book are poor. I recently hiked up Bridge Mountain. I am glad I hired a guide becuase the instructions in the book were insufficient.

I have hiked a lot in the Vegas area, and the first thing I noticed is that this book is not for first-timers! It is more useful for locating general spots to hike. It is very tough to follow the text and tiny B&W pictures to stay precisely on the trails. See if your library has a copy, or buy one used. It is worth a look and can be helpful.

Being a local of Las Vegas I have been to Red Rock Canyon several times. There are limited hiking trails. The author covers the trails, but does much more. There are many scrambles to peaks that without this book would be virtually impossible to get to. Unfortunately, the rangers at Red Rock want to ban this book. I guess they would rather be gambling than doing their jobs. Many rangers don't even know where named peaks are in Red Rock. My advice is to buy this book or visit the author's Web site (same name as the book) and forget stopping at the visitor's center for information.

HORRIBLE would be the best way to describe this book. If you want a book that will help you navigate the trails of Las Vegas, then this IS NOT the book for you. Two weeks ago we tried several of the Hikes and were lost within minutes. The direction are off and mis-leading! When one of the hikes says turn southwards at the fork in the road...we did. What it failed to say was that there was another fork in the road a few meters up the road. TOTALLY MIS-LEADING!

My daughter and I spent a week hiking in the Las Vegas area and bought this guide book and also "Hiking Southern Nevada" for help in choosing hikes that would work for the two of us, she being a young, vigorous and skilled scrambler, me a little older and slower. We found the Visitor's Center at Red Rock Canyon, their printed material, and the Ranger station at Mount Clarkston much more helpful than the guidebooks. The descriptions of the route were not helpful in keeping us oriented and the black and white photographs were confusing and at no point made the route clearer.

This is the only guidebook I have ever seen that describes routes (no trails) with elaborate photos and text. The author also covers all the trails in Mt. Charleston and Red Rock Canyon. The book appeals to novices as well as hardcore hikers, rock scramblers, and endurance athletes.